CLEVELAND, Ga. — During Monday’s called meeting, the White County Board of Commissioners put its stamp of approval on changes to the alcohol ordinance approved by voters during the November 8 election.

The changes, which include the sale of distilled spirits by the drink, Sunday retail package sales of beer and wine and Sunday sales by the drink for beer, wine and distilled spirits, will become effective Jan 1. Retailers must continue to adhere to the part of the ordinance that requires that alcohol sales not exceed 40 percent of their total sales. A distilled spirits license will cost $2,500.

Commissioners also agreed to switch the county employees’ retirement plan to GEBCorp, an Association County Commissioners of Georgia company. Commissioners pointed out that employees who like their current plan can keep it. In making the motion to approve GEBCorp, Commissioner Edwin Nix said he would not make the motion, “if I did not believe our employees will have a chance to make more money with their money.”

Commissioners also approved:

The abandonment of a portion of Stover Road at the owner’s request;

A state mandated revision of the county’s soil erosion, sedimentation, and pollution control ordinance;

The purchase of an ATV by the White County Fire Department for $16,047.85 from Gainesville Motorsports, to be fully funded by a Homeland Security Grant;

A funding request from Sautee Nacoochee Community Association for marketing of the Winterfest Arts Tour;

A resolution for adjustments to the FY 2017 budget related to revisions in the Fair Labor Standarts Act (FSLA).

Commissioners also held a public hearing on a request by Reverend Nathan Morgan for a conditional use permit to construct a parsonage on church property at 176 Mount Scenic Drive in Cleveland. No one spoke in opposition.

GEBCor