Short-term rental ordinance changes and animal shelter construction planned for future
In a busy Thursday, July 16 meeting, Gilmer County Commissioners decided on several issues facing the county.
On roads, the commissioners voted unanimously to accept Northwest Georgia Paving’s offer to repave Clear Creek Road for $1932,662.61.
According to Google Maps, the road is nearly 10 miles long.
The commissioners also unanimously voted to extend their moratorium on new developments larger than 50 lots up to six months.
This vote passed unanimously.
The reason for this change is that figuring out a development fee plan is taking longer than anticipated, Paris said.
One of the commission’s changes was changing the county’s minimum required bid amount from $100,000 to $200,000.
Under Georgia law, counties must open government projects that cost above a certain amount to bidding. This measure helps prevent corruption, favoritism and fraud by creating competition.
But using a bid process on every small purchase can waste time.
The worth of a dollar has halved since 2000, according to the U.S. Inflation Calculator.
As a result, a government project that cost $50,000 in 2000 would cost $100,000 today.
This factor and changes in Georgia law led the County Commissioners to unanimously vote for a higher bid limit.
“It’s a little more efficient and it saves us a bit of time,” County Commission Chair Charlie Paris said. “It’s a pretty old figure with the inflation we’ve had.”
In the next few months, the county plans to amend the short-term rental ordinance as well. The commissioners voted to advertise this plan.
The new version will have clarified definitions, better explanations and safety code changes, Short-Term Rental Department Director Mary Abernathy said.
Anyone with concerns about the current state of short-term rentals should publicly comment so the new law can serve the community well.
“There’ll be feedback from the general public,” she said. “Everyone will have an opportunity.”
The commissioners unanimously voted to charge a $35 fee for throwing away mattresses, to operate the Mountain Air Transit System with the help of North Georgia Community Action and to end the requirement for mobile home decals.
In the near future, the county has two major building projects.
The first is on the Gilmer County Animal Shelter. Commissioners voted unanimously to put out a design bid.
The second is a repair of the Gilmer County Courthouse’s roof and air conditioning system. Commissioners voted unanimously to replace the air conditioning system first.
On land use, the commissioners voted to add propane storage to the table of permitted land uses.
The commissioners also unanimously voted to redesignate $25,000 originally marked to buy the county a new server this year. Now, the money will be used to upgrade the security of county systems.
In addition, the commissioners voted Dr. Kalee Coakley onto the Keep Gilmer Beautiful Advisory Board.