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About The Commerce news. (Commerce, Ga.) 1???-current | View Entire Issue (May 18, 2016)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016 THE COMMERCE NEWS • THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS PAGE 3A Water ... Cont. from Page 1A Vote ... Cont. from Page 1A The NWA respond ed with its own ad in this week’s Commerce News and Jackson Herald. The response notes that it was not “invited” to participate in SPLOST discussions and states that “Jackson Coun ty taxpayers should be out raged that their government is spending taxpayer dollars to place a mud-slinging ad against the NWA.” It further responds that the authority “has not pursued the instal lation of the interconnec tion with JCWSA because we produce and treat our own water.” Then the ad takes a shot at the Jackson County Water & Sewerage Authority. “JCWSA and apparently the Jackson County government would like for NWA to become dependent on them so they can monopolize the county water distribution as men tioned in the stab ad May 11,” it says. “To quote the ad, ‘the citizens of all Jack- son County can and will be served by JCWSA as money becomes available (look out city governments with your own water systems — you are next.” Meanwhile, the Jackson County Water & Sewerage Authority is stuck in the mid dle of the dispute. Manager Eric Klerk said that Dempsey is right in that JCW&SA has made no offer regarding an interconnection to NWA, let alone agreeing to pay for it. “We have talked about it internally and staff would be willing probably to recom mend paying for the connec tion,” Klerk said, adding that such a decision would be up to the authority not its staff. Klerk confirmed that he made an offer to sell water to Nicholson. “We want to sell water to Nicholson, because we’re dumping so much water on the ground (due to dead-end lines and loss of chlorina tion),” he said. “I gave them what I thought was a good deal, and we’re waiting for their response... In the interest of selling water as opposed to dumping it on the ground, I think our board would pay for the connection.” Klerk feels that the author ity is caught in the middle of a squabble not of its making. “The ad is not helping my case here,” he said. He offered the opinion that the wording of the ad reinforces the incorrect perception that the Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority is under the umbrella of the county government. Like the Nicholson Water Authority, it is a legislatively created gov ernment entity. Klerk termed the offer of water sales to NWA as “extending an olive branch.” That offer also carries the caveat that Nicholson must buy 2.9 million gal lons per month to qualify for the $1.90 per 1,000 price Klerk offered. The ad Crow placed did not mention that requirement. As for the idea that buying water from the county would enable the NWA to drop its rates, Klerk was unimpressed. “To say we can lower the water rates when we don’t know their debt or what their operating expenses are is kind of wild,” he commented. “I try to stay out of poli tics,” Klerk added, “but it’s not always possible.” Council ••• Cont. from Page 1A $550,000 and which will be financed over 10 years • increased funding for the Downtown Development Authority for a part-time worker and new banners •the funding of depreci ation. “We have never fund ed depreciation before,” Wascher pointed out. “It has always been a goal of mine to get it in there.” • a new GPS unit for the planning and zoning depart ment • three new police cars • a new van for transport ing inmate crews • new tmcks for the public works, garage and electric departments •a dump tmck, probably used, for the wastewater treatment plant •a smoke tester and camera trailer for the waste- water department so it can conduct sewer line camera inspections in-house. The cost is estimated at $130,000 to $140,000. • new chairs for the civic center Major capital projects include the valves and boost er pump designed to improve pressure in the southern part of the system, water main extensions, a new belt press for the wastewater treatment plant, the Jefferson Road sidewalk extension project and the resurfacing of roads — all of which will be funded with SPLOST (special pur pose local option sales tax) revenue. Budget Exclusions Wascher also named a number of items he would like to have in the budget, but which will not be fund ed. They include merit raises for employees, an additional code enforcement employ ee, replacement of trees in the downtown, additional chairs for the civic center, a tmck to haul chemicals for the wastewater plant, a work tmck for the gas department, full funding of a gas main project, a command vehicle for the fire department, addi tional part-time hours for the library, replacement of nine computers at the library and repairs to the city swimming pool. Other Business Also on Monday the city council: •learned that the city’s water plant won “water plant of the year” for Georgia from the Georgia Association of Water Professionals for water plants in its size range. • recognized the Com merce High School track teams for nine state first- place finishes in various track and field events and the boys’ team’s state title. • approved a list of streets to be resurfaced during 2016. •approved a resolution needed by the Commerce Board of Education for its bond refinancing. • approved a water sales/ purchase agreement with the Jackson County Water & Sewerage Authority. • approved an amend ment to its 401k retirement plan to fund former city manage Pete Pyrzenski’s 401k relative to his severance package. •heard Wascher report that all city funds are in the black 10 months into the fis cal year. Commissioners fund animal shelter BY ALEX PACE Jackson County will soon have an animal shelter. The Jackson County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement to purchase prop erty and a kennel to board dogs and cats on May 16. The contract was approved with Gentzel Properties LLC for 2.33 acres at 131 Galilee Church Road. The property and existing kennel at the location will cost the coun ty $259,500, plus $28,000 for needed upgrades. The project was included in the recently approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax VI, and the county will be reimbursed $250,000 from that SPLOST. The county has been dis cussing its options for an ani mal shelter after losing the abil ity to board animals at local vets. The existing kennel at the site has 60 spaces for dogs, but some of those will be convert ed for cats. The project could be com pleted as early as this fall, although a completion date has not been set. Also at its meeting, the BOC approved: • further negotiations with the University of Geor gia Extension 4-H to use the Center Park for the archery teams. The county would likely lease the property to the group for $1 a year in exchange for some mainte nance and utilities. Any reve nues from events would likely be split equally between the two groups. Jackson County Extension agent Greg Pitt man spoke about the grow ing archery program and its need for a permanent facility. BOC member Ralph Richard son questioned if adequate facilities are available to other 4-H programs. Pittman said he plans to continue working with the BOC and Jackson County Board of Education on facilities needs. • Bucky Sorrow to the parks and recreation advisory board for one year. • a worker’s compensation resolution that combines two previous resolutions. •spending $15,600 for crack seal and remarking at the Jackson County Airport for the local five percent share. The remainder is funded by the Federal Aviation Admin istration (90 percent) and Georgia Department of Trans portation. • the Airport Layout Plan to address land use issues and make corrections. •the purchase of an ambulance from Emergency Vehicle Sales of Elberton for $222,500. The ambulance will be used at Med 2 in Jefferson to replace an older vehicle. The older vehicle will rotate to another station. • a contract with Allied Pav ing Contractors Inc., for an estimated $1.3 million for road paving on 2016 and 2017 road projects. Funding will come from Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant money and SPLOST. •the purchase of a back- hoe for the transfer station, to come out of the Transfer Station Fund. • an intergovernmental agreement with the Jackson County Water and Sewer age Authority for its 2016 series bonds. The JCWSA issues the bonds and the BOC is responsible for the debt. The authority plans to issue $6 million in bonds for its projects from Bank of America (up to 2.5 percent interest). This would leave $30 million in SPLOST VI for the JCWSA. and streams by mandatory buffers, automatic voter registration with the issuance of a driver’s license and an amendment of the Georgia Constitution to allow the governor to take over the operations of failing school systems. Republicans will be queried on whether Georgia tax dollars for education should follow students who enroll in private, virtual and home schools. Candidates with opposition include: BOC chairman • Tom Crow (R), incumbent • Ben Stephens (R) BOC District 1 • Jim Hix (R) incumbent • Janet Hunt (R) • Dan Torbett (R) Sheriff • Janis Mangum (R), incumbent • Randy Moore (D) State Rep. House 31 •Tommy Benton (R), incumbent • Wes Lewis (R) State Senate District 50 • Roy Benifield (R) •John Wilkinson (R), incumbent State Senate District 47 •Frank Ginn (R), incumbent • Tyler Hollifield (R) U.S. Congress, District 9 • Paul Broun (R) • Doug Collins (R) incumbent • Roger Fitzpatrick (R) • Bernie Fontaine (R) • Mike Scupin (R) U.S. Senate • Mary Kay Bacallao (R) • Derrick Graysoin (R) • Johnny Isakson (R) incumbent • Jim Barksdale (D) • Cheryl Copeland (D) • John F. Coyne III (D) • James Knox (D) Georgia Public Service Commissioner • Kellie Pollard Austin (R) • Tim Echols (R) incumbent • Michelle Miller (R) U.S. 129 widening project goes to Pittman Construction The Georgia Depart ment of Transportation last week awarded 27 con tracts for $246 million in construction projects. The largest of those was $44 million for the widening of seven miles of U.S. 129 from the intersection with Hwy. 332 near Talmo in Jackson County into Hall County. The project includes the construction of a bridge and approaches over Allen Creek. The work is expect ed to be completed by April 2020. Pittman Construction Company was the low bid der. Also among the contracts approved were: •resurfacing of 1.5 miles of U.S. 441 in Banks County, beginning North of Faulkner Road and going north of Hwy. 164. •the resurfacing of 1.5 miles of Hwy. 15 in Banks and Jackson counties, beginning at Steve Reyn olds Industrial Parkway and extending north to just beyond Faulkner Road. C.W. Matthews Contracting Co., Marietta, submitted the low bid of $1.01 million. The completion date is March 31, 2017 •2.8 miles of resurfac ing on U.S. 441 beginning north of Faulkner Road and extending north of Hwy. 164. E.R. Snell Contractor, Snellville, won the contract with a bid of $1.34 million. The completion date is March 31, 2017. % ARNELL Ask about EMORIALS ] purchase. An MBD Enterprises Co. Serving this community since 1962. Office located at 220 Hwy. 441 S. in Commerce, GA. 706-335-4066 Hours: Monday - Friday 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Saturday By appointment only • Closed Sunday **We accept M/C, Visa and offer a lay-a-way plan. Nicholson Water Authority eyes leak policy The Nicholson Water Authority will hold a special work session prior to next month’s regular meeting to discuss a potential leak policy. After hearing a pitch from a leak insurance company earli er in the year, the water author ity decided its best course of action was to design its own policy to protect against losses from leaks. The proposed policy would tack on an additional $2 per month to each customer’s bill. Customers who decide to enroll in the leak policy would be protected for losses up to $300. Secretary Ginger Dempsey reported that most leaks are caught early and cost custom ers under $30, but she also noted that Nicholson experi ences approximately one big leak ($300-$500) per month. The water authority will discuss the leak policy at 6 $ 5 00 0FF Ticket Ot‘2(T Or More. Valid with coupon Mon.-Thurs. only. La Hacienda Commerce La Hacienda Braselton 173 Steven B. Tanger Blvd. 5391 Highway 53 706-335-7458 706-654-0070 I The Original Mexican Restaurant! Not affiliated with any other restaurant. | p.m. on July 14. In other business, Mike Stowers recently resigned as the chair of the Nicholson Water Authority. Stowers cited an “increased workload in his public job” as his reason for resigning. WAN TED! NEW CUSTOMERS We have money to lend. Installment loans from $238 to $1,516* SECURITY FINANCE Your friend When You Need SSS 1816 N Broad St Commerce, GA 30529 (706) 335-3551 wwwsecurity-flnance.com 'All loans are subject to credit limitations and our underwriting policies. Actual loan proceeds may vary based upon loan terms and any ancillary products selected. Dollar amounts are rounded to the lowest whole dollar. Serving Others with Integrity, Trust, and Fairness Shannon Gowder Probate Judge Vote
