While still denying that a vote was held in closed session, the Banks County Board of Commission followed through by holding a vote in a Jan. 21 open meeting to hire John Creasy.
The vote was 2-1 to hire John Creasy as “temporary public safety director” for a period of 90 days effective Jan. 14. During this time, the position will be advertised and candidates will be interviewed. The salary for this position is $45,000.
BOC chairman Milton Dalton and commissioner Joe Barefoot voted in favor of this action, while commissioner Rickey Cain voted against it.
Cain said, “I was opposed to this because of our revenues being down.”
Cain said he came in two days after the closed meeting and asked that a purchasing and hiring freeze be put in place.
“I asked that we take a look at this in June during budget time,” Cain said.
Cain said he is concerned that the millage rate will have to be raised to overcome this.
“I don’t want to have to raise taxes three or four mills to overcome this,” Cain said.
Commissioner Barefoot said, “I don’t think any of us want our taxes to be raised but this is a need for the county.”
Banks County EMA/911 Director Deidra Moore asked what departments the public safety director would cover. BOC chairman Dalton said, “Fire and EMS only.”
Banks County resident, Bobby Caudell, asked the commissioners, “If this position is needed, why have we not had one before?”
Caudell said he is also concerned with Banks County taxes.
“I think we need to look at reducing in any way we can,” Caudell said.
Caudell said he didn’t understand why the commissioners have not been concerned with this position being open if it causes the county to be out of compliance.
Cain said that he “had not been made aware” of the fire department not being in compliance.
Dalton added that Creasy is not filling a new position.
“This was created approximately two years ago and was never filled,” Dalton said.
Barefoot said the money to pay for this position would come out of the fire department budget but the position was not a budgeted position. If fire chief Gary Pollard had not resigned on Jan. 19, the county would be paying his salary of $46,900 as well as the $45,000 for Creasy’s position.
Now there going to advertise for the position ???(rolling eys)
DING ! DING ! Ding ! Should have done that to start with Not try your good old boy backroom politics.
The BOC should appoint a 5 person committee to interview and recommend the candidate. Only then will the allegations of personal preference stop.