About Lake Oconee news. (Greensboro, GA) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 25, 2017)
Page A2 Lake Oconee News Friday, August 25,2017 GREENE COUNTY Lewis won't seek new term, eyes county commission Mark Engel engel@lakeoconeenews.us Greensboro city councilman Vincent Lewis says he is not going to run for re-elec tion. Lewis, 50, won a special election in spring 2015 to fill the unexpired term of former councilman Trey Rhodes who was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives. In the past two years, Lewis has been outspoken on many issues. He opposed allowing city employees to run for elected office. He supported buying security cameras so downtown Greensboro could be monitored 24/7. Most recently, he’s suggested that the elimination of the Greensboro Police De partment would save taxpayers $900,000, which could be a solution to the city’s tight budget. He says he is considering a run for the Greene County Commission in District 3 next year. The seat is currently held by Commissioner Jonathan Human. “I’ve been approached by several folks about that,” Lewis told the Lake Oconee News. “I’d like to have a seat at the table to represent the cities of Greensboro and Union Point.” Lewis owns Lewis Senior Living, a home for 18 residents in downtown Greensboro and buys and sells real estate. This was qualifying week for all residents who want to be candidates in the November municipal elections in Greene County. Greensboro city councilman Vincent Lewis says he will not run for re-election. Lewis says he is considering a bid for the District 3 seat on the Greene County Commission next year. Mark Engel/Staff Mark Engel/Staff The Greene County Commission listened to pitches from county department heads for increases in their 2018 budgets. Budget Continued from A1 been serving uncompen sated this year. She said the county, the city of Greensboro and Union Point would be dividing the $9,000 salary equally. But, she added that because Greene County and Union Point are in a legal battle over funding for the county emergency dispatch service, she didn’t know if Union Point was willing to pay its share. John Rivers of the Greene County Airport Authori ty asked for money to fix safety items at the county airport. Water lines need to be run to the ends of the runway to provide water for foam to use in case of emergency landings. The airport’s underground fuel storage tanks need to be removed and rebuilt as above ground tanks at a different location further from the runways. Rivers said both are mandated by the FAA, and the city could lose federal funding if the airport doesn’t make the changes. Chief Tax Appraiser Wayne Mitchell wanted $39,000 for another position in the six-person Tax Assessor’s office. “We are trying to do a seven- or eight- person job with six people,” Mitchell told the commissioners. He said that they’re able to handle all the new houses and commercial buildings but can only get to about 25 percent of the smaller items like docks, seawalls, decks, additions, porches and outbuildings. “For 2018,” he said, “I’m projecting that there will be $12,800,000 in value out there that we are not able to get on the docket. That’s $105,000 or thereabout in real tax revenue that you’re missing. Well, that perked up the commissioners. At the end of the two- hour meeting, Mitchell got his extra person, but the start date was delayed for six months. The Airport Authority, which gets money from selling fuel, federal funds and landing fees, was reminded that they had signed a loan agreement which said they would not come to the county for additional funding. The Airport Authority will need to determine how to cover the costs of repairs. The magistrate’s office will get $3,000 for its part- time judge only if Ogletree can work some deal with Union Point. Sheriff Harrison was turned down on the two additional police cars. If nothing changes here’s a look at what brought smiles to the Road Depart ment and some of the other additions in the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget: • $221,000 Pothole Patcher (Road Dept.) • $186,500 5 Posi tions to set up additional work crew (Road Dept.) • $165,000 New Boom Mower (Road Dept.) • $ 61,500 New Cardiac Monitor Machines (EMS) • $ 50,000 Traffic Signal at Carey Station/ West Lake Road (Road Dept.) • $ 24,000 New Truck (Road Dept.) • $ 20,000 Elec trical Improvements at Arena (Spec. Projects) • $ 12,000 New Body Cooler (Coroner) Everything is subject to change until the Com missioners vote on the new budget at a special called meeting Wednes day morning, Aug. 30 at 8 a.m. which is open to the public. When you’re selling a property... You need to be seen online. 92% of Buyers search online — so Coldwell Banker syndicates your listing to over 900 websites for maximum exposure. 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