The Decatur County Board of Commissioners
February 23, 2010

Ray Harrell was so concerned with the serious litter problem on Fowlstown Road that he and his wife planned to pick up the litter themselves and bag it up.

At left Ray Harrell waits for a response. 
However, when he called the County, he did not get the answer he really expected - you have to take the trash to the dump yourself or pay for a trash container to be picked up.

"If I am willing to pick it up, pile it up, no one is willing to pick it up." Mr Harrell stated and waited for a commissioner to respond.  With no response said, "You gentleman can't comment on that?"  Commissioner Mosely broke the "no response rule" and responded.

Mr Harrell was assured that someone would pick up the highway litter that he picks up.  He will speak with Tom Patton on Wednesday to resolve the issue.

Commissioner Mosely continued, saying "We gotta start writing some tickets and stop some of this stuff." and noted that there is a $100 fine for littering.

Barbara Parsons, Administrative Assistant, gave FEMA/GEMA a update (announced Aug 2009).  She stated that 11 properties qualify for the program, a 75% FEMA buyout.  One qualification was the property must have been flooded 3 times, which precluded one property owner, Richard Jordan.

"Here we go again" stated Richard Jordan (at left),
Speaking as quickly as he could, Mr Jordan addressed the fact that Slough Loop Road, which is still washed out from the last flood, will be built back the same way as it was in the past.

He pointed out that another 100 year flood, of which we have had 3 in recent years, would again destroy the road.  FEMA will not fund any additional money to correct the situation - thought to be based on a cost/benefit analysis.  Flood damage to people's property and the road is not a significant enough to justify additional dollars.

Tabled Timber Harvest Ordinance.  See Ordinance 
Consideration of a Timber Harvest Ordinance generated a number of comments Tuesday evening, some bordering on very angry. After comments from local timber harvesters, the ordinance was tabled until next meeting in an attempt to make the process better.

Commissioners were told the timber industry did not need any more burdens or costs added in an already tough time.  The ordinance requires that a permit be submitted to the tax assessors office, at no cost, before any timber is harvested. 

Several speakers were very upset with the proposed ordinance with one speaker stating that "This is another step that is going to take away from my day, and take away from my children, the hours I don't get to spend with them already."

Another speaker noted that the roads to be traveled must be included on the application, saying that sometimes drivers go home for the night before traveling to the mill so that would have to be included.

The ordinance is meant to help assure all taxes are paid on all timber harvested.  In addition, Public Works Director Dennis Medley stated that at times roads are being damaged.  He noted a recent situation where the timber was being dragged down a dirt road and then across a pave road.  The ordinance makes the harvester responsible for any infrastructure damage.

It was noted that the filing already required by the State of Georgia was not available to the county for over a year, thus the need for a local filing.  The county's ability to know who is harvesting timber, when and where, is necessary.

Obviously the lack of accessibility of records from the State and Federal government only shifts the burden down to the county level.  Today's technology must make records more available to gain better efficiency and accountability.

Approved proceeding to Close Sanders-Lambert Road and revert property back to the original owner.

Awarded Contract to Renovate Voting Precincts to MNG Construction, Inc. of Valdosta for $ 45,745.
Other Bids
Georgia Builders  $ 115,903
Flint River Homes  $ 80,900

Accepted $49,601 grant from State of Georgia to bring voting facilities up to ADA standard

Approved Alcoholic Beverage License for Mandy Weathersby

Acknowledged Financial Reports for January 2010

Executive Session:  Personnel and Litigation
No Action on Litigation
Sandra Brown was appointed to the DEFACs Board.  She is employed by the Decatur County Board of Education and is presently serving as a CASA volunteer.

Commissioner Butch Mosely not allowed to speak.

Adjourn