Commissioner to consider COLA and salary increases for staff during Thursday’s meeting
Featured, Featured Stories, News November 18, 2020
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – County commissioners will consider adoption of the FY 2021 budget with the approval to apply a two percent COLA increase as budgeted and to apply an increase of one percent to the Salary Range Schedule to maintain competitive salary ranges when they meet in a voting session Thursday (Nov. 19) at 5 p.m.
Other items to be considered under New Business include Conditional Use Permits (CUP) and Rezoning Requests for the following:
- Midwest Haybale Blinds, LLC – CP200013 – to operate an open storage yard on 2.791 acres currently zoned Agricultural District (A1). Property is located south of Francis Road, approximately 300 ft. east of the intersection with Clark Drive;
- Patriot Development, LLC – CP200020 – to operate an open storage yard with 37 parking spaces on 1.97 acres currently zoned Restricted Industrial District (M1) with variancesProperty is located approximately 300 ft. west of Ronald Reagan Boulevard approximately 325 ft. north of the intersection with Oak Industrial Lane;
- Chris Livesay – CP200021 – to operate an open storage yard with a residence for a night watchman in an existing 2,142 sq. ft. structure on 0.802 acres currently zoned Commercial Business District (CBD) with variances. Property is located at 832 Atlanta Highway, Cumming;
- Lizeth Cano – ZA3979 – to rezone from Lake Residential District (LR) to Agricultural District (A1) on 1.796 acres with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for an open storage yard associated with existing buildings totaling 1,125 sq. ft. with variance. Property is located approximately 350 ft. west of Little Mill Road, approximately 435 ft. north of the intersection with Browns Bridge Road;
- An agreement regarding 5225 Shadburn Road, PIN 254-022, acquisition of 0.86 acres from William Waite Family for a future access road;
- An agreement regarding 3910 Evans Road, Fire Station #4, PIN 031-058, GDOT acquisition of ROW for SR20;
- An agreement regarding 1605 Canton Highway PIN 099-055, Greenway Trailhead location, GDOT acquisition for SR20 (Canton Highway) Widening;
- An agreement regarding Canton Highway, PIN 064-036, Greenway Trail access to Canton Highway, GDOT acquisition for SR20 Widening.
The Old Business Agenda includes consideration of the following:
- The request for an Amendment of Zoning Conditions on ZA2915 (Coordinated Properties, Inc.) by Josef and Elizabeth Venable at 2430 Monet Drive, Cumming;
- Request by Fam Group, LLC – CP200011 – to operate a 100 sq. ft. vehicle sales dealership in an existing building with 3 parking spaces on 2.196 acres currently zoned Restricted Industrial District. Property is located at 915 Branch Drive, Suite 100, Alpharetta;
- Possible direction regarding Sketch Plat approval for RUS-AL (USA), Inc. and Variances to the UDC;
- Possible direction regarding RUS-AL (USA), Inc., CP190014, to operate an open storage yard with 133 parking spaces associated with existing buildings totaling 18,000 sq. ft. with 26 parking spaces on 6.680 acres currently zoned Restricted Industrial District (M1).
Commissioners will make a series of announcements and reports, including the following;
- Presentation of a Resolution to the Forsyth County Public Library Friends and Advocates who have been awarded the Fabulous Friends Award by the Friends of Georgia Libraries;
- Presentation of a Resolution recognizing those who celebrated the Festival of Diwali on November 14, 2020;
- Recognition of the 2020 Georgia Association of Water Professionals Awards received by the Department of Water and Sewer;
- Recognition of the Department of Engineering’s Roads and Bridges Division for its hard work and commitment to the Forsyth County community during Hurricane Zeta;
- Board recognition of Chris Grimes, Emergency Management Agency Director, for receiving the Charles F. Welch Citizenship Award;
A series of public hearings are scheduled for Thursday’s meeting, including:
- A Sketch Plat approval for Ronald Reagan Corners LLC – Parcel 132-029 – SP200009;
- The County-Initiated request to operate a vehicle sales dealership in an existing building on 2.074 acres currently zoned Commercial Business District (CBD) and variances to the UDC, Section 12-10.9, Section 12-10.15 and Table 17.1 – Parcel 234-024 – CP200031;
- Sketch Plat approval for Rochester & Associates, Inc. – Parcel 319-015 – SP200011;
- Proposed abandonment of public right of way in Southers Plantation Lane, as requested by Southers Plantation HOA, Inc.
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Board lowers Bond Millage with final approval of rates
News August 25, 2020
ELLIJAY, Ga. – A unanimous vote on Monday, August 24, 2020, saw the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners follow up on statements from last year where they discussed lowering the Bond Millage Rate in the county.
While they did not approve lowering the rate in 2019, many citizens have continued discussing and pushing for the reduction this year. A few have very vocally called for the reduction of the “extra half mill” that was put on the Bond Millage rate raising it from 1 to 1.5 mills. Additionally, the viral outbreak and subsequent shutdowns of counties and states cast a dark shadow on local economies and doubt for the financial future of Gilmer.
The Commissioners halted capital spending and major projects as they watched and waited to see just what kind of impact it would have, even delaying their pool project that has been underway for over a year now. The pool was closed at the beginning of May in 2019.
However, the last two months have shown quite the difference. Despite the cancellation of major events in the county and increasing numbers from the virus, recent reports show an increase in collections from tourism and SPLOST.
Whether this played a role in their decision, the commissioners did not say, but they did approve a drop in the bond millage rate by .25 mills, taking it from 1.5 to 1.25 mills.
The School-Board-approved millage rate of 13.963 was approved to be implemented by the Board of Commissioners. This is the Rollback Rate calculated for Gilmer County Schools as they have advertised over the past month since the July meeting. The Board of Education approved this rate last week during their regular August meeting.
They also moved forward with approval of the county’s M&O (Maintenance and Operations) Millage Rate of 6.783 mills. This is also a Rollback Rate calculated for the Board of Commissioners and advertised for the past month since their July Meeting.
County seeks to help farms to support recovery
Featured, Featured Stories, News June 23, 2020
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer’s Board of Commissioners made two approvals this week for farms to, as Chairman Charlie Paris said, “try to recover as quickly as possible.”
While Paris said they are looking at several areas of the county’s economy, two of the approvals in June focused solely on farms and agriculture including the first steps of a change and easing of the ordinance for Farm Wineries and a Resolution supporting the “Right to Farm Act” in legislation.
With local farm wineries, Paris said the only way the county can really help with this is through lessening regulations. To that end, the Commissioners voted to approve moving forward with advertising to change the ordinance to allow local wineries in the unincorporated parts of the county “to serve local Georgia craft beer in their tasting rooms. They would not be allowed to sell the beer packaged and there will be no Sunday sales.”
Post Commissioner Karleen Ferguson said, “I know that the winery owners have requested this for some time and we were waiting to bring it up and to see when the right time was. I do think it is a great time to put that gesture in… I also love the fact that we are restricting it to Georgia Craft beers, so it is not any of the name brand national or international brands.”
Gary Engel speaks to Commissioners in June of 2020 about easing the ordinance restrictions for local Farm Wineries and allowing craft beer sales of Georgia Craft Beers.
Gary Engel spoke to the Commissioners in the work session noting that a few wineries were represented in the audience. He said that other counties in the state are already selling beers. He also noted that it would not equate to a great surge in sales, but rather it allows a service to different tastes. Engel said that sometimes a couple will come up to listen to music, one doesn’t like wine but would enjoy a cold beer. He did say that the small increase in sales could aid in the wineries business as well.
He also said they are wanting to increase and pursue the business as Gilmer is increasing in popularity with these as well. Engel said, “From a perspective of the state, with the number of wineries that are going into Gilmer County, this county will soon be the most populated county, south of Virginia, with wineries.”
Additionally, the other approval for farms came in support of a legislative Act in Georgia, the “Right to Farm” Act. Paris said that lawsuits come often against farms as people move in nearby and then sue over the smells or noise. Paris explained that through discussions with farmers, he found that these are not often won, but are often filed and can be expensive to fight against in courts.
In support of local farmers and through discussions with them, Paris said that they asked for support for this Act in protection of some of what he called “nuisance lawsuits.”
The Act increases requirements to file lawsuits against farms according to Paris, in attempt to protect them from some of these filings.
The approval came for Resolution to support the Act at the state level in efforts to help it pass.
Gilmer BOC will hold April Regular meeting in person
News April 2, 2020
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Both cities and counties carry on amid the shutdown, and Gilmer is also moving forward in this time with their April meeting, but with a few changes.
Gilmer has already made changes over March as meetings saw a distancing line in the meeting room, and all meetings have been held in the Jury Assembly Room in the Gilmer County Courthouse. However, this month will see another change as the Board is only sending one agenda. Gilmer’s BOC will still meet is person, as of now, but will not be holding their usual work session.
Gilmer is continuing monitor situations during the shutdown and two agenda items stick out among the agenda as potential ramifications of the nations current situation.
Among the items is listed “Discussion and possible action to grant authority to the Tax Commissioner to waive Interest and Penalties” and “Discussion and possible action regarding the upcoming May General and Presidential Primaries.”
Elections have been a growing topic as we draw closer to May during a Presidential Election year which has, historically, been one of the highest turnout years for elections.
Not holding a work session, the public will be hearing discussion and votes in the same day for April. The rest of the meeting is set to proceed as normal with usual items like Citizens wishing to speak and the financial statement. The meeting will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2020, at 6 p.m., in the Jury Assembly Room of the Courthouse.
BOC Meeting called two days before Christmas
News December 16, 2019
ELLIJAY, Ga. – The Gilmer County Board of Commissioners are calling for one last meeting in 2019.
Next week will see a special called meeting for the board, but it will come two days before Christmas Day. The schedule sets the meeting to begin at 8:30 a.m. on the morning of December 23, 2019.
While the meeting agenda is set with only three items, it almost got bigger last week with the Board of Commissioners looking to add a few items tabled from their regular meeting.
With Public Works Director Jim Smith returning to the meetings after taking personal time, the Commissioners had originally tabled the Concrete Bid agenda item from November. Commission Chairman Charlie Paris asked to table the bid again until this meeting on December 23 to give Smith more time to analyze the bids. However, taking time as the meeting progressed Smith worked on the bid submissions to make sure to give the board an answer. The board wound up awarding the bid in the meeting and cancelling its addition to this meeting.
However, the meetings’ second addition did not get canceled as new information is arising from the agenda item to consider possible action to rent Airport space to the Georgia Forestry Commission. The board is taking extra time to investigate issues with the Forestry Commission’s previous rental space in Pickens and agreement details.
The meeting will go forward with three agenda items;
1.Discussion and possible action to rent Airport space to the Georgia Forestry Commission
2. Discussion and possible action on approval of an MOU with SORBA/IMBA
3. Resolution to Adopt the 2020 Budget.
Fannin County High School Hosts a Meeting about Vaping
Announcements, Community September 24, 2018
Announcement: Fannin County High School is hosting a meeting about vaping on Thursday, October 4th at 6:00pm at FCHS Performing Arts Center. Use the QR Code to submit questions!
Lt. Governor Cagle to Host Health Care Reform Task Force Meeting
State & National June 30, 2017
ATLANTA, June 30, 2017 – Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, along with Sens. Renee Unterman, Dean Burke, Chuck Hufstetler, Ben Watson, Kay Kirkpatrick, Jack Hill and Doc Rhett, will hold a meeting of Georgia’s Health Care Reform Task Force at Tift Regional Medical Center on MONDAY, July 10, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Members will discuss innovative reforms to advance Georgia as a national leader in delivering patient-centered health care.
The Task Force will be hear presentations from representatives of Tift Regional Medical Center, Emory University, and Dr. Keith J. Mueller, Interim Dean of the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa.
Who: Lt. Governor Casey Cagle
What: Georgia’s Health Care Reform Task Force Meeting
When: Monday, July 10th at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Tift Regional Medical Center
901 18th St. Tifton, GA 31794
BKP Interviews Georgia House Speaker David Ralston
State & National February 13, 2018
On FYN TV, BKP interviews Georgia’s District-7 Representative Speaker of the House (R-Blue Ridge) David Ralston, as they discuss President Trump’s aggressive plan for 1.5 trillion dollar infrastructure investment that was presented and highlighted at a meeting for Republican leaders including Ralston, Monday at the White House. Speaker David Ralston comments on what that means for Georgia.
Pictured below: Speaker of the House for Georgia District 7 David Ralston at this past weekends Infrastructure Meeting at the White House with Republican leaders and President Donald Trump.
Pesticide Safety Month and Apple Producers Meeting
Outdoors February 21, 2018
Hundreds of people get sick each year from inappropriate pesticide use. Pesticides are used in homes, workplaces, apartments, farms and other places where humans need to control pests such as weeds, insects, fungi, rodents and even viruses. Of the 11 states participating in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) pesticide safety program, workers reported 853 serious injuries from pesticides in 2011. During National Pesticide Safety Education Month this February, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension personnel are urging homeowners, and all Georgians, to learn more about the safe use, storage and disposal of pesticides.
According to Dr. Mickey Taylor, UGA Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) Coordinator, “pesticide safety education is key to helping homeowners and pesticide applicators, both commercial and agricultural, safely and effectively use available pesticides to protect their homes and crops and livelihoods. At the same time, they want to protect themselves, their employees and colleagues from any potential ill effects of pesticide use in addition to protecting their families and neighbors. As good stewards of the land, pesticide users want to preserve our environment for the future.”
UGA Extension’s PSEP promotes the safe, responsible use of pesticides by individuals and commercial groups by providing training programs, materials and educational resources covering pest identification, personal safety, safe storage and disposal of pesticides, environmental protection, pesticide drift and runoff prevention, threatened and endangered species protection, water quality protection, and food safety.
One way that UGA Extension reinforces safe pesticide usage is to conduct workshops, meetings, and trainings in which pesticide usage and safe handling is taught. One such course coming up is the North Georgia Commercial Apple Production meeting. It will be held on Wednesday, February 21st at the Gilmer County Public Library on Calvin Jackson Drive in Ellijay. There are other regional trainings held for producers. If you would like information about those trainings, contact me in the Gilmer County UGA Extension office.
Dr. Taylor is also the editor of the UGA Extension “Georgia Pest Management Handbook.” The handbook is revised and published annually. It has information about labeled pesticides that can be used by homeowners and commercial producers. Copies of the handbook are available for purchase through the UGA market place at ugaextensionstore.com and there are copies in the UGA Extension county offices if you would like to view one before purchase. Remember to always read the label before you use or store any pesticide.
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Georgia Governor Candidate Visits FYNTV
Election, Politics February 20, 2018BKP Interviews GA Candidate for Governor, and Secretary of State Brian Kemp. Among many topics, Kemp discusses immigration, Georgia voting machines, paper ballots, pay for law enforcement, and what Kemp’s opinion of the negotiations to bring Amazon HQ2 for Georgia.
Sen. David Lucas to Host Second Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting
State & National August 7, 2017
MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Ines Owens, Director
Elisabeth Fletcher, Communications Specialist
[email protected]
404.656.0028
Sen. David Lucas to Host Second Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting
ATLANTA (August 7, 2017) | Sen. David Lucas (D – Macon) will hold a two-day Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting to discuss broadband, healthcare, telecommunications and developing tourism TOMORROW from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and WEDNESDAY from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. The meeting will be held at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega.
WHO: Sen. David Lucas and Rural Georgia Study Committee Members
WHAT: Two-day Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, August 8, 2017
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
WHERE: University of North Georgia
Continuing Education Center in Dahlonega
25 Schultz Avenue
Dahlonega, GA 30597
Sen. David Lucas, Sr. represents the 26th Senate District, which includes portions of Bibb, Houston and Jones Counties and all of Hancock, Twiggs, Washington and Wilkinson Counties. He may be reached at 404.656.5035 or by email at[email protected].
Sen. David Lucas to Host Second Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting
State & National August 2, 2017
Sen. David Lucas to Host Second Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting
ATLANTA (August 2, 2017) | Sen. David Lucas (D – Macon) will hold a two-day Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting to discuss broadband, healthcare, telecommunications and developing tourism on August 8, 2017, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and August 9, 2017, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. The meeting will be held at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega.
WHO: Sen. David Lucas and Rural Georgia Study Committee Members
WHAT: Two-day Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, August 8, 2017
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
WHERE: University of North Georgia
Continuing Education Center in Dahlonega
25 Schultz Avenue
Dahlonega, GA 30597