After announcing his resignation in June as chairman of the Long County Commission, Bobby Walker still holds the position for at least one more month.
At the commission’s July meeting, Commissioner Wallace Shaw made a motion that the commission wait until August to decide who will replace Walker. Shaw said the commission needs legal advice before making the decision. County attorney Jay Swindell was not at the meeting and, according to Shaw, his input is needed. Commissioner Andy Fuller seconded Shaw’s motion and all voted in favor.
Walker said he resigned after questions surfaced about his role in having members of his family employed by the county. Since his wife and a son work for the county, Walker said he thinks his resignation is in the community’s best interest.
During their most recent meeting, commissioners discussed taxes that had not been paid by developers in the county. According to Walker, the county collected around 85 percent of the current taxes owed, but he thinks officials need to focus on collecting the unpaid balance.
Walker said some developers who owe county taxes are three years behind.
“I don’t think that they should be able to continue developing if they are behind on their taxes,” Walker said. “Every constitutional officer in this town needs to help us collect that money that we budgeted.”
He suggested “stop work orders” be issued to developers who are behind on their taxes. They should not be allowed to resume their projects until their back taxes are paid, the commissioner said.
After a discussion, Walker made the motion, which was seconded by David Richardson. Everyone voted in favor of the measure.
In other business:
• Commissioners heard a request from developer Ryker Carter, who wants the county to assume responsibility for a road in the Eaglewood subdivision. Carter said the development was grandfathered in under the previous commission and they had agreed to take over the road with some minor modifications. However, Cliff DeLoach, who is the only current commissioner from the previous board, said the roads were not large enough for school buses to turn around on. He said the previous commission never agreed to maintain the road until after the subdivision was completely finished. After a discussion, commissioners decided Ryker should talk privately with Shaw to see if the matter could be resolved.
• Commissioners heard a second presentation from MACE Commander Capt. Chris Reid on the team’s budget. The county still needs to approve its portion of MACE funding for the coming year. Reid said he reduced operational costs by 11 percent and hopes to cut another 10 percent next year. However, Reid said even with the 11 percent decrease this year, the team’s total budget increased by .4 percent, because of issues beyond his control.
Commissioners said a few county residents had expressed concern about the county supporting the team. Reid said he would bring the funding issue up at the next MACE board meeting. Reid also said there’s a spot on MACE’s board for a Long County resident. He encouraged the commission to either designate a commissioner for the position or appoint someone.
• DeLoach also brought to the floor the issue of the county hiring a part-time county administrator.
At the commission’s July meeting, Commissioner Wallace Shaw made a motion that the commission wait until August to decide who will replace Walker. Shaw said the commission needs legal advice before making the decision. County attorney Jay Swindell was not at the meeting and, according to Shaw, his input is needed. Commissioner Andy Fuller seconded Shaw’s motion and all voted in favor.
Walker said he resigned after questions surfaced about his role in having members of his family employed by the county. Since his wife and a son work for the county, Walker said he thinks his resignation is in the community’s best interest.
During their most recent meeting, commissioners discussed taxes that had not been paid by developers in the county. According to Walker, the county collected around 85 percent of the current taxes owed, but he thinks officials need to focus on collecting the unpaid balance.
Walker said some developers who owe county taxes are three years behind.
“I don’t think that they should be able to continue developing if they are behind on their taxes,” Walker said. “Every constitutional officer in this town needs to help us collect that money that we budgeted.”
He suggested “stop work orders” be issued to developers who are behind on their taxes. They should not be allowed to resume their projects until their back taxes are paid, the commissioner said.
After a discussion, Walker made the motion, which was seconded by David Richardson. Everyone voted in favor of the measure.
In other business:
• Commissioners heard a request from developer Ryker Carter, who wants the county to assume responsibility for a road in the Eaglewood subdivision. Carter said the development was grandfathered in under the previous commission and they had agreed to take over the road with some minor modifications. However, Cliff DeLoach, who is the only current commissioner from the previous board, said the roads were not large enough for school buses to turn around on. He said the previous commission never agreed to maintain the road until after the subdivision was completely finished. After a discussion, commissioners decided Ryker should talk privately with Shaw to see if the matter could be resolved.
• Commissioners heard a second presentation from MACE Commander Capt. Chris Reid on the team’s budget. The county still needs to approve its portion of MACE funding for the coming year. Reid said he reduced operational costs by 11 percent and hopes to cut another 10 percent next year. However, Reid said even with the 11 percent decrease this year, the team’s total budget increased by .4 percent, because of issues beyond his control.
Commissioners said a few county residents had expressed concern about the county supporting the team. Reid said he would bring the funding issue up at the next MACE board meeting. Reid also said there’s a spot on MACE’s board for a Long County resident. He encouraged the commission to either designate a commissioner for the position or appoint someone.
• DeLoach also brought to the floor the issue of the county hiring a part-time county administrator.
