County insurance cost rises, grants help public safety
The Gilmer County Board of Commissioners addressed several issues at their Wednesday, June 10 board meeting.
Of the three commissioners, only Chairman Charlie Paris and Post Two Commissioner John Marshall were present.
This year, the county’s insurance bills went up by about $24,100.
This figure comes from two separate factors.
Gilmer is insured by the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) because it offers higher levels of security.
The ACCG raised its insurance rates by 4 percent this year. In Gilmer, this decision has added about $22,000 to the cost of insurance.
In addition, Gilmer has bought a new ladder truck. Insurance for this truck will cost about $2,100.
Since the county doesn’t plan to change its insurance, the two commissioners voted to pay this increased rate.
“Frankly, that’s the only choice we have,” Marshall said.
Gilmer’s Emergency Management Director Aaron Freeman told the commissioners his department had received a $10,000 safety grant.
“We are in the process of purchasing stuff for the safety grant now,” he said.
The Gilmer County Animal Shelter (GCAS) is pursuing a $18,000 grant from the Department of Agriculture, its director, Kelly Pickering said.
“It will all go to the Ellijay Animal Hospital,” she said.
If received, this grant will allow the shelter to spay and neuter more animals, better controlling the population.
Finally, Paris announced that the new recreation center will likely be funded by bond money.
“We are anticipating issuing bonds, but not through the building authority,” Paris said.
These government bonds will be connected to the current special purpose local option sales tax and will expire when the tax ends.
“It’s not going to be one of these 25-year deals,” Paris said.
This rule means that bond holders won’t be able to hold the bonds indefinitely and profit immensely when they cash in their investment.