By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

Last week, the Morgan County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution pertaining to county employees’ 457b, which is an optional deferred compensation plan. The resolution required immediate adoption and ensures that the county follows new IRS rules.

County Manager Michael Lamar said that the county is not giving up local control and that the resolution is “just making sure we’re kosher with the IRS.”

They also voted to sell a surplus 1991 Chevrolet S-10 truck during their special called meeting last week.

During their work session they heard from Morgan County 911 Director Bill Crew regarding the purchase of a new 911 recorder.
He said that a recorder lasts about five years and the one the county has is “showing its age” in that it has crashed a couple of times, been sent off for vendor repair, and the county IT Department has looked at it as well.

Of the three quotes, he recommended the one from Quality Recording Solutions out of McDonough. The first year of maintenance is included in the purchase and they offer support for the machine for seven years.

He noted that their recorder is “more robust” and can store three years worth of calls whereas their current recorder can only hold 12 to 13 months of calls. The newer technology has dual drives and can be connected to the county’s server system.

Joe Cardwell has reapplied for his position on the Planning Commission. He is finishing out an unexpired term vacated when Tom Joiner resigned last year.

Commissioner Andy Ainslie noted that Cardwell has just started and recommended that they continue to use his experience and training. Planning and Zoning Director Chuck Jarrell also recommended Cardwell.

During the commissioners’ liaison reports, Donald Harris said that ACTION, Inc. is doing well and that its debt is at the lowest it has been at in 10 years. They are still giving money to help pay for heat but the amount is down this year.

Harris added that the Morgan County Recreation Department plans to hold a Town Hall meeting in November. Also, the Rec. Department has begun a dialogue with the Madison Area Youth Soccer Association (MAYSA) and has elected Russell Carter to serve as their new chairman.
He also noted that the Oconee River Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) has farm equipment available for rent.

Mack Bohlen shared that the contractors working at Stanton Springs are grading and getting ready to build pads. They are done grubbing and are on schedule.

Chairwoman Ellen Warren asked if local contractors were being hired. Bohlen said that the contractors are putting out fliers for people to bid.
Warren then asked about road paving and Bohlen said that that would be done in three to four years.
Ronald Milton said that he has visited department heads, met staff and learned about what they do. 

Warren asked him if he had spoken to Linda Thoman about being a citizen representative to the Northeast Georgia Regional Solid Waste Authority. Milton responded that Thoman was reluctant but that she may serve for an interim period, not long-term.

Milton also shared that a local farmer has asked about the commissioners meeting with a group of farmers from the region for a roundtable discussion. Warren said that would be wonderful and that they are willing to do “anything we can do to encourage farming in our community.”
Jarrell reported that Planning and Zoning is reorganizing its ordinance to “streamline it” and also is adding agricultural uses from last year’s forums.

At the end of the meeting, Warren welcomed comments from the public. One man, James Edwards, asked about getting another turning lane near Roads and Bridges. He said that one time he saw a woman on her cell phone and typing on her computer who drove right past him.
“She never saw me,” he said.

Warren agreed that it can be a difficult place to turn and that they could see about applying to the Georgia Department of Transportation but that money is tight.

Fire Chief Mark Melvin said that the fire department is “doing well” and that they have about 130 volunteers with a class of 17 going through Firefighter One class now who will complete the course in January.

Printed in the October 25, 2012 edition