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PACE 2A THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2008 Banks County DFACS spending up slightly BY SHARON HOGAN Banks County Department of Family and Children Ser vices Director Kenny Jarvis said at a meeting on Wednes day, Oct. 15, that spending is slightly over budget for the year. Jarvis said a total of $9,205 of the county budget has been spent during the first three months of the fiscal year. “We have spent 27 percent of the budget and 25 percent of the year has passed,” Jarvis said. “We will need to keep a close watch on the spending.” A total of $3,864 in county funds was spent during the month of September, Jarvis said. The biggest portion of this was for clothing for foster children, Jarvis added. OTHER BUSINESS In other business at Wednes day's meeting: •Jarvis presented the month ly economic support services report. Jarvis said, “We are at full staff in economic sup port.” The economic support staff saw a 30 percent increase in food stamps cases over last year, Jarvis said. During Sep tember, there was a total of 678 food stamps cases com pared to 516 last year. Family Medicaid cases were up from 621 last year in September to 772 this year. Adult Medicaid cases in September were at 540 and childcare cases were at 22 for the month. •Jarvis also presented the Social Services report for Sep tember. Child Protective Ser vices (CPS) received 18 refer rals in September, three were screened out and 15 were ac cepted. CPS has 17 ongoing family preservation cases, Jarvis said. There are 12 chil dren in Banks County DFACS legal custody and six children are boarding in Banks County from other counties, Jarvis said. Banks County now has five approved foster homes, Jarvis said. •Jarvis reported that the DFACS meeting with the school counselors held in Sep tember went well. •Jarvis said there has been no change on the status of a new building. The next regularly sched uled meeting of the Banks County DFACS board will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the DFACS office in Homer. Maysville City Council looks at budget concerns BY JUSTIN POOLE Maysville is one step closer to establishing a 2009 budget. The city council met Saturday to discuss the budget and other matters at a “workshop retreat” in Homer. Concerns about the budget ranged over water issues to public safety. The council discussed budgeting for the water department, including previous increases due to fuel prices and noted that that the city's mini-truck would help to cut back on the amount of fuel the water department uses. Budget increases stem from the increase in the cost of necessary chemicals. Moving on to public safety, the council looked at the possibility of replacing the oldest police car. The council has seen quotes on a Dodge Charger and a Ford Crown Victoria, both with the same police equipment. Council member Clay Dorsey suggested also trying to find a used model. Funds are left from the 2008 budget that were set aside for a car. The council agreed that utilizing these funds and SPLOST funds should be looked into. Mayor Jerry Baker said that many residents had commented about wanting 24-hour police presence. The council discussed having police chief Clarence Sullens look into the feasibility of a 24-hour force. In addition, during the work session, the council discussed: •the Downtown Development Authority issue about the legality of its members serving. A letter from Melody Stancil, chair of the DDA, requested that all the members of the DDA resign and then the council start the process over. The council appears to be in agreement to allow the resignations and then appointing new members that meet the requirements. •the approaching deadline for the use of the remaining Banks County SPLOST funds. Mayor Jerry Baker suggested that the council might consider using the remaining funds on the water tanks. The council convened in a short voting session to approve a bid of $750 from James Short Tractor & Equipment for a pallet fork attachment for the tractor. The funds would came from the SPLOST fund. •library budget and looking into adding a computer course and holding a GED course for the community. •meet with the workers about the rescue building and finding out the exact design for the building as well as a security fence and external lights. •raises for the council members. The members seemed to agree that with the current economic hardships that it would not be wise to do so. 'Mended Hearts Walk' ahead Sat. at Hurricane Shoals BJC Mended Hearts Chap ter #171 will hold a “Walk for Mended Hearts” on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Hurricane Shoals Park near Maysville. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the walk will start at 9 a.m. Tax deductible donations are being sought. Send donations to: BJC Mended Hearts, c/o Jerry Archer, P.O. Box 697, Com merce, GA 30529. Proceeds will go to scholarships offered by the chapter. Anyone who gives a dona tion will be registered to win a prize, and does not have to be present to win, coordinators say. Included in the prizes will be a hand knitted shawl and an old, rare silver dollar. This year, two $500 scholar ships were given to students en rolled in a nursing program. For more information, contact Betty Ann Mathis, 706-335-5875. Mended Hearts is a support group for heart pa tients and their families. Anyone interested may attend the walk and the monthly meetings. Vote counting to be held at old elementary school Betty Thomas, probate judge, reports that the count ing of the election results for the Nov. 4, General Election will be held at the old elemen tary school, 335 Evans Street, Homer. This is the temporary location for the offices of the courts during the courthouse renovation. The counting of the votes will begin after the polls close at 7 p.m. and, as always the public is welcome to be a part of this process. The consolidating process of all the returns for Banks County will begin Wednes day, Nov. 5, at 10 a.m. at this location. Summaries of Nov. 4 ballot questions available online Summaries of the three proposed amendments to the Georgia constitution are available on a website, according to secretary of state Karen Handel. The amendments will be on the general election bal lot on Nov. 4. The first proposed amend ment would encourage the preservation of Georgia’s forests through a conserva tion use property tax reduc tion program. The second proposed amendment would autho rize local school districts to use tax funds for communi ty development purposes. The third proposed amendment would autho rize the creation of special infrastructure development districts providing infra structure to underserved areas. The summaries and con stitutional amendments in their entirety are available at: www.sos.ga.gov/Elec- tions/2008_amendments. htm. A copy of the constitu tional amendments in their entirety is on file in the of fice of the judge of the pro bate court and is available for public inspection. Printed copies of the summaries are available at county elections superin tendents and the secretary of state's offices. To obtain a printed copy of the summaries from the secretary of state, call 404-656-2871. Health board to meet The Banks County Board of Health will hold a public hearing regarding proposals to adopt rules and regula tions for rabies control and minimum lot sizes for struc tures using on-site sewage management systems in Banks County. The date and time of the hearing will be Thursday, Oct. 30 at 3 p.m. The location will be the Banks County Health Department located at 667 Thompson Street in Homer. Copies of the proposed regulations may be obtained at the Banks County Health Department. urday Friday a urciay Sunday 6 am-2 pm 6-Q pm ll am-3 pm A/i You Can Eat Catfish on Friday & Saturday AJfyhts.f Dine with friends in a warm environment at Sarah's, a family-operated restaurant featuring homecooked meals made with only fresh ingredients. 6 Worrier St. . 706-652-0070 On the Jackson/Banks county line in Maysville NOTICE NEW OPERATING HOURS WASTE MANAGEMENT R&B LANDFILL MONDAY-FRIDAY 5:00 AM-4:00 PM SATURDAY 6:00 AM TO 11:00 PM SUNDAY CLOSED This will be in effect as of November 27,2008. PUBLIC NOTICE Effective November 1, 2008 - Banks County water/sewer rates and tap fees will increase as follows: Banks County Water Rates Tap and Connection Fees Sewer Rates: 110% of Water Bill Water Rates: Residential Water Rates: Commercial Includes First 2,000 gallons $17.50 Minimum $25.00 Minimum 2,001 to 6,000 gallons $4.85 per thousand $5.00 per thousand 6,001 to 10,000 gallons $5.05 per thousand $5.20 per thousand 10,001 to 15,000 gallons $5.20 per thousand $5.40 per thousand 15,001 to 25,000 gallons $5.40 per thousand $5.60 per thousand Over 25,000 gallons $5.60 per thousand $5.80 per thousand Tap/Connection Fee: Water - Residential Meter Size Proposed Tap Fee Deposit Connection Fee Total 3/4” $850.00 $100.00 $525.00 $1,475.00 1” $900.00 $100.00 $700.00 $1,700.00 2” $2,500.00 $200.00 $1,500.00 $4,200.00 Water - Commercial 3/4” See Note 1 $100.00 $2,225.00 $2,325.00 1” See Note 1 $100.00 $3,850.00 $3,950.00 2” See Note 1 $200.00 $12,150.00 $12,350.00 3” See Note 1 $300.00 $26,500.00 $26,800.00 4” See Note 1 $400.00 $47,750.00 $48,150.00 6” See Note 1 $600.00 $106,100.00 $106,700.00 8” See Note 1 $800.00 $181,700.00 $182,500.00 Fire Service Meter See Note 1 NA $3,500.00 $3,500.00 Sewer Water Meter Size Prooosed Tao Fee Deposit Connection Fee Total 3/4” See Note 1 $100.00 $3,600.00 $3,700.00 1” See Note 1 $100.00 $6,250.00 $6,350.00 2” See Note 1 $200.00 $19,700.00 $19,900.00 3” See Note 1 $300.00 $42,950.00 $43,250.00 4” See Note 1 $400.00 $77,300.00 $77,700.00 6” See Note 1 $600.00 $171,600.00 $172,200.00 8” See Note 1 $800.00 $294,000.00 $249,800.00 Account Re-establishment: $115.00 (100.00 Deposits/$15.00 Cut On) Hvdrant Meter: Monthly Rental Fee $30.00 $25.00 Base Rate Includes First 2,000 Gallons $5.00 Per Thousand 2,001 To 6,000 Gallons $5.20 Per Thousand 6,001 to 10,000 Gallons $5.40 Per Thousand 10,001 To 15,000 Gallons $5.60 Per Thousand 15,001 To 25,000 Gallons $5.80 Per Thousand Over 25,000 Gallons Notes: 1. Developer required in furnish and install all taps and meters for commercial water and sewer services. Work to be inspected and approved by Banks County. 2. Tap fees for all meters greater than 8” shall be calculated by the County Engineer based on usage and calculated to residential use (ERU) of 350 GPD. 3. For master meters serving more than one unit, the fee shall be the larger of the rate shown or the equivalent of a 3/4” tap for each unit served by such meter.