Gilmer County commissioners renamed their new home along with the meeting area next door.
Bestowing the name upon the buildings was part of a light June agenda for the work session and regular meeting held June 11 and 12, which also saw Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris phoning into the meeting due to illness. Many items were tabled or pushed to the July meeting dates.
As commissioners take possession of the Piedmont medical offices and meeting area on Industrial Blvd., the board decided the buildings needed new names to befit their new use.
From now on the office building will be named the Gilmer County Administration Offices, and the meeting room next door will become the Gilmer County Community Center.
Commissioners have already moved into the new building with other offices, including the sheriff’s department being phased in as space becomes available.
Animal shelter
At their work session commissioners heard from Gilmer County Animal Shelter Director Kelly Pickering about ongoing operations.
Intakes at the shelter are pushing their limits, Pickering said. For every one adoption the shelter can process, 10 animals are waiting to come into the facility.
Transport of animals to other areas, mainly up north for adoption, which has been one solution to overcrowding, is on hold because they no longer have room.
Agriculture construction
A measure to discuss reduced rates for permits for agriculture construction was floated by Paris.
It was tabled to allow Gilmer County Planning and Zoning Director Jim Smith and Paris to come up with some cost analysis.
Smith said agriculture buildings are already charged at five cents per square foot less and poultry houses are a flat $500.
Talking trash
Commissioners approved an extension on the county waste disposal with Waste Pro, the current provider.
Previously, the board approved an exemption to allow for negotiations with the waste service provider because of issues the last time a contract was negotiated. The county was without a formal contract for six months.
Gilmer County Public Works Director Ryan Steingruber said Waste Pro agreed to a 5 percent increase and fixed rates for two years. After two years, increases will be tied to the consumer price index.
Board appointments
Several appointments were made by commissioners, including:
﹣ Sandi Holden for deputy clerk
﹣ Tiffany Watson to the Family and Children’s Service board
﹣ Hubert Parker to the Gilmer County Water and Sewage Authority board
﹣ Jody Henry and Jerry Johnson to the Gilmer County Library board.