June 23, 2003

BOARD OF FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

The Board of Commissioners met in a regular session with Chairman John E. Taylor and Commissioners Fred E. Ferguson, Donald C. Hay, Donald R. Stottlemire and Donald E. Waymire present.   

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Taylor at 8:30.

Commissioner Waymire moved and Commissioner Ferguson seconded to go into an executive session at 8:30 for 30 minutes for personnel of non-elected with Board, Keith Clark, Doris King, Shari Perry and John Dowell present.  All voted “yes.”  Chairman Taylor opened the meeting at 8:55 and reported no action taken, no decisions made.

Commissioner Waymire moved and Commissioner Stottlemire seconded to deny any sexual harassment for claim filed on May 22, 2003.  All voted “yes.”

Board discussed the transient guest tax rate.  Board discussed raising the tax rate from 4% to 5% or 6%.

Commissioner Hay moved and Commissioner Stottlemire seconded to increase the transient guest tax rate to 5%, leave the property on the tax roll and eliminate the $14,250 contribution that the county gives to tourism.  Commissioner Stottlemire said we didn’t have anything to do with the property being on the tax roll.  Commissioner Waymire said he felt that it should be increased to 6% and the City and the County not contribute anything.  Commissioners Hay and Stottlemire voted “yes.”  Chairman Taylor and Commissioner Ferguson and Waymire voted “no.”

Commissioner Waymire moved and Commissioner Hay seconded to increase the transient guest tax rate to 6% and eliminate the $14,250 the County contributes to tourism.  All voted “yes.”

Board asked John Dowell to draft a resolution to change transient guest tax rate.

Commissioner Stottlemire moved and Commissioner Ferguson seconded to approve the minutes for June 18, 2003.  All voted “yes.”

Chairman Taylor opened a public hearing at 10:00 relating to a proposal to vacate a portion of Osborne Lane between Eisenhower Terrace and Louisiana Terrace.

Johnny Ferguson, John Sink, Bic Cowdin and Ray DeJulio were present.

Discussed were that easements would need to be given so that property is not land locked.

Chairman Taylor closed the public hearing at 10:15.

Commissioner Stottlemire moved and Commissioner Hay seconded to table a decision until easements are in place for Osborne Lane between Eisenhower Terrace and Louisiana Terrace.  All voted “yes.”

Commissioner Stottlemire moved and Commissioner Waymire seconded to approve a contract between Franklin County and Harbour Construction, Inc. for chip seal work for 2003.  All voted “yes.”

Craig Davis in and discussed a proposal from TF Comm, Inc. for additional radio repeaters with the additional repeaters we would have 90 to 95% radio coverage.  Craig said the estimated cost would be around $105,000.  Craig said there would still be some problems with mobile radio units and that he is still looking into grants for funding.

Brad Gilges discussed that the State is increasing the fee for DMV checks from $5.00 to $6.00.  Currently the county charges $6.00 and $1.00 goes into the County General Fund.  Brad recommends charging $10.00 and $4.00 going to the County General Fund.

Commissioner Ferguson moved and Commissioner Stottlemire seconded to increase the fee for DMV checks to $10.00 with $6.00 going to the State and $4.00 going to the County General Fund, effective July 1, 2003.  All voted “yes.”

Ray DeJulio discussed that the county had mowed behind the animal shelter.  Ray said that some work needs to be done in order to continue to mow the property, it has been washing out and needs some dirt work done.  Board agreed to fix it the same time the county does some dirt work on our property, since we will not be able to fund the shelter what they are asking for in tax money next year.
Darrell Wadkins in about purchasing a used lawn mower with 60 hours on it for a net cost of $4,000 after trade-in.

Commissioner Stottlemire moved and Commissioner Waymire seconded to purchase a 2002 JD GX335 lawn tractor with 67 hours at a net cost of $4,000.  All voted “yes.”

Shari Perry discussed reimbursement for meals with the Board.  Board agreed that county policy is to submit original receipts and to send the reimbursement request back to the department head.

With no further discussion the meeting was adjourned at 11:40.




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