The Habersham County Commission gathered for its winter retreat on Thursday, February 13, at the Clarkesville Community House. The all-day event, attended by department heads, consultants, and a handful of citizens, provided an opportunity for the commission to receive important updates from various county departments.
Animal shelter update
One of the most anticipated updates was on the construction of the new animal shelter. Public Works Director Jerry Baggett announced that the value engineering plans, which incorporated changes made a couple of months ago, have been completed. The construction manager is preparing to put the project out to bid.
Baggett said a groundbreaking ceremony for the shelter is planned for this spring. The facility will be located off Old Athens Highway behind South Habersham Middle School in Cornelia. The site currently has space for only about 25 vehicles but Baggett said the county is working to clear additional area for more parking to accommodate attendees.
The ceremony is expected to take place late afternoon/early evening after daylight saving time begins, which will be after March 9.
Financial update
Interim Finance Director Kiani Holden provided the commission with an update on the county’s financial position. For the first six months of fiscal year 2025, the county has collected $28.6 million in revenue, which is 73.15% of the $39.1 million budgeted for the fiscal year. In expenditures, the county has spent $16.6 million, or 42.41% of the budgeted amount.
Holden also reported on grants the county has applied for and received. The county applied for $6.6 million in state grants and received $4.79 million by June 30, 2024. In federal grants, the county applied for $13.7 million and received $6.4 million by the same date.
Looking ahead, Holden explained that the budget process for fiscal year 2026 is already underway. A Budget Committee meeting is scheduled for March 25-27, where departments, constitutional officers, and elected officials will review and discuss budget proposals.
Interim County Manager Tim Sims also updated the commission on discussions with the consultant for the Tax Assessor’s Office. According to Sims, the county hopes to receive the final digest numbers by the end of May.
The commissioners are expected to adopt the fiscal year 2026 budget and set the county millage rate by June 23, 2025.
