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By Sharon D. McGahee

Dispatch Correspondent

 

 

The June 18 Dooly County Commission meeting convened with commissioner Harry Ward absent and Commission Chair Terrell Hudson participating via teleconference.

As the fiscal year nears the end on June 30, the preparation of the 2021 county budget begins, Dooly County Administrator Steve Sanders is keeping an eye on end of the year spending.

He said, 2021 budget “worksheets will be sent to department heads,” and the final budget completed by the July deadline.

With an audible “Halleluiah,” the commission set into motion an agreement with Georgia Department of Transportation, (GDOT) to fund “roughly” 90 per cent or up to $538,000 of the cost towards the repair of three temporarily closed roads —Springhill, Teate and Tri County roads.

The purchase of mowers and two new tractors for the Department of Public Works was extended for discussion on the July 2 agenda.

The county has hired Glenn A. Layson as the new Building and Zoning Administrator, a position that has been vacant since last July. Layson addressed the commission thanking them for their consideration of him and giving him an opportunity to serve the community.  He brings to the new position some 30 years of construction knowledge and experience and recognizes what it is like to be on the “receiving” end of the building and zoning experience.  Layson said he plans to streamline the process making obtaining permits easier, quicker and more responsive.  Since last July, the county has been utilizing Charles Abbott Services.

The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts completed a 2019 sales ratio study comparing Dooly County home values and appraisals with actual 2019 county tax digest figures. Property is assessed and taxed at 40 percent of fair market value. Fair Market Value is an amount a buyer would pay for a property and a seller would accept. The study found the county’s ratio of 39.72 percent to accurately reflect the county’s assessments.

The River Valley Area Agency on Aging, advisory commission member, Beverly Harris will end her term on June 30. Any recommendations or inquiries regarding the vacancy may be forwarded to the county administrator office.

The meeting ended with the addition of an agenda item for potential litigation and the commission adjourned to executive session.

The Dooly County Board of Commission will meet at 9am, Thursday, July 2 at the Commission headquarters.