At their Feb. 15 meeting, the Habersham County Commission voted to deny two development plans in Clarkesville: a Verizon telecom tower and Flyhawk Farm and Tasting Room’s proposal to extend their business services to offer an event venue.
The telecom tower, which would have been placed at 493 Antique Alley Dr., was denied in a 4-1 vote, commissioner Bruce Palmer voting in favor of the tower. Citizens expressed concerns about the tower blocking the view of the mountains and the radiation the tower could emit. The tower would have expanded cell service in the area.
The Flyhawk Farm event venue proposal garnered a 13-signature petition against the business’s expansion of services from nearby property owners, citing noise and traffic concerns. The Habersham County Commission and Habersham County Planning Commission also received multiple letters from concerned citizens in opposition to the proposal. The commission voted unanimously to deny this proposal.
The commission unanimously voted to increase Habersham County employee’s cost of living (COLA) by 3 percent, which was approved last year but did not go into effect due to COVID-19 finance concerns. All but four employees in upper-level positions who are “considered to be fully compensated” will receive this pay increase beginning March 5.
The county will also issue a pay increase for county public works, roads and bridges, and landfill employees with commercial driver’s licenses (CDL). For employees with a CDL Class A license, they can expect another $2 per hour; those with a Class B license can expect another $1.50 per hour. This pay increase will take effect on March 5 as well.
“I think the raises were necessary to build morale and get us competitive with other counties who are paying more than what we’re paying our employees,” says Habersham County Commissioner Bruce Harkness.
Habersham recently received $1 million in federal CARES ACT funding, which Harkness says “will help pay for the raises.” He adds the county’s General Fund is also in “very good condition,” up approximately $2 million over this time last year.
A recording of Monday night’s Habersham County Commission meeting may be viewed here.
