Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris offered a $9 million plan to solve various problems in the county.
A total of $8 million would be spent from the fund balance of $15.3 million, according to Paris, with another $1 million already budgeted for a building project.
“I believe strongly that this is something that we need to do to prepare ourselves for the future and a bit of it is catch-up, too,” he said.
Paris presented the plan to the other commissioners at a work session on Feb. 8. He said he worked on the plan for three months.
For $9 million, the plan addresses $2.5 million in supplemental paving; $2.475 million for infrastructure; $1 million for property tax relief; a courthouse annex for $3 million; and creation of an elections board with $25,000.
Paris also included workforce housing changes to the county ordinances with no budget.
“Over a period of years, Gilmer County has fallen behind in providing the tools needed for our various departments to maintain the level of services that our citizens desire,” Paris read from the overview of the plan. “Although we are now in arguably the best position that we have ever known, we are also on the precipice of a level of growth that will be unprecedented in our history.”
Funds for supplemental paving would be used to pave or repave 23 additional roads.
Infrastructure spending would include repairing or replacing two bridges on Rock Creek Road and one on Boardtown Road which Paris has identified as priorities.
Funds would also be used to begin repurposing and refurbish fire stations to be used as actual manned stations. This would be spread out over five to 10 years.
Paris proposes reducing the rollback rate for 2023 an additional $1 million. The $1 million assessment would be added back in 2024 and would require the county to advertise a tax increase.
As far as a courthouse annex, Paris said the county has outgrown available space. He proposes buying or building a structure to house voter registration, early voting, UGA Extension Services, sheriff’s deputies and additional offices. He also calls for the doublewide housing the road department to be replaced.
Paris said he does not like the idea of an elections board, but he sees it as inevitable. He proposes creating an elections board of five members. Gilmer County’s Voter Registrar would chair the group. The remaining board members would be appointed one each by the county chair, each post commissioner and the probate judge.
To address workforce housing in Gilmer County, Paris proposes an R6 designation to accommodate duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes specifically for workforce housing. He said guidelines should be added to ensure the housing is just for residents working in the county and no section 8 funding is attached.
Post Commissioner John Marshall asked for a special called meeting to discuss the proposals. One has been set for 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the commissioner’s conference room.
“I’ve said for a long time we need to use that money for the benefit of the taxpayers, so I do like to see that,” said Post Commissioner Hubert Parker.
He said the proposed $1 million in tax relief for one year put the board in a bad spot, but there are a lot of good ideas.
At the regular meeting Feb. 9, Parker said he applauds Paris for presenting the plan, and he looks forward to working with him and Marshall to refine the plan.
Other business
﹣ Commissioners put a moratorium on crypto-mining or similar activity in Gilmer County for 12 months.
﹣ The board authorized bidding of the animal shelter expansion.
﹣ Heard the project to begin construction of a pool is being held up by wet weather, but digging will begin soon.