Editor's note: This article has been revised to reflect a correction, which will appear in Sunday's print edition. The Liberty County Board of Commissioners received the fiscal-year 2016 budget for the Liberty County Convention and Visitors Bureau earlier this month. An article on page 10A Wednesday incorrectly stated that the commissioners approved the budget, but the CVB's board approves its own spending plan. The commissioners simply received a copy of the budget.
The Liberty County Board of Commissioners approved the fiscal-year 2016 budget for the Convention and Visitors Bureau following a presentation by CEO Leah Poole.
Poole told the board that hotel/motel tax revenue for Flemington, Hinesville and Liberty County is expected to be $238,500. Her balanced budget included expenses for business registration, facilities and equipment, marketing, operation, payroll, professional fees and training.
Before starting the April 7 meeting, commissioners gathered with a special guest, elementary-school student Mia Campbell, for a proclamation signing by board Chairman Donald Lovette, who declared April as County Government Month.
The first agenda item was a monthly report by the Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission that consisted of two information items and two action items. Commission Director Jeff Ricketson submitted a request for approval of a plat revision to the Village of Limerick, phases 7 and 8.
Although there were some questions by commissioners about whether existing roads in the subdivision can endure continued development, they approved the LCPC’s recommendation with a promise by county engineer Trent Long to watch the roads for wear from construction-truck traffic.
With information provided by Ricketson, the board asked the LCPC to continue to work with the developer at the Colonies at Habersham, which has exceeded its two-year obligation to complete sidewalks within the subdivision.
“Of the 46 lots in that first phase, only 13 houses have been built, but they have only put in the sidewalks at the completed homes,” Ricketson said. “That’s typical, but the ordinance requires that after two years, whether the houses are built or not, the sidewalks (throughout the subdivision) must be built.”
Ricketson also presented information about the Liberty Regional Water Resource Council. Planner Melissa Jones presented an overview of changes agreed to by the Sunbury/Islands Subarea for its Land Use Preliminary Map.
The commissioners approved a proposal by Long to award a building contract to Premier Construction Systems for the purchase and erection of a prefabricated metal structure as part of a batting-cage building. The total cost for that contract is $60,100. Long noted, however, that as much as $14,000 could be added to the cost for a concrete foundation.
In other business, commissioners appointed David Floyd as director of the summer food program, and they approved modifications to the wrecker service ordinance. The changes allows wrecker-service companies to share storage facilities and require companies on the list to have one heavy-duty and two light-duty wreckers.
They heard an update on juvenile court from Judge Linnie Darden III, who talked about children in need of services. He said the state provides a framework that represents a new approach in dealing with children who have committed crimes. The intent is to allow families of these children to receive services that lead to a resolution without court involvement.
A final information item heard by the board concerned House Bill 170. The bill is supposed to provide additional funding for transportation improvement. Part of the bill includes a $5-per-night fee on hotels and motels. The Savannah Tourism Leadership Council is opposing this fee, which the council believes will harm tourism in Coastal Georgia.