Gilmer County commissioners used a special called meeting to finalize some outstanding details.
Issues discussed included a new phone system for the county, an HVAC system for the jail and courthouse and division of the coming LOST period.
Over several meetings, Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris updated the board on estimates for a new phone system for the county from ETC and Verizon.
In previous meetings, it was said the comparisons were never apples to apples. In the last estimate, Paris said ETC waived an up-front fee and came in at a lower monthly cost.
“I’m glad ETC sharpened their pencil, said Post Commissioner Karleen Ferguson.
ETC’s proposed cost per month will be $2,362 for the county plus up to possible additions of $500 worth of services. Even with all additions, this represents a $600 savings from the county’s current monthly bill.
A unanimous vote was taken to approve the contract.
HVAC
As part of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Gilmer County is looking to replace HVAC systems at the courthouse and jail.
“We originally had planned to do the courthouse first,” Paris said. “But, I am told that there are more problems out at the county jail.”
In the current ARPA, more than $600,000 is allocated for HVAC. A second round of funding is coming next fiscal year.
“Why don’t you bid them both at the same time and possibly save money,” said Post Commissioner Hubert Parker.
Paris said it is estimated both projects together will cost more than a $1 million.
It was agreed the projects would be bid together, but be able to be taken separately.
LOST
At a previous special meeting, discussion on the division of the Local Option Sales Tax, mayors from both Ellijay and East Ellijay asked for the split to return to the same levels as the previous decade.
Established in 1975 and amended in 1976, LOST is a 1 percent sales tax which is divided between the county and the two cities.
Since the last LOST negotiation almost a decade ago, Gilmer County has been receiving 75 percent, Ellijay 16 percent and East Ellijay 9 percent.
Under the proposed LOST, the split would be 73 percent, 17 percent and 10 percent.
“That’s where I am at,” Ellijay Mayor Al Hoyle said at the previous meeting. “If I could just get us the 1 percent back that we lost last time, 10 years ago.”
Both mayors said the percentages had been changed previously to help the county during a tough financial time.
“I hate to see it appear as though we are losing something, because I don’t think we really are,” said Parker. “Number two, we have to realize where most of this Local Option Sales Tax comes from.”
The board agreed the 73/17/10 split was agreeable.
“We feel it is an equitable distribution,” said Paris.