LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

REGULAR MEETING

JANUARY 2, 2002 –4:00 P.M.

The Laurens County Board of Commissioners held their first regular meeting of the month on Tuesday, January 2, 2002, at 4:00 P.M. in the Commissioner's Board Room of the Administration Building.  Chairman Clinton Lord called the meeting to order.  Present were Commissioners Hugh Alligood, Roscoe Brower, Tal Fuqua and Emory Lake.  Chairman Clinton Lord gave the invocation that was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

The first item on the agenda was the approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of December 18, 2001.  Commissioner Lake made the motion to approve the minutes.  Commissioner Brower seconded this motion and the motion carried unanimously.

First on the agenda was the election of the Chairman for 2002.  Commissioner Lake made the motion to elect Commissioner Fuqua as Chairman and Commissioner Alligood seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous.  Outgoing Chairman Lord thanked the other commissioners for their support during this last year.  Chairman Lord also added that a lot had been accomplished during 2001.  Some of these accomplishments were the completion of the renovations at the courthouse, the construction of the EMA/EMS facility and the difficult balancing of the budget.  Chairman Lord added that a major decision that the Board had to make this year  was the appointment of the new County Administrator Bryan Rogers and the Commissioners also faced the challenge of redistricting.  Commissioner Lake commended outgoing Chairman Lord for a job well done during 2001.  Incoming Chairman Fuqua also commended Chairman Lord.

Next on the agenda was the election of the Vice Chairman for 2002.  Commissioner Lord made the motion to elect Commissioner Alligood as Vice Chairman and Commissioner Brower seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous.

The next item on the agenda was the appointment of the County Attorney.  Commissioner Alligood made the motion to reappoint Mr. Billy Kight as County Attorney and Commissioner Brower seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

Next was the appointment of the County Auditor.  Commissioner Lord made the motion to reappoint Mr. Scotty Jones of Thigpen, Jones and Seaton as County Auditor.  Commissioner Lake seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

LAURENS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

REGULAR MEETING

JANUARY 15, 2002 –4:00 P.M.

The Laurens County Board of Commissioners held their  second regular meeting of the month on Tuesday, January 15, 2002, at 4:00 P.M. in the Commissioner's Board Room of the Administration Building.  Chairman Tal Fuqua called the meeting to order.  Present were Commissioners Hugh Alligood, Roscoe Brower,  Emory Lake and Clinton Lord.  Chairman Tal Fuqua asked Judge Stan Smith to give the invocation that was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

The first item on the agenda was the approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of Wednesday, January 2, 2002.  Commissioner Lord made the motion to approve the minutes.  Commissioner Lake seconded this motion and the motion carried unanimously.

At this time, Chairman Fuqua recognized the Laurens County Sanitation Department employees who were present and commended them on the excellent job they did over the holidays.  The employees present were Willie Wilcher, Jerome Brown, John Foreman, Nathaniel Brown, Eschol Bracewell, Jimmie Lee Wright, Lilton Jones, Johnny Herrin and Robert Gilbert.  Edward Lanier was not present at today’s meeting.

First on the agenda was the proclamation recognizing Eloyce Hooks, President/CEO of Middle Georgia Easter Seals, on her upcoming retirement.  Commissioner Alligood read the proclamation.   (SEE EXHIBIT A - Proclamation).  Mrs. Hooks gave some history on her association with Easter Seals and the Commissioners presented Mrs. Hooks with the signed proclamation.

Next on the agenda was the presentation of the FY2001 Audit Report.  Mr. Scotty Jones of Thigpen, Jones & Seaton gave the audit report.  Mr. Jones recognized Mrs. Donna Lumley, head of the governmental audit staff of Thigpen, Jones & Seaton, who was in charge of this audit. Mr. Jones stated that he appreciates Mr. Scott Bourassa, Laurens County Finance Officer, and looks forward to working with County Administrator Bryan Rogers.  Mr. Jones stated that he had enjoyed working with Mr. Will McDonald, former County Administrator, over the years and wished him well in his retirement.  After a very informative presentation, Commissioner Brower made the motion to accept the FY 2001 Audit Report as presented and Commissioner Lord seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous. 

The next item on the agenda was the consideration of adopting a purchasing policy.  (SEE EXHIBIT B - Purchasing Policy). County Administrator Rogers explained that the purpose of setting a purchasing policy was to save money by bulk purchases for any items that can be kept on hand and distributed to each department as requested.  Mr. David Franks, purchasing agent, will be responsible for purchasing supplies at the lowest cost and distributing as requested.  Each department has one person who will be responsible for requesting any items needed from Purchasing Agent Franks, who will then fill out the proper requisition forms and forward to Mr. Scott Bourassa, Finance Officer, who in turn will charge to the appropriate department’s account.  Commissioner Lake made the motion to approve the purchasing policy as recommended by County Administrator Rogers and Commissioner Alligood seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.  Chairman Fuqua added that the Commissioners be given reports that will keep them informed of all purchases made.

Next was adopting the ordinances for emergency management in a state of emergency.  At the last meeting, Commissioner Lord had asked about ordinances for a state of emergency.  Mr. Rogers explained that after discussing with Emergency Management Director, Don Bryant, he had two ordinances that would be needed to be adopted for Laurens County.  The ordinances are for imposing curfews and to prohibit price gouging during a state of emergency.  (SEE EXHIBIT C - Ordinances).  Commissioner Lord made the motion to adopt the two ordinances as stated and Commissioner Brower seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous.

The next agenda item was the consideration of board appointments for the Rural Fire Executive Committee and the Heart of Georgia/Altamaha Regional Development Center Board of Directors. 

First was the Rural Fire Executive Committee. The members whose terms expire January 31, 2002 are: Mr. Robert Drew - At Large (Dublin), Mr. Jerry Griffen - At Large (Forestry), Mr. Randy Warren - Minter, Buckeye, Brewton and Mr. Rickey Alligood - Rentz, Cadwell, Dexter.  Rural Fire Chief Don Bryant reported that the Laurens County Rural Fire Executive Board recommended reappointing all committee appointments by a unanimous vote.  Commissioner Lake made the motion to reappoint all committee members as was recommended by the Rural Fire Executive Board and Commissioner Lord seconded the motion that carried unanimously. 

Next was the Heart of Georgia/Altamaha Regional Development Center Board of Directors.  The County’s representative on this board is Mr. Roscoe Brower.  The City of Dublin’s representative is Mr. Matt Hatchett and the other municipalities representative is Mayor Millard Evans of Cadwell.  Commissioner Lord made the motion to reappoint Mr. Roscoe Brower if he would agree to continue to serve on this Board and Commissioner Alligood seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous and Mr. Brower agreed to continue to serve as the County’s representative on this board.  The City of Dublin plans to appoint Mr. Joe Kinard and the other municipalities plans to reappoint Mayor Millard Evans.

The last agenda item was the discussion and action on the Georgia Power Energy Rate Plan.  County Administrator Rogers explained that he had reviewed the energy rate plan on some of the County’s accounts and feels that there could be monies saved on utility costs on the County Farm Road units and outdoor street lights accounts that could amount to approximately $3,000.00 per year.  (SEE EXHIBIT D - Georgia Power rate schedule).  Mr. Rogers added that next year he would have the Courthouse power cost reviewed after we have enough historical data and this could also add savings on utilities cost.  Commissioner Lake made the motion to adopt this plan and Commissioner Lord seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

At this time, Chairman Fuqua recognized citizens. 

Ms. Mary Wood came before the Board with concerns over the closing down of the Laurens County Transit System.  Ms. Wood’s brother, Ovey Owens, needs public transportation and she has had problems getting transportation for Mr. Owens to get to his doctor’s appointment.  Mr. Rogers explained that he has been reviewing any problems that have arisen due to the discontinuing of the County’s transit system on an individual basis and he would look at Ms. Wood’s situation.  Mr. Rogers also informed the Board that he will be meeting with Ward’s Delivery Service to discuss their providing the services that was previously provided by the Laurens County Transit System and will report back to the Board at the next meeting.

Mr. Doug Eaves, Director of Children, Youth and Families, informed the Board that his agency has a van that does provide transportation to expectant mothers and their children, from ages newborn up to one year only.