The Habersham County Commission is considering a proposal that would make part time employees eligible for merit pay raises. The board also approved an increase in fees for the county recreation department. Those were among the items discussed and decided by the commission during its work session and meeting Monday night.
Work session
Mike Beecham, Habersham Director of Planning and Development, presented information on the Habersham County Airport Overlay District, which focused on approach and take-off of airplanes utilizing the airport. Beecham also presented the proposed Driveway Ordinance, a set of requirements for new driveways constructed in the county, beyond incorporated areas. The requirements specify the location of the driveway as it pertains to safety along roadways, and details including culvert specifications and construction on county right-of-ways where a homeowner’s property joins the county road.
The Habersham Economic Development Council made a request for funding, although a member of H.E.D.C. was not present, and the Commissioners listened to the request, but did not appear to plan to take any immediate action.
Commissioners heard about the need to repair drainage culverts on Lakewood Cove, a subdivision near Double Bridge Road. Commissioners were informed that the road itself is in very good condition, but that culvert problems exist. The commission plans to wait until all property owners in the subdivision have responded to a request to make repairs.
Finally, newly appointed Habersham County Human Resources Director, Vinitha Robinson, gave a detailed presentation concerning merit pay for full and part time county employees. Her report identified a problem in part time employees who may work less than 1040 hours per year. Since the current merit pay raise guide only allows for merit pay for part time employees who surpass the 1040 hour requirement, it means that any county employees who work less than 50% of the year are never eligible for pay raises, since the county has ceased across the board pay raise system. The presentation proposed lowering the minimum annual hours worked to 520, which would provide an opportunity to primarily (part time) fire fighters and recreation staff.
Public meeting
Habersham Finance Director, Heidi Hooks, made a thorough presentation on the proposed Habersham County Fiscal Year 2017 budget. The budget, $22.6 million, includes some items that were reduced to save funds, and some that are going to be increased: health insurance for county employees and a 23% increase in county worker’s compensation. Director Hooks also reviewed 2016 accomplishments including the purchase of four new patrol cars for the Sheriff’s Office, a new ambulance with necessary medical treatment upgrades, the addition of 16 miles of newly paved roads in the county, and improvements to the Habersham Public Defender’s office, the Senior Center, Habersham Airport, Habersham Landfill, and the building of a new Turnerville Fire Station.
During the public meeting, Commissioners heard a request from County Parks and Recreation Director, Kurt Cooper, to increase fees to participate on county rec teams as follows:
- Youth Basketball Ages 5-6, from $75 to $85
- Youth Basketball Ages 7-18, from $75 to $95
- Track & Field from $75 to $95
- Volleyball from $75 to $95
- Youth Flag Football stays at $75 (no justification to increase)
- Youth Tackle Football from $100 to $125
- Youth Cheerleading from $85 to $115 (cost of uniforms are more dramatic than other sports except football)
- Cross Country (proposed new program) $75
Cooper provided a chart showing Habersham’s current fees and those of surrounding counties. Commissioner Andrea Harper raised concerns about raising fees and how this might impact young participants who may already be struggling to pay. Director Cooper assured the Commissioners that there is a scholarship program in place to pay a percentage of the fees if player and parents feel the fee is excessive. The Commissioners approved fee increases of between $10-$30 with the specified provision that no player be denied an opportunity to play if they did not have funds to cover the fees. Cooper agreed and plans to make sure promotional materials and meetings will reflect the availability of scholarships.
Commissioners tabled a number of appointments, including to the Hospital Authority, until a later meeting. There was no indication or discussion by Commissioners about a proposed “Property Acquisition” which was recently discussed in Executive Session during a joint meeting between the Commissioners and Hospital Authority Board.
Commissioners heard from Habersham County Fire Chief, Jeff Cain, concerning the use of Naloxone, a drug that reverses the effects of opiates. Lt. Matt Ruark was commended for his help in assisting several individuals during emergency calls in Habersham County. The drug, normally used in hospital surgery to terminate the impact of opiates pharmaceuticals administered during a procedure, have become widely used to treat individuals who may have overdosed on an opiate. The program, Project D.A.N. (Deaths Avoided by Naloxone) is available in 11 Northeast Georgia counties, and is the program Lt. Mark Ruark participates in to save lives in emergencies.
The Commissioner’s also heard the First Reading’s for the Airport Overlay District, the proposed Driveway Ordinance, and alcohol sales request.
The Commission adjourned after three hours of meetings.
Correction: This article has been updated to include the approved rec league fee increases. Fees were raised between $10-$30, not $75 as previously indicated. That figure represents the base fee of most rec league sports prior to the increase.
