A woman was shot in the leg Saturday night in downtown Homer at a residence behind city hall.
The shooting occurred around 8:30 p.m., during the same time the annual Holiday Festival was under way in the downtown Homer area.
The Banks County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an aggravated assault at a York Street, Homer, residence. A female received a gunshot wound to her leg.
No arrests have been made. Sheriff Charles Chapman said the woman “gave several stories.” The woman was treated and released from an area hospital.
BOC allocates $175,000 for economic development
The Banks County Board of Commissioners agreed in a meeting on Aug. 9 to allocate $175,000 to be used by the economic development department.
No discussion was held on how the money would be spent.
In other financial matters, the BOC approved a $11.7 million budget for 2012, which is down $687,000 over the current budget. The budget was discussed in several earlier meetings. A budget hearing was also held earlier to receive citizen input on the proposed budget but no one attended.
In other business at the brief meeting on Aug. 9, the BOC lifted a hiring freeze to allow a part-time public transportation driver to be hired. The BOC also discussed lifting the hiring freeze in order to hire a part-time technology assistant but decided to postpone this action.
No discussion was held on how the money would be spent.
In other financial matters, the BOC approved a $11.7 million budget for 2012, which is down $687,000 over the current budget. The budget was discussed in several earlier meetings. A budget hearing was also held earlier to receive citizen input on the proposed budget but no one attended.
In other business at the brief meeting on Aug. 9, the BOC lifted a hiring freeze to allow a part-time public transportation driver to be hired. The BOC also discussed lifting the hiring freeze in order to hire a part-time technology assistant but decided to postpone this action.
Rudeseal resigns from Baldwin council
Baldwin council member Sandi Rudeseal has resigned from the city council.
At the conclusion of Thursday’s council work session meeting, Rudeseal read a prepared statement tendering her resignation from the council effective Aug. 8.
Rudeseal served in post 2. Her term expires Dec. 31, 2011.
Rudeseal reported she checked with city attorney David Syfan and was told that a special election is not needed since she doesn’t have more than 180 days left to serve.
“During my time in this position of service, I have seen many things accomplished that some said could not be done,” she said. “Most recently, we ended the 2010 fiscal year with a $32,000 surplus and are projected to end the 2011 fiscal year in the black again with a larger reserve – over $150,000. Another 40K is budgeted for the 2012 fiscal year totaling $222,000 by 6-30-12.”
Rudeseal also mentioned the millage rate reduction that the council discussed during the work session.
“And we have given the city employees a two percent cost of living raise,” she said. “With the staff we have in place now, I feel confident that the city will move forward with great strides and I look forward to watching the city grow and prosper. I regrettably must tender my resignation from the city council effective Monday, Aug. 8, 2011, due to no longer being able to serve in the capacity in which I once could … On the bright side, this will free up approximately $1,300 in the general fund. Council, please use it wisely. I know you will.”
At the conclusion of Thursday’s council work session meeting, Rudeseal read a prepared statement tendering her resignation from the council effective Aug. 8.
Rudeseal served in post 2. Her term expires Dec. 31, 2011.
Rudeseal reported she checked with city attorney David Syfan and was told that a special election is not needed since she doesn’t have more than 180 days left to serve.
“During my time in this position of service, I have seen many things accomplished that some said could not be done,” she said. “Most recently, we ended the 2010 fiscal year with a $32,000 surplus and are projected to end the 2011 fiscal year in the black again with a larger reserve – over $150,000. Another 40K is budgeted for the 2012 fiscal year totaling $222,000 by 6-30-12.”
Rudeseal also mentioned the millage rate reduction that the council discussed during the work session.
“And we have given the city employees a two percent cost of living raise,” she said. “With the staff we have in place now, I feel confident that the city will move forward with great strides and I look forward to watching the city grow and prosper. I regrettably must tender my resignation from the city council effective Monday, Aug. 8, 2011, due to no longer being able to serve in the capacity in which I once could … On the bright side, this will free up approximately $1,300 in the general fund. Council, please use it wisely. I know you will.”
BOC budget vote set Tuesday; Proposed budget down $687,000
The Banks County Board of Commissioners will vote Tuesday on a proposed $11.7 budget, which is down $687,000 over the current budget. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the county annex.
A budget hearing was held this Tuesday night to receive citizen input on the proposed budget but no one attended.
In other business at the meeting this Tuesday night, the BOC:
•heard a presentation from Bruce Nicholson of KCI Technologies on providing asset management services to the county. This would include studying and making recommendations on road and bridge needs and improvements, including monitoring the changing paving condition and prioritizing when repairs are needed. The company would also recommend long-term maintenance plans and conduct drainage and structure inspections. No action was taken on the proposal.
•approved the group health insurance contract with United Healthcare.
•approved a $340,268 road patching contract with Carnes Construction.
•awarded the audit contract to Duncan and Kitchens, who had the low bid of $40,250.
•gave the chairman approval to sign off on the ACCG contribution adoption agreement resolution.
•lifted the hiring freeze.
•met in closed session five minutes with county attorney Randal Frost to discuss litigation.
A budget hearing was held this Tuesday night to receive citizen input on the proposed budget but no one attended.
In other business at the meeting this Tuesday night, the BOC:
•heard a presentation from Bruce Nicholson of KCI Technologies on providing asset management services to the county. This would include studying and making recommendations on road and bridge needs and improvements, including monitoring the changing paving condition and prioritizing when repairs are needed. The company would also recommend long-term maintenance plans and conduct drainage and structure inspections. No action was taken on the proposal.
•approved the group health insurance contract with United Healthcare.
•approved a $340,268 road patching contract with Carnes Construction.
•awarded the audit contract to Duncan and Kitchens, who had the low bid of $40,250.
•gave the chairman approval to sign off on the ACCG contribution adoption agreement resolution.
•lifted the hiring freeze.
•met in closed session five minutes with county attorney Randal Frost to discuss litigation.
Classes start Thursday in Banks schools
Banks County students will return to the classroom on Thursday for the first day of class.
The projected enrollment is 2,925 for the 2011-12 school year, up about 25 students over the 2010-11 total.
The school calendar will have back five more school days for kids, bringing the total days in class to 175.
“We look forward to returning for a new year and sustaining a history of excellence,” superintendent Chris Erwin said.
The projected enrollment is 2,925 for the 2011-12 school year, up about 25 students over the 2010-11 total.
The school calendar will have back five more school days for kids, bringing the total days in class to 175.
“We look forward to returning for a new year and sustaining a history of excellence,” superintendent Chris Erwin said.
Baldwin approves budget in split vote
In a 3-2 vote, the Baldwin City Council approved its budget Monday night.
The total fiscal year 2012 general fund budget revenues are $1.52 million with expenditures totaling $1.48 million. The total enterprise funds revenues are $3.07 million for 2012 with expenses at $3.12 million.
Council members Rodney King and Beverly Holcombe voted against the budget, while Sandi Rudeseal, Robert Bohannon and Jeff Parrish voted in favor of it.
The general fund budget includes a $60,000 salary for the city administrator’s position with human resources and finance director Karen Degges being promoted to this position effective Aug. 1.
The proposed general fund budget also includes a new position for a part-time revenue officer/animal control officer at $14.50 per hour.
A budget hearing was held last week but no citizens attended.
In other financial business, a discussion was held on the possibility of lowering the millage rate by a quarter of a percent. No action was taken but this will be discussed further at the August work session.
Degges also presented information on the Habersham County tax digest where assessments are down $3 million.
The total fiscal year 2012 general fund budget revenues are $1.52 million with expenditures totaling $1.48 million. The total enterprise funds revenues are $3.07 million for 2012 with expenses at $3.12 million.
Council members Rodney King and Beverly Holcombe voted against the budget, while Sandi Rudeseal, Robert Bohannon and Jeff Parrish voted in favor of it.
The general fund budget includes a $60,000 salary for the city administrator’s position with human resources and finance director Karen Degges being promoted to this position effective Aug. 1.
The proposed general fund budget also includes a new position for a part-time revenue officer/animal control officer at $14.50 per hour.
A budget hearing was held last week but no citizens attended.
In other financial business, a discussion was held on the possibility of lowering the millage rate by a quarter of a percent. No action was taken but this will be discussed further at the August work session.
Degges also presented information on the Habersham County tax digest where assessments are down $3 million.
BOC ‘dismisses’ personnel officer
Long-time personnel officer Judy Greer was fired last week by the Banks County Board of Commissioners after a 30-minute closed session.
The BOC met in closed session to discuss personnel after Greer read over 12 issues she has had, including concerns over the selection of a health insurance provider for the county. The county recently changed from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia to United Healthcare.
Greer had asked at the meeting to be transferred to an open clerical position at the sheriff’s office. Instead, the commissioners unanimously voted after the closed session to “dismiss’ Greer, who had served as the county’s personnel officer for seven years.
Sheriff Charles Chapman, who handles personnel decisions for his department, later hired Greer to fill the clerical position.
At last week’s BOC meeting, commissioner Charles Turk said that he had asked Greer for bids for health insurance coverage and he did not receive them.
“We asked for three independent brokers,” Turk said. “We didn’t want three insurance plans from one broker. We asked for different brokers. We are talking about $1 million from our budget. I think the citizens deserve independent bids from more than one broker.”
Greer responded, “Never once did you ask me.”
Commissioners Ernest Rogers and Sammy Reece said they had also asked that bids be taken on the insurance coverage.
Greer also outlined her concerns with the representative of the new insurance company.
“I’ve never experienced a situation like I did with Mr. Christopher,” she said.
The BOC met in closed session to discuss personnel after Greer read over 12 issues she has had, including concerns over the selection of a health insurance provider for the county. The county recently changed from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia to United Healthcare.
Greer had asked at the meeting to be transferred to an open clerical position at the sheriff’s office. Instead, the commissioners unanimously voted after the closed session to “dismiss’ Greer, who had served as the county’s personnel officer for seven years.
Sheriff Charles Chapman, who handles personnel decisions for his department, later hired Greer to fill the clerical position.
At last week’s BOC meeting, commissioner Charles Turk said that he had asked Greer for bids for health insurance coverage and he did not receive them.
“We asked for three independent brokers,” Turk said. “We didn’t want three insurance plans from one broker. We asked for different brokers. We are talking about $1 million from our budget. I think the citizens deserve independent bids from more than one broker.”
Greer responded, “Never once did you ask me.”
Commissioners Ernest Rogers and Sammy Reece said they had also asked that bids be taken on the insurance coverage.
Greer also outlined her concerns with the representative of the new insurance company.
“I’ve never experienced a situation like I did with Mr. Christopher,” she said.
Degges named city administrator for Baldwin
In a 3-2 vote, the Baldwin City Council agreed Monday night to include $60,000 in the new budget for a city administrator position to be held by Karen Degges, beginning Aug. 1.
Council member Robert Bohannon made the motion to approve this action. Council members Jeff Parrish and Sandi Rudeseal voted in favor of the motion. Beverly Holcomb and Rodney King voted against Bohannon’s motion.
Council member King suggested funding the city administrator’s position for six-months, beginning Jan. 1, 2012, instead of filling the position in July.
Bohannon had asked Degges to submit two scenarios to the council at its next meeting, one showing the city administrator’s position funded for only six months and another for a full year.
The council also approved, in a 3-2 vote, a motion made by Bohannon to include the following in the 2011-12 proposed budget: hire a part-time revenue officer with an annual salary of $22,620 effective 9-1-11; keep current full-time city clerk at an annual salary of $30,160; make part-time finance analyst full-time at an annual salary of $36,000; keep part-time accounts payable clerk at an annual salary of $19,305; and add in-house animal control expenses of $2,650.
At Monday’s council meeting, the council also unanimously approved including a two percent pay raise for all city employees in the proposed 2011-12 budget.
BUDGET HEARING COMING UP
A budget hearing will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 18, to present the 2011-12 budgets to the public for review. The hearing will be held in the courtroom at the Baldwin Police Department. The proposed general fund budget totals $1.51 million in revenues and $1.48 million in expenditures.
The mayor, council members and department heads will be on hand at the budget hearing to hear comments and answer questions from the public about the proposed budgets.
The proposed enterprise fund budget totals $3.07 million in revenues and $3.11 million in expenditures.
Degges said a member of the city’s 2010 auditing firm, Rushton and Company, would also be on hand to go over the city’s recently-completed audit.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business at Monday’s meeting:
•the council unanimously approved the 2012 Banks County Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) intergovernmental agreement for the use and distribution of proceeds from the 20012 SPLOST for capital outlay projects. Baldwin’s projects include sewage system, water system and road improvements.
•the council approved using Habersham County SPLOST IV funds to replace the city’s SPLOST V account for the following projects in 2010-2011: chipper truck, $6,000; Engineering Management Inc., Park Avenue paving services, $4,600; water treatment plant pump building, $28,500; J. Warren Road pump replacement, $7,400; and one two-barrel fire hydrant replacement, $1,721.The council was just made aware in the past couple of months of the funds left in the Habersham County SPLOST IV account.
•the council unanimously approved council meeting minutes for January through May meetings – minus the Jan. 17 meeting which were already approved. King abstained from the vote. “King said, “I abstain since I didn’t have a chance to go over all the minutes. I have been taking care of my Mom.”
•city clerk Mirinda Dispain advised the council that the June meetings minutes, plus the minutes from Thursday’s and Monday’s meetings, would be presented at the July 25 council meeting for adoption. Dispain said she is attempting to get the minutes caught up so that the minutes from one meeting will be approved at the next meeting.
Council member Robert Bohannon made the motion to approve this action. Council members Jeff Parrish and Sandi Rudeseal voted in favor of the motion. Beverly Holcomb and Rodney King voted against Bohannon’s motion.
Council member King suggested funding the city administrator’s position for six-months, beginning Jan. 1, 2012, instead of filling the position in July.
Bohannon had asked Degges to submit two scenarios to the council at its next meeting, one showing the city administrator’s position funded for only six months and another for a full year.
The council also approved, in a 3-2 vote, a motion made by Bohannon to include the following in the 2011-12 proposed budget: hire a part-time revenue officer with an annual salary of $22,620 effective 9-1-11; keep current full-time city clerk at an annual salary of $30,160; make part-time finance analyst full-time at an annual salary of $36,000; keep part-time accounts payable clerk at an annual salary of $19,305; and add in-house animal control expenses of $2,650.
At Monday’s council meeting, the council also unanimously approved including a two percent pay raise for all city employees in the proposed 2011-12 budget.
BUDGET HEARING COMING UP
A budget hearing will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 18, to present the 2011-12 budgets to the public for review. The hearing will be held in the courtroom at the Baldwin Police Department. The proposed general fund budget totals $1.51 million in revenues and $1.48 million in expenditures.
The mayor, council members and department heads will be on hand at the budget hearing to hear comments and answer questions from the public about the proposed budgets.
The proposed enterprise fund budget totals $3.07 million in revenues and $3.11 million in expenditures.
Degges said a member of the city’s 2010 auditing firm, Rushton and Company, would also be on hand to go over the city’s recently-completed audit.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business at Monday’s meeting:
•the council unanimously approved the 2012 Banks County Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) intergovernmental agreement for the use and distribution of proceeds from the 20012 SPLOST for capital outlay projects. Baldwin’s projects include sewage system, water system and road improvements.
•the council approved using Habersham County SPLOST IV funds to replace the city’s SPLOST V account for the following projects in 2010-2011: chipper truck, $6,000; Engineering Management Inc., Park Avenue paving services, $4,600; water treatment plant pump building, $28,500; J. Warren Road pump replacement, $7,400; and one two-barrel fire hydrant replacement, $1,721.The council was just made aware in the past couple of months of the funds left in the Habersham County SPLOST IV account.
•the council unanimously approved council meeting minutes for January through May meetings – minus the Jan. 17 meeting which were already approved. King abstained from the vote. “King said, “I abstain since I didn’t have a chance to go over all the minutes. I have been taking care of my Mom.”
•city clerk Mirinda Dispain advised the council that the June meetings minutes, plus the minutes from Thursday’s and Monday’s meetings, would be presented at the July 25 council meeting for adoption. Dispain said she is attempting to get the minutes caught up so that the minutes from one meeting will be approved at the next meeting.
Lula man injured in Hall County wreck
The Georgia State Patrol reports Stephen Forrester, 49, Lula, was life-flighted to Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Thursday, for injuries sustained in a one-vehicle accident in Hall County.
The state patrol says Forrester’s car was headed north on Interstate 985 in the Rabbittown community when it went into the median, traveled 500 feet, and went down a concrete median, landing on its top in the eastbound lanes of Highway 369 – Jesse Jewell Parkway/Old Cornelia Highway – below.
No other vehicles were involved in the accident.
The state patrol says Forrester’s car was headed north on Interstate 985 in the Rabbittown community when it went into the median, traveled 500 feet, and went down a concrete median, landing on its top in the eastbound lanes of Highway 369 – Jesse Jewell Parkway/Old Cornelia Highway – below.
No other vehicles were involved in the accident.
Armed robbery reported at area business
A woman was parked at Wal-Mart just after midnight on July 4 when she was robbed by a man who said he had a gun.
The victim said she was in her car with her two children waiting for her husband, who was in the store, when a man tapped on her window, according to Banks County Sheriff Charles Chapman. She said she opened the window and the man, descried as a slender white man with sandy blond hair, demanded her purse and said he had a gun. She gave him her purse and he left in a beige or gold colored four-door vehicle, driving toward Jackson County.
No one was injured.
The Banks County Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the armed robbery.
The victim said she was in her car with her two children waiting for her husband, who was in the store, when a man tapped on her window, according to Banks County Sheriff Charles Chapman. She said she opened the window and the man, descried as a slender white man with sandy blond hair, demanded her purse and said he had a gun. She gave him her purse and he left in a beige or gold colored four-door vehicle, driving toward Jackson County.
No one was injured.
The Banks County Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the armed robbery.
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