By Michael Prochaska
Staff Writer
 
A probation agency is asking to rent the vacant building across the street from the Morgan County Courthouse, according to a leasing application.
The Board of Commissioners (BOC) met last Tuesday for a work session to discuss leasing the former BOC administrative building for $1,000 a month. The board came to a consensus to grant a three-year lease to Judicial Alternatives of Georgia but cannot approve a contract until its September meeting. The agency would “provide probation and other correctional services for certain defendants charged with or convicted of misdemeanor offenses in the courts of Morgan County,” according to the application.
The BOC also agreed to lease the property on which the Uncle Remus Regional Library System (URRLS) administrative building sits free of charge for 50 years in exchange for the services the URRLS provides.
In other news, the BOC was offered a “preferred partner program” with Heyward Allen Motor Company in Athens. The program would give staff and their immediate family members discounted prices on vehicles. BOC Chair Ellen Warren said the board would ask Youngblood Motors if the company would offer a similar deal.
A fiscal year 2011 audit presentation by Bates and Carter revealed revenue was higher than expenses that year by $1 million. Expenditures were under budget by about 1.9 percent or $271,000. Millage rates were “mid-range” compared to eight surrounding counties. Long-term debt was higher than other counties but ratio of debt service to revenue was lower than other counties. Representatives from the auditing firm said they are a year behind but are currently working on the 2012 audit. Fiscal year 2013 started July 1 of this year.

Printed in the August 30, 2012 edition