Habersham County Probate Judge Pam Wooley has asked the Habersham County Commission to allow for the appointment of a temporary judge so she can recuse herself from a case in probate court. Commissioners will consider the request during their meeting on Monday, August 19.
The case involving the estate of Carol O’Dell Lovell, who passed away a few months ago, creates a conflict of interest for Wooley, and she cannot hear it. She has asked the county commission to consider setting the temporary judge’s per diem compensation at $500 per day until the case is resolved.
Department of Driver Services
In other business, the commission will consider a facility usage agreement on its consent agenda with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). According to that agreement, DDS would utilize a portion of the parking lot behind the aquatic center and classroom space inside the building to conduct its Motorcycle Safety Program from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
The proposal would give DDS permission to use the parking lot between the aquatic center and baseball/softball fields, space to store a conex container, and use of classroom space inside the aquatic center for testing.
Under the terms of the agreement, DDS would pay the county $150 per scheduled training session—up to twice per month (maximum of $300). DDS expects to have at least one training session scheduled per month year-round. Training would take place mostly during regular business hours, Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The county would have to pay extra part-time hours to cover 1.5 hours on Saturday and 3 hours on Sunday. The county says the proposed training would not interfere with the aquatic center’s regular operating hours but would affect parking near the tennis/pickleball courts. The county would have to post information about scheduled training weekends and schedule any large events around these dates.
New Business
Also, during Monday’s meeting, the county commission will consider two agreements with the Habersham County Board of Education (BOE) for the School Resource Officer (SRO) program.
The first agreement deals with transferring a sheriff’s office surplus vehicle to the BOE for the SRO program. The BOE anticipates hiring an additional SRO for the school system and needs an additional vehicle. According to information provided by the county, the sheriff’s office is prepared to transfer a surplus 2015 Dodge Charger with 213,640 miles on it to the school system. The vehicle is valued at $2,000.
The second agreement is for the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office. The Habersham County School District currently has one supervisor and 13 deputy sheriffs budgeted to serve as school resource officers within the school system.
Discussions between the sheriff’s office, school system, and county government have resulted in the proposed Memorandum of Understanding with 100% funding allocations for the 14 school resource officer positions by the school board. This would provide for school resource officer coverage at all of Habersham County’s schools.
Fairgrounds and Aquatic Center signs
In other business to be discussed Monday during the Habersham County Commission meeting, commissioners will consider a new sign for the fairgrounds and four scoreboards located at the ballfields behind the aquatic center.
The county says existing scoreboards are wired and use outdated technology and physical light bulbs. The cost and frequency of repairs make their maintenance highly unpredictable. Several boards share a single breaker, so when there is an issue with a single panel on one board, it can trip the whole system. The new scoreboards will be wireless, use LED screens, and will come with a warranty for their maintenance.
Electro-mech was awarded the contract for the Diamond Memorial Field scoreboards which were funded by the FY 2024 Parks and Recreation Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) budget. The original project for the four scoreboards was bid out in June and came in under budget. By adding the additional four scoreboards, the county says it will save approximately $30,000 on the entire project. The timing will also ensure all eight scoreboards will be replaced at one time.
Funding for the additional scoreboards would come from the Parks and Recreation FY 2025 CIP.
Fairground sign
County commissioners are also being asked to approve replacement of the fairground sign on Toccoa Highway/GA 17. According to the county, the current sign is in disrepair and on a Georgia Power easement, so it must be demolished. A new sign will be constructed ten feet away from the existing sign.
Through the bid process, the project has come in approximately $15,000 under budget for the demolition, construction, installation and training for the new sign with MetroLED, the county says.
The new sign would have up-to-date remote use technology, a lifetime wireless connection, and a five-year warranty for all parts and repairs. It would be roughly the same size as the existing sign, ensuring easy viewing from the road. The county says stonework has been designed to match the aesthetics of the Administrative Building sign.
The Habersham County Commission will meet on Monday, August 19, at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Jury Assembly Room in the Habersham County Courthouse located at 295 Llewellyn Street in Clarkesville.
