Commission talks road work, credit cards, budget

Commissioners discussed upcoming road work and the 2017-18 budget and approved a new credit card policy during their Wednesday, April 12 meeting. They also honored county clerk JoAnn Wrye for her five years of service to the county. County manager John Hanson said improvements to dirt roads – which is a continuation of SPLOST projects – will begin soon, including work on Old Zebulon Road, McKinley Road, McCard Lake Road, Wood Creek Road, Strickland Road and North Madden Bridge Road. He said there is about 174 miles of dirt roads that also need work. SPLOST collections are up by more than $56,000 compared to this time last year and LOST collections is up by more than $43,000 compared to this time last year. ’When making adjustments for that in the budget, we must be conservative but optimistic as well,’ said Hanson. ‘For now, the reality is that people are spending money in Pike County.’Calcium chloride treatments for dirt roads were also discussed and commissioner James Jenkins requested that a list of the first roads to be treated be created. Hanson also noted that work to widen Jonathan’s Roost Road will begin soon and the culvert work is nearly complete in the north end of the county on Stonemill Walk. The 2017-18 budget was presented to board members after several months of work preparing the budget. Hanson said he and his entire staff have worked tirelessly on the budget and said he will be glad to set up meetings with department heads or Constitutional officers if board members would like to ask any questions about the budget items. He noted that the board didn’t have to take any action other than to receive the first draft of the budget and it was unanimously received. The board approved a credit card policy that sets several parameters for all departments and includes new security measures. Commissioners discussed a rezoning request that had been postponed from the March 28 meeting. Commissioner Tim Daniel said more information was requested by board members because it was the type of business needed in Pike County but noted that zoning rules had been set for a reason and the requested rezoning would break every rule. Commissioners then voted unanimously to deny the request to rezone a property on Bottoms Road from A-R to C-3 to allow for an electrical company office and warehouse. The county also: ’¢ Approved a request to allow the Development Authority to negotiate on Coronal Solar Farm’s behalf regarding a bond issuance to help develop the project. County attorney Rob Morton said there is an economic incentive in the agreement regarding abatement of taxes for a 10-year period and the agreements meets legal requirements and is recommended for approval. ’¢ Authorized the county manager to sign the Medical/First Response License. ’¢ Held a closed session to discuss pending or potential litigation regarding the registrar’s office but reconvened shortly afterward to adjourn the meeting. ’¢ Approved a Council on the Aging Proclamation.