Long County Commissioners approved during their March meeting to have the University of Georgia conduct a Growth Impact Assessment study.
The price for the study is $7,900, and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government will be the group from the college to complete the study.
The study is designed to evaluate the potential impact of growth in the county and how it will affect the fiscal health of the county government.
The study will address how expected growth at Fort Stewart will change the population of the county. It will also identify the extent to which new revenues from population and development will affect the county’s ability to provide services to all residence, and how any expected changes will affect the schools in the county.
In regards to this same issue, commissioners also temporarily extended the moratorium on any new subdivision proposals for up to 60 days, and scheduled a meeting with the Regional Development Center for March 29.
Commissioners also discussed the importance of completing the zoning guidelines for the county.
As a result of the growth and, in an effort to be consistent in approving proposed subdivisions for developers, commissioners instructed county code enforcement officer John Bradley to make sure enforcement of building permits was continued.
“It is important to get the zoning plan finished. Once this is established and completed, it will set guidelines which will make it better for the entire county,” Commissioner Mike McGowan said.
Commissioners also approved the budget request to continue funding the county MACE Drug Task Force. The operating costs were to remain the same as the previous year’s budget.
According to McGowan, the only possible increase in cost would occur if the state approved a merit system cost of living raise to employees’ hourly rate of pay.
Commissioners also approved the Fees Schedule for the Health Department, changed the current retirement plan to a new 457 Retirement Plan, appointed Doyce Phillips to the library board, and appointed Thomas “Red” Jackson as deputy coroner for the county.
The price for the study is $7,900, and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government will be the group from the college to complete the study.
The study is designed to evaluate the potential impact of growth in the county and how it will affect the fiscal health of the county government.
The study will address how expected growth at Fort Stewart will change the population of the county. It will also identify the extent to which new revenues from population and development will affect the county’s ability to provide services to all residence, and how any expected changes will affect the schools in the county.
In regards to this same issue, commissioners also temporarily extended the moratorium on any new subdivision proposals for up to 60 days, and scheduled a meeting with the Regional Development Center for March 29.
Commissioners also discussed the importance of completing the zoning guidelines for the county.
As a result of the growth and, in an effort to be consistent in approving proposed subdivisions for developers, commissioners instructed county code enforcement officer John Bradley to make sure enforcement of building permits was continued.
“It is important to get the zoning plan finished. Once this is established and completed, it will set guidelines which will make it better for the entire county,” Commissioner Mike McGowan said.
Commissioners also approved the budget request to continue funding the county MACE Drug Task Force. The operating costs were to remain the same as the previous year’s budget.
According to McGowan, the only possible increase in cost would occur if the state approved a merit system cost of living raise to employees’ hourly rate of pay.
Commissioners also approved the Fees Schedule for the Health Department, changed the current retirement plan to a new 457 Retirement Plan, appointed Doyce Phillips to the library board, and appointed Thomas “Red” Jackson as deputy coroner for the county.