By Jamie Gardner
At a called meeting of the Appling County Board of Commissioners, held Wednesday, March 21, representatives from Golder Associates updated board members on the status of the Dunn’s Lake Road dam. The representatives reported their findings after taking samples of the dam structure. Golder also submitted a proposal to the board to make the needed changes to the dam. The cost of the proposal, which includes new sloping of both side of the dam and a new spillway, is approximately $1,000,000.00, what some consider a hefty price for a private lake.
Road across dam will cost taxpayers
The Georgia Department of Transportation had informed the commission of potential flaws with the dam and requested that the county address the state’s concerns.
County Commissioner Charlie Leggett asked the representatives if the dam’s strength was the same it was when it was originally built. The representatives responded by stating that it was, but added that state requirements for dam structures have changed since the structure was first built. In addition a number of houses have been built downstream.
County manager Lee Lewis asked what the county could expect if no action was taken at all. Golder representatives responded by saying that the state could issue a notice of violation then get a court order to force the county to make the needed changes.
After some discussion the board agreed to proceed with the project. The commission did state that they would prefer to extend the project out over a period of time in order not to incur the total expense all at once. Lewis stated that SPLOST funds could potentially be used to fund the project. County Attorney Bob Highsmith stated that he would like to check the legality of using SPLOST funds.
Appling HealthCare update
Appling HealthCare CEO Dale Spell and the system’s CFO Ray Leadbetter gave an update to the commissioners on the financial condition of the hospital. Leadbetter reported that when he came to the community last September, the system was operating at an approximate $381,000.00 loss during that month. The CFO stated that the first course of action was to get expenses under control. He added that this unfortunately included some layoffs and salary/benefit adjustments.
Leadbetter continued by reporting that the system is now actually seeing some positive income from the changes. In February the system finished the month with $205,000.00 income. The CFO ended by reporting that the system is doing much better, but is digging its way out on accounts payable that he stated were extremely too much.
CEO Spell reported that the system owes four payments on the bonds and this will result in an additional $80,000.00 per month. Spell also stated that as a result of the system taking over the management of the Senior Care Unit, the system is projecting an approximate $700,000.00 income from the unit for the fiscal year.
Other business
The commissioners approved a request from the Appling County Recreation Department to do needed repairs to the infields of the Appling County Recreation Complex. The cost to repair the fields will be $22,250.00. Recreation Department Manager Wilton McCall stated in 2001 the grass infields were removed and over the years erosion has caused issues with the infields. The company that will be performing the work on the fields will actually put a crown on the infields that will allow water to drain off properly. McCall also reported that the company would do the repairs during the week of spring break for Appling County Schools.
Manager Lewis reported to the commission that some of the county fire department substations did not receive the new ISO rating. He stated that this issue has been addressed and should be resolved.
Lewis also reported that Lake Mayers is at full capacity and the boat ramp has been reopened to the public. He added that there are still some repairs that need to be made to the picnic area at the lake and the repairs are expected to be complete by Memorial Day.
The commission tabled discussion on the road department handbook and employee handbook. Manger Lewis stated that he would like for the entire board to be present for the discussion on the matter (Commissioner Sarah Boatright was not at the meeting).
The commission approved a request from Lewis to advertise a request for qualifications for a construction manager for upcoming SPLOST projects. Board members also discussed the potential of locating the new Concerted Services/Head Start adjacent to Ernest J. Parker Park.
The commission approved paying off the outstanding balance of the DFACS Building in the amount of $150,000.00.
Lewis reported that a health fair would be held for county employees on the first Thursday in April and he encouraged board members to also participate in the fair.
The board approved a request from Lewis to open a part-time position for the Buildings and Grounds Department.
The commission voted to enter into a closed-door session for real estate purposes. No action was reported.
County Commissioner Charlie Leggett asked the representatives if the dam’s strength was the same it was when it was originally built. The representatives responded by stating that it was, but added that state requirements for dam structures have changed since the structure was first built. In addition a number of houses have been built downstream.
County manager Lee Lewis asked what the county could expect if no action was taken at all. Golder representatives responded by saying that the state could issue a notice of violation then get a court order to force the county to make the needed changes.
After some discussion the board agreed to proceed with the project. The commission did state that they would prefer to extend the project out over a period of time in order not to incur the total expense all at once. Lewis stated that SPLOST funds could potentially be used to fund the project. County Attorney Bob Highsmith stated that he would like to check the legality of using SPLOST funds.
Appling HealthCare update
Appling HealthCare CEO Dale Spell and the system’s CFO Ray Leadbetter gave an update to the commissioners on the financial condition of the hospital. Leadbetter reported that when he came to the community last September, the system was operating at an approximate $381,000.00 loss during that month. The CFO stated that the first course of action was to get expenses under control. He added that this unfortunately included some layoffs and salary/benefit adjustments.
Leadbetter continued by reporting that the system is now actually seeing some positive income from the changes. In February the system finished the month with $205,000.00 income. The CFO ended by reporting that the system is doing much better, but is digging its way out on accounts payable that he stated were extremely too much.
CEO Spell reported that the system owes four payments on the bonds and this will result in an additional $80,000.00 per month. Spell also stated that as a result of the system taking over the management of the Senior Care Unit, the system is projecting an approximate $700,000.00 income from the unit for the fiscal year.
Other business
The commissioners approved a request from the Appling County Recreation Department to do needed repairs to the infields of the Appling County Recreation Complex. The cost to repair the fields will be $22,250.00. Recreation Department Manager Wilton McCall stated in 2001 the grass infields were removed and over the years erosion has caused issues with the infields. The company that will be performing the work on the fields will actually put a crown on the infields that will allow water to drain off properly. McCall also reported that the company would do the repairs during the week of spring break for Appling County Schools.
Manager Lewis reported to the commission that some of the county fire department substations did not receive the new ISO rating. He stated that this issue has been addressed and should be resolved.
Lewis also reported that Lake Mayers is at full capacity and the boat ramp has been reopened to the public. He added that there are still some repairs that need to be made to the picnic area at the lake and the repairs are expected to be complete by Memorial Day.
The commission tabled discussion on the road department handbook and employee handbook. Manger Lewis stated that he would like for the entire board to be present for the discussion on the matter (Commissioner Sarah Boatright was not at the meeting).
The commission approved a request from Lewis to advertise a request for qualifications for a construction manager for upcoming SPLOST projects. Board members also discussed the potential of locating the new Concerted Services/Head Start adjacent to Ernest J. Parker Park.
The commission approved paying off the outstanding balance of the DFACS Building in the amount of $150,000.00.
Lewis reported that a health fair would be held for county employees on the first Thursday in April and he encouraged board members to also participate in the fair.
The board approved a request from Lewis to open a part-time position for the Buildings and Grounds Department.
The commission voted to enter into a closed-door session for real estate purposes. No action was reported.
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#1
anon
on
03/29/12 at 05:03 AM
[Reply]
If the county has to pay for the repairs of the Dunn's Lake dam and a spillway, then the county should own the lake!!
#2
Trampis Carter
on
04/04/12 at 06:51 AM
[Reply]
It us not right to fix a dam for an individual land owner. I think the lake should be drained and the Creek should be restored!!
#3
Anonymous
on
04/04/12 at 11:46 AM
[Reply]
Im with you trampis! Or just stop all traffic from crossing the dam.i do not see the reason for the tax payers of appling co to be the ones to pay for repairs. When the taxes can be used for other things need in the county.
#4
anon
on
04/04/12 at 11:55 AM
[Reply]
Yeah but we would still have to pay for that also. Take it over. Id love to fish it!