County opting in for HB 581

By Ben Murray

The Clinch County Board of Commissioners has decided to not opt out of House Bill 581. 

At their meeting on Monday February 3, Tanya O’Berry was the lone commissioner to vote to opt out of the bill.  The bill will cap the annual increase in property values for tax purposes.  It also requires parcels to be appraised at least once every three years, allowing property values to be locked for three years. Both the City of Homerville and Clinch County Board of Education are opting out of the bill (see hearing dates in print edition). 

In other action from the meeting, held at the county commission office,  commissioners:

• Tabled approving an agreement for professional administration between Clinch County and the Southern Georgia Regional Commission, and an agreement for TTL for Phase I environmental assessment for the prison project, until they have more information about what is expected of the county.

• Approved an agreement with Southern Georgia Regional Commission for professional planning services to prepare a hazard mitigation plan.

• Approved contract with TF Rankin & Associates to provide technical assistance services to Clinch County.

• Approved contract with Debris Tech LLC to provide pre-event retainer for debris monitoring services for future declared disasters.

• Approved contract with DRC Emergency Services LLC to provide pre-event retainer for debris removal services for future declared disasters.

• Approved purchasing three new vehicles for the Sheriff’s  department.  The two Dodge trucks and a Charger, will replace vehicles that need replacing.

• Approved purchasing a compact track loader for the road department, for removing debris on county roads.

• Approved purchasing a metal building for road department equipment.

.• Approved participation in Rural Public Grant, which would bring public transportation between cities into Clinch County.

• Heard from Commission Chairman Henry Moylan about the need to move the election office out of the courthouse.  He asked the commissioners to be on the lookout for space to move the election office to.

• Tabled fixing building damage from Hurricane Helene until they decide what all needs to be fixed.

• Approved renovation project for the Senior Center.