Commissioners to Vote on Starting Work on Stanley Nix Road at Monday meeting
News March 5, 2017
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — The White County Board of Commissioners will vote Monday on awarding a contract for prep work on Stanley Nix Road to the low bidder Nelson Grading in the amount of $95,899.35 when they meet at 4:30 p.m.
If the bid is approved, work is scheduled to begin this summer. The county will have to pay an additional $144,000 to move telephone and power poles along the road.
The Board will also consider approval of the application submitted by Kenneth R. Grimes to redistrict 1.39 acres of property located on FM Road from R-3 (Residential Seasonal District) to R-1 (Residential Single Family District).
Commissioners are also expected to approve presentations, proclaiming March 29 as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” and March 6-10 as “Exceptional Children’s Week” in White County.
The Consent Agenda does not require commissioners to vote on each individual issue and they are expected to approve:
- Allowing the Sheriff’s Office to surplus 11 vehicles;
- Continuing to authorize the Tax Commissioner to receive various forms of payments on behalf of White County and the revised authority to disburse funds on a monthly basis to the Board of Commissioners Office;
- Rejecting a bid for improvements to Carolina Springs Road;
- Withdrawal of the contract previously awarded to Crumley Creek Construction for the paving of Ben Creek Road and
- Reappointment of Tom Carter to the White County Department of Family and Children’s Services Board for a five-year term ending June 30, 2021.
Commissioners Discuss Historic Overlay District
News February 28, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — White County Commissioners devoted much of Monday’s work session to a discussion about the creation of an Historic Overlay District, a complex issue they acknowledged would require months of planning and a considerable amount of public involvement.
Tom O’Bryant, Director of Community and Economic Development, said his department had conducted a study and identified about 150 areas for a potential historic overlay.
“White County already has the largest historic area in the eastern United States in the Sautee Nacoochee Valley,” O’Bryant said. “We also have a large campground that is historically significant.”
The study also identified some 25 cemeteries associated with local churches and approximately 65 family cemeteries, some of which date back to the early 1800s.
Commissioner Edwin Nix said in planning a historic overlay district it is important to protect private property rights. For example, if a 150-year-old barn on private property is placed into a historic district, he wants to ensure the property owner’s rights are protected.
The Board also held a public hearing on an application submitted by Kenneth R. Grimes to redistrict 1.39 acres of property located on FM Road from R-3 (Residential Seasonal District) to R-1 (Single Family Residential). No one spoke in opposition.
Commissioners agreed to allow the Sheriff’s Office to surplus 11 vehicles that are no longer serviceable. That issue will be added to the consent agenda and voted on at the March meeting.
County Manager Michael Melton told commissioners bids received on the Carolina Springs Road project were way over budget and commissioners decided it would be best to re-bid the project.
Commissioners decided there was no desire to have a portion of Bean Creek Road paved and withdrew the issue from consideration but wanted to begin prep work on Stanley Nix Road this summer. Nelson Grading was the low bidder on that project at $95,899 but the county will also have to pay an additional $134,261 to move 12 power poles and 10 telephone lines. That issue will be voted on at the next regular meeting.
Commissioners’ Work Session Scheduled Monday
News January 27, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — The White County Board of Commissioners will hold a work session Monday, at 4:30 p.m. followed by a called meeting to consider going into an executive session to discuss personnel and real estate.
Mitchell Posey, Special Agent in Charge of the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office will request board approval to apply for the 2016 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $359,412.00.
White County would serve as the fiscal agent for the grant funds.
Director of Community and Economic Development Tom O’Bryant will propose an amendment to the county code associated with the excise tax levy for wholesalers of distilled spirits in White County.
Patrick Brennam, executive director of the Sautee Nacoochee Community Association will provide an update on programs at the facility. The office is located at 283 SR 255 North in Sautee and is open fro 9 a.m. until 5 p.m Monday through Friday. The Galleries and Historic Museum and Folk Pottery Museum is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday.
On Feb. 17-19 the center will host the second annual Nacoochee Art Festival in conjunction with the Winter Festival Arts Tour, Alpine Helen Festival and Unicoi Fireside Craft and Art Show.
Commissioners are also expected to consider the appointment of Judi Lawson to the White County Department of Family and Children Services Board for a five-year term to expire June 30, 2021.
Board Approves Nearly $1 Million in SPLOST-Funded Road Projects
News January 10, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — Meeting for the first time in the new year, White County commissioners addressed a variety of issues, including 2017 road projects, pay raises for Sheriff’s Office personnel and amendments to the county’s land use plan Tuesday.
The Board approved $944,889.20 to improve White County Roads, the largest and most expensive of which is a 1.3 mile section of Mauldin Road at a cost of $345,886, followed by a .72 mile section of Arthur Allen at a cost of $166,436.40. All projects will be funded by the 2014 voter-approved special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST).Other roads approved for prep work and paving include Danny Palmer, Bear Creek and Steve Lewis.
Huntington Road, Hannah Brook Lane, Heather Way and Mountain Meadows were approved for patching and resurfacing. A proposal on Stanley Nix and Sam Craven was tabled until March 2017 for prep work in 2017 and paving in 2018.
Commissioners also unanimously approved an amendment to budget line items relating to compensation for White County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center personnel in the amount of $27, 724 ( in addition to the $103,000 approved in 12/13/16.
During a public hearing, there was no opposition to an amendment to the land use ordinance that establishes a one-acre minimum lot size for all development within the single family residential district (R-1) in the unincorporated area of the county. Commissioners unanimously approved the amendment.
The Reverend Nathan Morgan was granted a conditional use permit to build a parsonage on his property at 176 Mountain Scenic Drive in Cleveland and, after a public hearing in which no one spoke on opposition, commissioners approved a request by Juliet Reeves for abandonment of a portion of Stover Road.
The Board gave special recognition to the White County Sheriff’s Office for achieving Georgia State Law Enforcement Recertification.
Commissioners also approved:
A request by Shirley Wan to redistrict her property at 5642 Hwy. 115 West in Cleveland from R-1 to C-2;
A request by Rev. Nathan Morgan to approve a conditional use permit to place a parsonage on his property at 176 Mount Scenic Drive in Cleveland in a C-2 district;
Adopt a resolution to to execute the contract for the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources Recreation Trails Grant for Phase II at Yonah Preserve in the amount of $100,000 and
The Appointment of Commissioner Craig Bryant to serve another term as Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.
Commissioners Host Public Hearing on 1-Acre Lot Size Minimum
News January 8, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — The public is invited to provide input during a public hearing to establish a one-acre minimum lot size for all development within single-family residential district in unincorporated White County when the Board of Commissioners meet Monday at 4:30 p.m. in the meeting room at 1235 Helen Highway.
Commissioners will also hold a public hearing to consider a resolution for the abandoment of a section of Stover Road requested by Mr. Juliet Reeves, who owns property along both sides of that section.
Kevin Hamy of Hamby Management will present an SPLOST update and the county will recognize the White County Sheriff’s Office for obtaining its Georgia Law Enforcement Recertification.
Commissioners will also consider approval of a land use application filed by Nathan Morgan for a conditional use permit in order to construct a single-family dwelling on 1,875 acres located at 176 Mount Scenic Drive in Cleveland.
The Board is also expected to consider:
The application of Ms. Shirley Wan for redistricting of property located at 5642 Hwy. 115 Westfrom R-1 (Single Family Residential) to C-2 (Highway Business District);
Bids received for 2017 road projects;
Adoption of a resolution to execute the contract for the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources Recreation Trails Grant for Phase II at Yonah Preserve;
A FY 2017 budget amanement for the payroll related to budget line items associated with the compensation increase for White County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center Personnel in the amouunt of $27,724.00 and
The appointment of a vice-chairman for the Board of Commissioners.
Clerk of Court’s Late Payments a “Significant Deficiency”
Business, News December 8, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — An audit of White County finances performed by Rushton and Company showed that Clerk of Court Dena Adams has, for many years, failed to turn over fees and fines to the county on a monthly basis as required.
Clay Pilgrim, who presented the audit report to commissioners at Monday’s meeting, called this a “significant deficiency” and an area of real “concern.”
Chairman Travis Turner said commissioners have complained about the deficiency for many years and he instructed County Manager Michael Melton to contact Adams again to see if the problem could be corrected.
Fetch Your News spoke to Adams Thursday. Her explanation, “We are short staffed and I have other priorities.”
But Commissioner Terry Goodger said, “This problem has been going on since I first took office in 2011. Unfortunately, there is nothing commissioners can do about it because she is an elected official, a constitutional officer who answers only to the voters.”
Commissioners say Adams’ payments are often months behind when they are submitted to the county. In fact, commissioners were so concerned about the potential for impropriety they asked the auditor to begin this year’s audit at the clerk’s office.
“They did a heavier-than-normal audit over there this year and found no evidence of impropriety,” Goodger said.
However, commissioners say when payments from the Clerk’s office are so far behind it impacts the budgeting process and raises a red flag relative to a misappropriation of funds.
White County Commissioners Review 2016 Audit
News December 6, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — Clay Pilgrim presented what he called a “clean, unmodified” FY 2016 audit at Monday’s White County Board of Commissioners meeting.
“This is a good audit,” Pilgrim said. One area of concern, however, was in the Clerk of Courts office where payments are required to be made to the county on a monthly basis.
Pilgrim called the late payments a “significant deficiency.” County Manager Michael Melton said the Clerk’s September payment was not received until Friday, Dec. 2. Pilgrim added that this is a problem that has been ongoing for several years.
Commission Chairman Travis Turner directed Melton to follow up with the Clerk’s office to get the problem corrected.
In other business before the board, Kevin Hamby presented the SPLOST status report and proclaimed the county is in “really good shape,” with collections about $3 million above projections.
Commissioners also:
Tabled a land use application by Rev. Nathan Morgan to build a parsonage at 176 Mount Scenic Drive because the applicant failed to attend the second meeting in a row:
Awarded the bid for maintenance work t the closed Duke’s Creek landfill to Nelson Grading for $15,000. Commissioner Craig Bryant abstained from the vote;
Approved Series 29016 bond documents to refinance the jail recreation projects at a greatly reduced rate from 3.16 percent to 1.72 percent;
Approved a proposal from Carter and Sloope Engineering for design of the future Yonah Preserve Facility at a cost of $4,000;
Extend the moratorium for 30 days on subdividing any property less than one acre within R-1 and A-1 districts that was set to expire this month.
Commissioners OK Voter-Approved Changes to Alcohol Ordinance
News November 29, 2016
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
Commissioners OK Voter-Approved Changes to Alcohol Ordinance
News November 29, 2016
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 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 They 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 Approve Rehabilitation Work on County Bridges
News October 14, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — The White County Board of Commissioners approved rehabilitation and improvement work on the Town Creek Road bridge and two bridges on New Bridge Road as part of the 2017 Local Maintenance Improvement Grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation during Thursday’s called meeting.
The grant is for $382,326.74 with a match of $114,694 from the county.
The board also approved a professional services agreement with Sastry Associates, Inc. for engineering work in conjunction with the LMIG project.
Commissioners then held a discussion, but took no action on, a proposed amendment to the White County Land Use Regulations that would permit a full-time child care facility to be built within agricultural and residential single-family districts.
The three commissioners who were present for the meeting (Chairman Travis Turner, Terry Goodger and Lyn Holcomb) indicated they could support what essentially would be a foster home with a limited number of children. However, they also said they want the request to go to the Planning Commission first and since that had not been done, they took no decision.
Commissioners Hold Marathon Work Session
News September 27, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — The White County employees’ retirement plan, a budget amendment for the Tax Assessor’s office, purchase of vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department and inclusion of county roads in the Local Maintenance Improvement Grant program were key items on the agenda during a marathon two-and-a-half hour work session Monday.
Commissioners expressed some dissatisfaction with the retirement plan and are considering a change from the current provider Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (VALIC).”
Chairman Travis Turner said commissioners wanted the answer to two key questions: Would employees save money by making a switch and would they get a comparable return on their investment.
Robert Kim made a detailed slide presentation for an alternative vendor, ACCG/GEBCORP, a retirement arm of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, that deals exclusively with the public sector.
After hearing the presentation, commissioners said they would review the plan and make a decision in the next couple of weeks.
There was a request by the Assessor’s Office for an additional $8,161 in funding due to a discrepancy found in an audit report.
After some discussion, commissioners decided that the bridges on Town Creek Road and New Bridge Road were most in need of repair under the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) program. The estimated cost is $489,462.20 but bids have not been let and the actual amount could differ.
There was also a discussion about road paving projects in each commission district. Among the roads being considered are Steve Lewis, Sam Craven, Stanley Nix Danny Palmer, Joe Franklin, Arthur Allen, Apple Drive, Yonah East Estates, Mountain Meadow and Mauldin Road.
Commissioners also heard a request from Sheriff Neal Walden for two new Ford Explorers in the amount of $71,113.92 from Jacky Jones Ford to be paid for with SPLOST funds.
Public Safety Director David Murphy has been looking to purchase a tanker for the Fire Department at an amount not to exceed $75,000 but reported he has been unsuccessful. He asked commissioners to increase the monetary limit and authorize him to purchase the vehicle as soon as it is located. He said used fire trucks are in great demand and that when he locates one it is generally sold before can make an offer.
Commissioners held two public hearings. The first was a request by Larry Freeman to redistrict three acres on Duncan Bridge Road from R-1 residential.
The second was a request by Bryan and Theresa Hamilton for a conditional use permit (CUP) for a multi-purpose event venue at 6394 Duncan Bridge Road.
These and other issues will be voted on in the next county commission regular meeting.
Commissioners Shoot Down Shooting Range
News September 13, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — The White County Board of Commissioners unanimously rejected a rezoning request by Caleb Huiet and Josh Wofford that would have allowed a private outdoor shooting range to be built on Hwy. 75 Alternate during Monday’s regular meeting.
Once again, the meeting room was packed by those for and against the shooting range. Commission Chairman Travis Turner asked and received restraint from the audience when the decision was announced.
At a recent public hearing on the issue, those supporting the request said they would like to have some place where they could teach gun safety to their children and grandchildren. Opponents said the range would disturb the tranquility of the area reduce property values.
Tammy Dean, who said her family has lived near the proposed facility for several generations, made the most compelling argument on behalf of her special needs daughter during that public hearing. Dean said her daughter suffers from epilepsy and is prone to seizures that can be brought on by loud noises.
“We have to take precautions at school,” Dean said. “She is not allowed to be in the building when a fire alarm goes off. We have had instances where we have had to call an ambulance and White County ambulances know when they come to pick our daughter up they can’t use their sirens. We have also had to take her somewhere else during the times when these gentlemen (property owners) have been shooting.”
In other decisions Monday, the Board tabled Shirley Van’s application for redistricting her property at 5642 Hwy. 115 West from single family residential to highway business district until several code violations have been rectified.
Commissioners unanimously denied a request for a variance from land use requirements for residential lot sizes of less than one acre by Tanvor, LLC.
In a 3-2 vote, with commissioners Terry Goodger, Edwin Nix and Lyn Holcomb in favor, the Board chose to go with a lease from Caterpillar for heavy equipment for the Road Department.
White Campaign for County Commission Ends
News September 8, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. – White County’s District 4 County Commissioner Craig Bryant won’t have to face a challenger in the November election after all.
Daniel White’s write-in campaign for the District 4 seat on the White County Board of Commissioners has ended one week after it began.
White County Election Superintendent Garrison Baker said Wednesday that White, who lists his address as 4405 Helen Highway, is not a resident of District 4 and therefore not eligible to run against Bryant. White actually resides in District 1.
State law requires county commission candidates to reside in the district in which they run. Baker said that pursuant to state law any write-in votes cast for White as a candidate for County Commission District 4 shall not be certified as valid write-in votes.
Gun Range Hearing Draws Packed House
News August 30, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — It’s rare the White County Board of Commissioners meeting draws a large crowd, but on Monday the meeting room was elbow-to-elbow and the crowd spilled out into the lobby area for a public hearing on a proposed outdoor gun range on Ga. Alternate 75.
Chairman Travis Turner asked for a show of hands before the hearing started and 37 raised their hand in support and 25 in opposition. While the issue is an emotional one, the arguments, pro and con, were mostly respectful.
Gun enthusiasts spoke about the need for a place to teach young people how to handle firearms safely. They said the nearest gun range is located miles away in Banks County.
Cindy Border said, “My grandfather, when I was a little girl, taught me how to shoot and how to be safe with a gun. I can’t take my child where I live and shoot safely because there are so many houses around us and so many more coming in. I want to be able to go to a place to teach my daughter safely how to shoot a gun. It could save her life one day.”
Opponents, many of whom live near the proposed facility, cited the noise factor and also the potential reduction in their property values.
But one of the most compelling arguments came from Tammy Dean, the mother of a special needs daughter whose family has lived across the road from the proposed gun range for five generations. Her young daughter suffers from epilepsy and is prone to seizures that can be brought on by loud noises.
“We have to take precautions at school,” Dean said. “She is not allowed to be in the building when a fire alarm goes off. We have had instances where we have had to call an ambulance and White County ambulances know when they come to pick our daughter up they can’t use their sirens. We have also had to take her somewhere else during the times when these gentlemen (property owners) have been shooting.”
The White County Planning Commission voted 5-1 against recommending approval. The Board of Commissioners is expected to vote on the issue in two weeks.
Commissioners Could Save Taxpayers $100,000 By Refinancing Jail Bond
News August 18, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — In today’s called meeting, the White County Board of Commissioners discussed the possibility of refinancing the Series 2010 jail bond to take advantage of today’s lower interest rate and the possibility of increasing the amount of the bond to include future development plans for Parks and Recreation or possibly issuing a separate bond for that purpose.
After a presentation by Tom Owens of Raymond James, a financial services company, the Board directed County Manager Michael Melton and staff to meet with the county’s bond attorney Tread Syfan and the Raymond James representative to put together an analysis that they could vote on in a future meeting.
By refinancing the existing jail bond, Owens said the county could lower the current interest rate by about 2 percent, there by saving taxpayers $100,000.
Owens also pointed out that the White County Building Authority could handle the parks and recreation funding through an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the county without the need for a referendum.
The Board also tabled a vote on approving $6,021.12 to purchase fitness equipment for Parks and Recreation. The Board recently canceled a contract with the YMCA to bring that function in house.
Martha Rae Kimsey Honored on 100th Birthday
News August 10, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — The White County Board of Commissioners had a very busy day Tuesday with a regular meeting, a called meeting and a public hearing on the millage rate but they paused long enough to honor White County resident Martha Rae Kimsey on the occasion of her 100th birthday.
Friends and family were on hand as Commissioner Craig Bryant read the proclamation that designated August 8th as Martha Rae Kimsey Day in White County.
Kimsey actually reached the milestone on July 9 and commissioners wanted to recognize her special accomplishment.
Commissioners also approved the purchase of vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office in the amount of $53,322.26, an automatic aid agreement with the Hall County Fire Department and $5,000 in funding for the White County Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Spirit of Appalachia Food, Wine and Art Festival.