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March 16, 2010

Whitfield County actions

Jamie Jones Dalton Daily Citizen

DALTON — Whitfield County Board of Commission member Harold Brooker initially asked that the freeport exemption rate be accelerated to make Whitfield County more economically appealing to existing and prospective businesses. The rate is currently at 20 percent. Brooker wants to move a 100 percent exemption in three years instead of five years.

On Monday, he asked for that vote to be tabled until October when the tax digest is available. That way, commissioners will have a better sense of how the freeport exemption will affect local coffers.

The exemption, passed by voters last year, eliminates the inventory tax on some products. It could cost the different taxing authorities several million dollars.

• The Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center is in need of repairs. Some are “dire,” while some are cosmetic, according to commissioner Randy Waskul, who represents commissioners on the trade center board. Waskul asked commissioners to consider funding half of the $122,186 in repairs. The Dalton City Council has already agreed to pay half of the cost. Multiple leaks in the banquet hall need to be repaired as soon as possible, Waskul said, adding that he realizes the county must be frugal with taxpayer money during these “tight economic times.” Commissioners are expected to vote on the repairs next month.

• Another special purpose local option sales tax project will soon be in the design phase. Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve a $69,500 contract with Norcross-based Moreland Altobelli Associates for design work on construction and improvements to Georgia Highway 2 and Crow Road near the new Coahulla Creek High School. There will be approximately 1,500 feet of improvements to Crow Road including a left hand turn lane for northbound traffic and a right hand turn lane for southbound traffic. There is also the possibility of realigning the south end of Crow Road where it joins Highway 2. Improvements to Highway 2 include two turn lanes and an acceleration lane.

• Earlier this month, commissioners directed parks and recreation director George Page to bring the mowing of county ball fields in house. On Monday, commissioners voted 4-0 to award $30,276 in bids to start that process. The county bought a 2011 F-150 pickup truck from Brooker Ford in Dalton for $14,290 and two zero-turn mowers from Dalton-based B&B Tractor for $15,986.

Commissioners also:

• Voted 4-0 to approve a $13,080 contract with Trane to service the heating and air conditioning system at the Whitfield County jail.

• Proclaimed this week “Lady Bruin Basketball Week” to honor the Northwest Whitfield High School girls basketball team’s season that wrapped up Friday with a loss in the state Class 4A championship game to Southwest Dekalb.

• Proclaimed March 15-19 “Census Week” in Whitfield County.

• Re-appointed Thomas Bartley to the Whitfield County Board of Health; Dan Combs to the Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority Board; and Pat McCoy to the Whitfield County Planning Commission. All votes were 4-0.

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