Land use applications dominate the Board of Commissioners meeting Monday
News April 22, 2022
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. — Land use applications will once again dominate the agenda when the White County Board of Commissioners meets on Monday April 25 at 4:30 p.m. in the County Administration Building on Helen Highway.
Commissioners will consider:
- The land use application to request a conditional use permit for Titus Rennie on 2.09 acres at 452 River Forest Run in Cleveland to be placed into the county’s short-term rental program;
- The land use application to request a conditional use permit for Lori Creek on 2.97 acres at 292 Spotted Fawn Lane in Cleveland to be placed into the county’s short-term rental program;
- The land use application to request a conditional use permit for Brandon and Autumn Thompson on 0.55 acres at 8 Taylor Road in Helen to be placed into the county’s short-term rental program;
- The land use application to request a conditional use permit for Ricardo Viton on1.04 acres at 72 Running Deer Road in Cleveland to be placed into the county’s short-term rental program;
The Board will also consider the purchase of two vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office, a grant application to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division for a Scrap Tire Amnesty Day in White County and a resolution to ratify the White County Board of Elections By-Laws, amended in February 2022.
Board will honor Vietnam Vets, CASA and county basketball teams Monday
News March 25, 2022
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – Monday March 28 will be a day for the White County Board of Commissioners to issue proclamations to honor several important organizations during a combined called meeting and work session starting at 4:30 p.m.
First, the Board will present a proclamation to Northeast Georgia Veterans Society in honor of “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.”
Next will be a proclamation in recognition of the White County Parks and Recreation basketball teams that participated in the 2022 Georgia State Parks and Recreation Association state championships.
And finally, the Board will issue a proclamation to the Enotah Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in honor of April being Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Public Works Director Derick Canupp will provide an update on the bidding process for spring and summer road projects.
The Board will consider Marlon Luce’s request to redistrict 1.09 acres at 120 Hogan Road in Cleveland from C-1 Community Commercial District to R-1 Single-family residential.
Also to be considered is Kenneth and Margaret Kahle’s request for a conditional use permit on 1.22 acreage at 6829 Highway 75 Alternate in Helen to participate in the county’s short-term rental program.
Finance Director Jodi Ligon will present the monthly financial status report.
Board of Commissioners will hold a rare called meeting Thursday
News March 15, 2022
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – Derrick Cannup, Director of Public Works will present a capital projects overview and estimates for proposed Spring road projects when the Board of Commissioners meet in a rare called meeting at 8:30 a.m. Thursday in the County Administration Building on Helen Highway.
The Board will also consider:
- Approval of expenditure for vegetative debris disposal from right of way and storm cleanup;
- Approval of a surplus resolution for public safety vehicles and equipment;
- Approval of contract for architectural services on various county project with BCA Studios;
- Approval of a resolution and adoption agreement for the restatement of the White County Employee Retirement Plan as required by IRS;
- Terry Burger’s land use application on 1.73 acres at 3049 Tray Mountain Road in Sautee Nacoochee to be entered into the county short-term rental program;
- Terry Burger’s application on behalf of David Pitts request for a conditional use permit on 1.73 acres at 3051 Tray Mountain Road to be entered into the county short-term rental program;
- Terry Burger’s land use application on 1.81 acres at 3157 Tray Mountain Road in Sautee Nacoochee to be placed into the county short-term rental program
Finance Director Jodi Ligon will then present the monthly financial report.
Spring road improvements projects to be considered at Monday’s BOC meeting
News March 5, 2022
WHITE COUNTY, Ga — A presentation of public capital works project requests and estimates for proposed spring road improvement projects is on the agenda when the Board of Commissioners meets Monday (Mar. 7) in the County Administration Building, 1235 Helen Highway in Cleveland.
Other items on the agenda include:
- Bids received for an automatic gate at the Parks and Recreation Building;
- An update on the status of replacement of the pavilion at the Parks & Recreation Facility;
- Proposed purchase of a back-up fire engine apparatus for the Fire Department;
- A presentation of the monthly financial status.
BOC to consider improvements to pickleball courts Monday
News February 27, 2022
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – John Ziemer, chairman of the White County Water Authority will present information on the Authority’s current operations and plans for future expansion when the Board of Commissioners meets in a work session Monday, Feb. 28 at 4:30 p.m. in the County Administration Building, 1235 Helen Highway in Cleveland.
Commissioners will consider an offer by Yonah Mountain Pickleball Club to donate funds designated for the purpose of maintenance and improvements to the pickleball courts at the White County Recreation Department and a potential contract with Signature Tennis Courts for the resurfacing of six pickleball courts.
The Board will also consider:
- Edward Lugo’s application for a conditional use permit on 1.12 acres at 171 Bennet’s Trail in Sautee Nacoohee to be included in the county’s short-term rental program;
- Victor Alan Reynolds’ request for a conditional use permit on 1.01 acres at 32 Running Deer Road in Cleveland to be included in the county’s short-term rental program;
- Hetrip Unit, LLC application on behalf of Kirt Koch to redistrict property at the intersection of Hwy. 255 South and Hwy. 115 East in Cleveland from A-1 Agriculture Forestry to C-2 Highway Business District;
- Approval of a contract with Waste Management D/B/A R&B Landfill, Inc. for the operation of thw White County Transfer Station;
- Approval of a memorandum of agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation for joint access, use, and management of a temporary debris site.
Board of Commissioners called meeting set for Thursday
News February 15, 2022
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. — County Commissioners will discuss their recommendations for spring and summer road projects when the Board of Commissioners holds a rare called meeting Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. Thursday in the County Administration Building, 1235 Helen Highway in Cleveland.
There will also be a discussion regarding the future operations of the pool at the White County Recreation Department and options for a splash pad installation.
The Board will also consider a series of land use applications, including:
- Jaime Mok Calle’s request for a conditional use permit (CUP) on 2.77 acres at 1788 Thomas Road in Cleveland to be placed in the County’s short-term rental program;
- Adair Martin’s request for a conditional use permit on .565 acres at 8 Center Baptist Church Loop in Helen to be placed in the County’s short-term rental program;
- Lisa McWilliams’ request for a conditional use permit on 1.37 acres at 291 Cindy Cove in Cleveland, to be placed in the County’s short-term rental program;
- Madhav Mehra’s request on behalf of Ki and Ka Entertainment request for a conditional use permit on 3.72 acres at 811 Hooper Road in Cleveland to be placed in the County’s short-term rental program;
- Jebadiah Moulton’s request for a conditional use permit on 2 acres at 113 EB Road in Cleveland to be placed in the County’s short-term rental program;
- Karen Perrie’s request for a conditional use permit on 1.27 acres at24 Wolf Howl Trail in Sautee Nacoochee to be placed in the County’s short-term rental program;
BOC will review operations at Transfer Station
News February 5, 2022
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – County Commissioners will review the contract with Waste Management for operations of the Transfer Station when they meet Monday at 4:30 p.m. in the County Administration Building on Helen Highway.
The County awarded a contract to Waste Management last fall for hauling trash from the Convenience Center to the Transfer Station in $21,500 annually. Economic Development Director John Sell has suggested the Board may get a better price by working out a two to three year agreement.
In other business, the Board will:
- Hear a presentation by Frank Riley, Executive Director of the Chestatee-Chattahoochee Resource, Conservation and Development council;
- Consider adoption of a resolution revising Article V Road Construction Standards for paving county-owned or maintained unpaved roads;
- Discuss bids received for Skylake Road Culvert Repairs;
- Consider approval of expenditure with ACCG Solutions and Trailwave Fiber, Inc. for extension of fiber service at Yonah Preserve Sports Facility;
- Discuss future operations of the pool at White County Recreation Department and options for a splash pad installation;
Finance Director Jodi Ligon will present the monthly financial status report.
County Manager Joe Cason will discuss evaluation of county facilities HVAC systems.
Commissioners will set qualifying fees for 2022 candidates Monday
News January 30, 2022
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. — The Board of Commissioners will set qualifying fees for candidates who plan to run for elected offices in 2022 when they meet in a regular session Monday, Jan 29 at 4:30 p.m. in the County Administration Building 1235 Helen Highway in Cleveland.
Commissioners will also consider a series of land use applications including the following:
- Charles Clinton’s request to rezone 4.77 acres on Corporate Drive from A-1 Agriculture Forestry District to Industrial District;
- Greg Crumley’s request for a conditional use permit on 3.56 acres at 591 Dock Dorsey Road in Cleveland to be placed in the short-term rental program;
- Michael Gibbs request for a conditional use permit for 7.31 acres on Duncan Bridge Road in Cleveland to be placed in the short-term rental program;
- Michael Gibbs request for a conditional use permit for 14.13 acres on Duncan Bridge Road to be placed in the short-term rental program;
- Margaret Loudermilk’s request for a conditional use permit on 1.6 acres at 3529 Chimney Mountain Road in Cleveland to be placed into the short-term rental program;
- Daniel Rogers’ request to redistrict 2.17 acres at 9 Wild Turkey Trail in Cleveland from Residential Single Family to Residential Seasonal District to be placed into the short-term rental program.
- Union Grove Campground’s request to redistrict 10.50 acres at 80 Tabernacle Road in Cleveland from Residential Single Family to Agriculture Forestry District.
Commissioners will also hear a presentation of information regarding White County’s receipt of the 2021 Georgia Public Safety and First Responder Supplement Grant.
Under Old Business commissioners will consider:
- Approval of a memorandum of agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation for the replacement of Town Creek Road Bridge with White County contributing $75,000 to the right of way phase of the project.
- Ratification of the county’s acceptance of Georgia Department of Transportation Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant funding in the amount of the lesser of $200,000 of 70 percent of the project cost of the extension of Claude Sims Road.
Under New Business, commissioners will consider:
- An appointment to the White County Department of Family and Children Services Board to fulfill the remainder of a five-year term that expires in June 30, 2025.
BOC will hold redistricting meeting Thursday
Business January 10, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. — The White County Board of Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, Jan. 13, at 8 a.m. in the Board Room at the White County Administration Building.
The purpose of the Public Hearing will be to receive citizen comment on the proposed redistricting of the White County Board of Commissioners and Board of Education based on the 2020 Census. The proposed district map is available at the White County Board of Commissioners Office or at www.whitecountyga.gov
BOC votes to build new county government complex on Hwy.129
News January 5, 2022
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – A new 16.97-acre county government complex is on the horizon for White County.
The Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 Monday to purchase three parcels of land on Hwy. 129 North near Smith’s Soda Shop that will potentially house a new Tax Commissioner’s Office, courthouse, and library.
Travis Turner
The Tax Commissioners Office is overcrowded and needs to expand. But county staff discovered that expansion on the current site is not feasible due to the bottleneck that would be created in the parking lot.
Chairman Travis Turner said the Board decided, “It would be financially more responsible to build a new building on a vacant lot and have it benefit the county for years, and not something we’re just going to put a band-aid on.”
Commissioner Edwin Nix said, “We need to be frugal with the money we spend, We don’t need to be remodeling buildings that are that old. I think we’re going in the right direction for the future of the county. I really do.”
The funding will come from the 2014 special purpose local option sales tax.
County officials say US Census Bureau undercounted county households
News January 4, 2022
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – The 2020 Census undercounted the number of households and population in White County by 2,763 households according to county officials who have filed an appeal with the U.S. Census Bureau.
Travis Turner
Board of Commissioners Chairman Travis Turner announced the county’s decision during Monday’s Board of Commissioners meeting. In 2021, the Census reported the county’s population at 28,003 which fell short of its own 2020 estimate of 30,798.
“We’ve used our own GIS technology and addresses and thus far, we have found approximately 2,763 residences that were not counted thereby lowballing us on the data,” Turner said in announcing the Board’s decision.
The Census allows a Census Capital Question Resolution for appeal. To start that process the county sent a letter to the U.S. Census Bureau that outlines the claim and sends supporting documentation of the county’s block-by block count of households.
The Census is used to apportion congressional representation and boundaries of state House and Legislative Districts.
According to one non-profit organization, the Census also undercounted the state population by 124,438. Texas, California, New York and Florida also reported undercounts.
The Census Bureau has until mid-2023 to respond to questions.
BOC will discuss re-districting during the first meeting of 2022
News January 2, 2022
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – The Board of Commissioners will consider approval of White County’s local re-districting county commission and board of education maps when it holds its first combined work session and regular meeting of the New Year Monday (Jan. 3) in the County Administration Building on Helen Highway at 4:30 p.m.
The Board will also consider approval of technology infrastructure upgrades including server refresh, replacement of network core switches and firewall replacement.
Faith Bryan of the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission will present information regarding White County’s challenge of the 2020 Census results.
The Board will also consider a land use application filed by Gregory Chastain to redistrict 7.09 acres at 250 Hogan Road in Cleveland from A-1 Agriculture Forestry to R-1 Residential single and a request by for a conditional use permit (CUP) for Ger Corcimiglia to redistrict 15.54 acres at 511 Lookout Ridge Road in Cleveland to be placed into the county’s short-term rental program.
Board of Commissioners will hold a called meeting Thursday morning
News December 14, 2021
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – The White Count Board of Commissioners will hold a rare called meeting Thursday, Dec. 15 at 9 a.m. in the County Administration Building on Helen Hwy. in Cleveland.
Key items on the agenda include the replacement of Fire Engine No. 2 requested by Public Safety Director David Murphy, the rising cost of waste disposal and a contract with Waste Management and a sign project proposed by the White County Chamber of Commerce.
The Board will then consider entering into an executive session to discuss real estate issues.
BOC postpones construction of the Multi-purpose public health facility
News December 8, 2021
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. –The multi-purpose mass care facility that will be used to support public health operations in case of natural hazards or pandemics will be delayed until the Board of Commissioners determines the proper funding mechanism.
When it is constructed, the facility is expected to be used as a preparation and response site located at the Yonah Preserve area north of Cleveland to conduct emergency distribution mass evacuation and serve as a storm shelter.
The County had planned to utilize the nearly $6 million it received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to construct the facility but as Chairman Travis Turner said during Monday’s regular meeting. The federal government required the County to adopt a resolution in August without guidelines as to how the money could be spent. Unfortunately, Turner said, the feds change the guidelines on a monthly basis.
Due to the caveats that may not mirror the values of the community, Turner said, ““We need to step back and see if there is a wiser way to go about doing what we’re trying to do here. With our research through the Association County Commissioners Georgia (ACCG) and National Association of Commissioners (NACO), the recommendation was that it is more prudent to place the ARPA funds into eligible human resources needs like wages and benefits.”
But Turner added that the multi-purpose facility is still on the radar. “Potentially we will revisit the facility at the first of the new year when we identify a proper funding source.”
Board of Commissioners recognizes achievement of White County citizens
News December 8, 2021
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – As 2021 draws to a close, it was a time for the White County Board of Commissioners to recognize the service and accomplishments of some White County citizens.
Approximately 100 members of both the 4th and 5th grade Mountain Football League Super Bowl Championship teams and their cheer squads were on hand to receive the special recognition and a proclamation naming Dec. 6 White County Youth Football Champions Day. The 4th grade team finished the season with an 8-1 record and the 5th grade team posted a perfect 10-0 mark. The championship games were played in Dawson County on Sat. Nov. 13.
The Board also recognized the service to the community of Bill Black, Marlon Caldwell, Bonnie and Dean Dyer and Judy Lovell. Black was honored for 16 years of service as private sector representative on the Georgia Mountains Regional Development Council. Caldwell served on the Elections Board for more than eight years, Ms. Lovell was recognized for her service to the White County Historic Society and the Dyers were honored for their service to the community through their radio station WRWH.
The Board then made appointments and reappointments to the Board of Assessors, Board of Health, Building Authority, Planning Commission, AVITA, Department of Behavioral Health and Development Disabilities and Department of Family and Children’s Services.
Commissioners unanimously approved the renewal of the ACCG-GSIWCF agreement for county employees’ compensation insurance services as well as a resolution to adopt a tax levy for the White County Board of Education Series 2021 General Obligation bonds and a tax levy in case the education special purpose local option sales tax approved by the voters does not generate sufficient funds to make the principal and interest payment in any given year. The current interest rate is 2.08 percent.
The Board also approved the renewal of the 2022 ACCG-GSIWCF agreement for county employees compensation and insurance services.
Board of Commissioners introduces new department directors
News December 2, 2021
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – The White County Board of Commissioners introduced two new county employees at Monday’s work session and called meeting – Derrick Canupp, director of public works and Kimberly McEntire, director of parks and recreation.
To Board approved several land use permits.
The application of Benjamin and Samantha Boatright for a conditional use permit (CUP) to be placed in the short-term rental program on 1.78 acres located at 355 Chastain Road was approved 5-0.
Charlene Kent’s application for a CUP to be placed into the short-term rental program on 3.58 acres located at 4845 Hwy. 255 South in Cleveland was approved 4-0 with Commissioner Craig Bryant recused.
The Board also unanimously approved Paul Seabolt’s request for a variance from Land Use Regulation ArticleXXII – definitions of terms/cemetery family plots on one acre located on Hwy. 284 in Cleveland, The cemetery, once known as O’Kelly Cemetery, is also located on what was once a family farm.
Public Safety Director David Murphy asked for and received approval to issue a request for proposal (RFP) for replacement of a 1998 GMC C-8500 fire engine.