Hall Commission vows to ignore state law

GAINESVILLE - Hall County Commissioners voted Thursday night to supply badly needed water service to a south Hall community even if it means getting that water from neighboring Jackson County and ignoring a state law that forbids duplication of services.

Commissioner Bobby Banks’ motion called on Gainesville to run lines along roads in the Belmont community near the Jackson County line.
Wells are failing, either drying up or are tainted with iron, and residents told city and county officials at a town hall meeting Tuesday night in Belmont that they are having to haul in their own water supply in plastic containers.

“This is pathetic, that we live in Hall County and we have people who have to carry their water in jugs, we’ve got to do something about it,” Banks said.

Gainesville Public Utilities Director Kelly Randall told City Council members at their morning work session that design is under way on a $1-million project to supply water to the community.

Commissioners approved Banks’ motion to advance money from the recently passed Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, SPLOST VI, with Gainesville to reimburse the county in 2012 based on their current project schedule.
The project would be managed and bid by county public works, with the lines to be turned over to Gainesville in 2012 when the county receives repayment.

Commission Chairman Tom Oliver seconded the motion but amended it saying he wanted the quickest and best solution.

“At the same time we’re working on this, contact Jackson County, get all the details on their rates and time table, and if we cannot deal with Gainesville, then immediately contract with Jackson County,” Oliver said

Concerned citizen Larry Nix told commissioners nearby Jackson County’s rates are cheaper than Gainesville’s, with tap fees a $1,000 less and the per cubic foot water measure fee half what Gainesville’s is.

“House Bill 489 prevents Jackson County from coming into Hall County, but we’re going to make a decision to go forward with the best possible solution price wise,” Oliver said. “I don’t think the people who are carrying their water in jugs really care about House Bill 489 or that the water is going to be there 24 months from now at the earliest.”

BUDGET ADOPTED 3-2

Commissioners adopted their $92.6-million no tax increase budget, but the vote was not unanimous.
Vice Chairman Ashley Bell voted no, saying he was unsure of sales tax revenue projections.
Commissioner Steve Gailey questioned tax digest growth projections and voted no.
Chairman Tom Oliver with Billy Powell and Bobby Banks voted yes for the 2010 budget with its spending and hiring freezes, employee layoffs and continued unpaid furloughs.

ANNEXATION COMPLAINT

A proposed annexation move by Gainesville City Council approved Thursday morning drew reaction from commissioners.
Billy Powell said it’s going to cost county schools revenue and he wants Planning Director Randy Knighton to monitor the effort.
City Council approved an application to annex 100 acres of so called 'islands' of commercial property surrounded by the city in Gainesville's Gateway corridors.
Chairman Tom Oliver said the property owners have no say in the island annexations authorized by state law.


TIME FOR A CRACKDOWN

Commissioners suspended an Atlanta Highway convenience store's alcohol sales permit for 30 days for selling to an underage customer for the second time in three years.
Commissioner Banks voted for the suspension at Meeks Food Market and called for a crackdown on stores that sell alcohol to minors.
Commissioner Steve Gailey said vendors are supposed to check ID's regardless of age when selling alcohol or tobacco.