The Gilmer County Board of Commissioners are working to come up with solutions for recent citizens’ grievances.
Lights shining through windows and paying for trash were some of the topics discussed at their work session on Wednesday, April 9.
Light pollution ordinance
Commissioners have heard complaints about strong lights shining into neighbors’ homes. The question was asked if the board could pass an ordinance.
“We will have to be careful and delicate about [the possible ordinance],” Chairman Charlie Paris said. “People have the right to light their own backyard, not so sure they have the right to light everybody else’s backyard.”
Commissioner Karleen Ferguson asked if this would include lights shining from a commercial building into a residence. Paris noted this ordinance would focus mainly on residential disputes.
Sheriff Stacy Nicholson said, “It’s a problem, and we get called on these complaints a lot. We don’t get called on [lights shining from businesses]. We get called when there’s already a pre-existing dispute and light is intentionally involved. The problem for us is that there’s no direct response we can give on that.”
He added that he’s glad commissioners are looking into light pollution. On Friday, April 11, the board voted to authorize County Attorney David Clark to draft an ordinance.
Trash rate complaints
County commissioners are working on a solution for complaints they’ve received on convenience center waste rates.
Paris said their charge of $1 for three bags of trash is in line with surrounding counties, but noted that it is difficult for the county to manage and administer.
Commissioners have been trying for years to figure out a better way for people to pay to dispose of their trash, like with a card instead of just exact change, but those efforts have failed.
Before having to pay, Gilmer citizens could drop off their garbage for free, supported by taxes. Commissioners started charging when the county faced a cash flow issue it is no longer experiencing, he said.
Between now and setting the millage rate in July, Paris wants commissioners to think about eliminating a bond mil so they don’t have to charge residents to pay for trash. The millage rate would stay the same, and community members will have the chance to provide input before any decisions are made.
Other business
Also at last week’s meeting, Gilmer County Fire and Rescue got their bid for a new ambulance approved. The board also voted to appoint Steven Duncan as Magistrate Judge.
Commissioners are amending their budget to add $29,000 to their Emergency Management funds. This will come from their general fund to pay for salaries after combining their coordinator and deputy director roles.
A public hearing was held Friday, April 11, over amendments to the “Purchases by the Board of Commissioners; disposal of surplus property.”
“We are modifying our construction bid practice so instead of having to bid anything where over $50,000 is being spent in a given year, we are raising that to $100,000,” Paris said.
He explained that the amendments come after the state legislature made the same change to account for inflation. Commissioners voted to approve the first reading of these amendments.