Pike County Times
The Pike County Times, PO Box 843, Zebulon, Georgia 30295. Click here to donate through PayPal. Becky Watts: Phone # 770-468-7583 editor(@)pikecountytimes.com
 
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This online news website is owned and operated by Becky Watts. The Editor can be reached at 770-468-7583 or at editor(at)PikeCountyTimes(dot)com. Pike County Times is a website for citizens to keep up with local events and stay informed about Pike County government. It began on November 13, 2006 as a watchdog on county government and has turned into an online newspaper.

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PIKE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL CALLED MEETING
1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2019

[Note from the Editor: This is verbatim from the Post Agenda because I was out of town and could not attend this meeting.]

The Pike County Board of Commissioners held its Special Called Meeting on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. in the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, at 16001 Barnesville Street, Zebulon. Chairman Briar Johnson convened the meeting and Commissioners Tim Guy, Tommy Powers and James Jenkins attended. County Manager Bobby Bickley and County Clerk Angela Blount were also present. (O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1(e) (2)) Due to unforeseen circumstances Commissioner Daniel and County Attorney Rob Morton were unavailable to attend the meeting.

1. CALL TO ORDER ................................................................................ Chairman Briar Johnson

2. INVOCATION…………………………………………………………………….......Bart Brock

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ............................................................... Chairman Briar Johnson

4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA - (O.C.G A. 50-14-1 (e) (1))

Motion/second by Commissioners Powers/Guy to approve, motion carried 4-0.

5. FIRST READING OF THE FY 2019-20 BUDGET

County Manager Bobby Bickley addressed the Board that they have been presented with a copy of the Budget Summary for the 1st reading of the FY 2019-2020 Budget, as well as, a detailed layout of the Budget. CM Bickley stated he would be glad to answer any questions the Board may have or go over the summary or discuss line by line, whatever they prefer. County Manager Bickley stated as the Budget is presented right now; it is $303,000 over Expenditures. He noted that there has been some changes in Revenues since the last meeting, with some estimates that have came in from the Tax Commissioners office based off some State allocations of Motor Vehicle taxes. CM Bobby Bickley stated it appears that the percentage will be more towards the county level than the state level; in return will create more Revenues at the county level. That is shown in the $303,000. CM Bickley stated this reading also reflects a 7.7% increase in insurance. The initial presentation that was presented reflected a 20% increase in insurance. Reductions have been made in the Department line items of this Budget than the initial presentation because of insurance decrease. County Manager stated the 2nd reading will be May 23rd and Final reading will be May 28th.

Commissioner Powers asked what is the total dollar amount on the Insurance with a 7.7% increase. County Manager Bobby Bickley stated the dollar amount would probably be just below $100,000. Chairman Briar Johnson asked if the City and the County could do insurance together. CM Bickley stated they cannot.

Commissioner Powers asked what the total budget increase is over last year. CM Bickley stated it was about $230,000, it reflects $1.6 million but last year SPLOST was not included in the Revenues or Expenditures. This year’s Budget reflects SPLOST in the Revenues and Expenditures of $1.3 million. There is also a due from of $637,000, if you take the $1.3M and the $637,000 out of $1.6M, the total increase comes out to be about $230,000 more than last year budget. County Manager Bobby Bickley stated this is supported by the Revenues.

Commissioner Powers asked about the millage rate increase from last year. CM Bickley stated there should not be a millage increase this year since the County will have the Revenues to support the Expenditures. County Manager Bickley stated we won’t know that for sure until the end of summer but is not expecting a millage rate increase because of our Revenues to support the Expenditures.

Commissioner Powers stated he is not ready to give the ambulance service an additional $50,000 that is shown in the Budget. He asked who made the decision to pay the ambulance service an additional $50,000. Chairman Briar Johnson stated that Bill with Grady made an offer of $50,000 and that the offer would have to be brought back to the Commissioners. Nothing has been voted on. CM Bobby Bickley stated that the $50,000 increase for ambulance service has been included in the Budget presented to be voted on. Commissioner Powers stated he is not happy with it and he has a hard time approving this Budget with an increase for Senior Citizens on a fixed income. Commissioner Jenkins stated he suggested months ago for RFPs to be sent out regarding ambulance services so it would not be last minute and nothing was done. Chairman Briar Johnson stated that no decision has been made on ambulance service and Bill at Grady was told the offer would have to be presented to the Commissioners to be voted on.

Commissioner Guy made a motion to receive the 1st reading. Commissioner Powers said he could not second it because he is not happy with it. Motion failed lack of second.

6. ADJOURNMENT

Motion/second by Commissioners Guy/Powers to adjourn at 1:17 p.m., motion carried 4-0.

[Note from the Editor: If you appreciate being able to read information from county meetings for free on Pike County Times, please make a donation to Pike County Times through the PayPal link at the bottom of the page or by check to Pike County Times at PO Box 843, Zebulon so I can justify the amount of time that I am spending away from family. It may not seem like much but sitting in a meeting and then typing it up takes a lot more time than you might imagine! Thanks for reading Pike County's only FREE newspaper.]

Submitted 5.19.19
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