Ware County commissioners approved a couple of agenda items, vetoed another and approved appointments to the Ware County Board of Zoning Appeals during a called meeting inside the County Administration Building.
Present were Chairman Elmer Thrift, Commissioners Leonard Burse, Barry Cox and Timothy Lucas. Not present was Commissioner Jon Tindall, who called in. Also present was County Manager James Shubert, County Clerk Melinda Brooks and Assistant County Attorney Jennifer Herzog.
Commissioners approved an Indigent Services contract with Public Defender’s office and approved a purchase request to be used as a storage building for EMA during the July 28 meeting.
After several years of inactivity, the board appointed seven members to the Ware County Board of Zoning Appeals. They also appointed a representative to the Seven Rivers RC&D Council.
The Board failed to approve a request from Michael Carrin, Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor, to purchase an asset management system (AMS) which would allow the department to keep up with preventative maintenance for all assets for every department.
Chairman Thrift addressed the commission and those in attendance at the end of meeting of concerns with his connection to Thrift Brothers.
“I have some people that seem to be worried about me with Thrift Brothers,” said the chairman. “They’re my two sons, but I don’t have any connection with that business anymore. I’ve never had anything to do with it. I owned Elmer Thrift Construction Company, LLC for about 40 years.
Beverly York, Senior Accounting Supervisor, and Michael Carrin, Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor, talk to commissioners about getting an asset management system. Photo By DANNY BARTLETT
“Anybody who wants to protest can get the information and find out for their own ... it’s open record. I’m not mad with anybody or anything, but if they don’t understand it, then maybe they need to look into it and stop these accusations. And, I’d like for the public to know that.”
• The Board appointed Commissioner Cox to replace former Commissioner Steve Barnard, Sr., as the representative on the Seven Rivers RC&D Council. Cox will be expected to attend tri-annual meetings at the Alma UGA Extension Office.
Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month of April, August, and November at 10:30 a.m.
• Appointed to Ware County Board of Zoning Appeals were Post 1 - Amelia Teston, Post 2 - Audra Padgett, Post 3 Jeff Jones, Post 4 - Stephen Gilbert, Post 5 - Kathryn Taylor, Post 6 - Kristy King and Post 7 - Pam Taylor.
All have agreed to serve on the board. Posts 1 and 2 will expire 12/31/2025, Posts 3, 4 and 5 will expire 12/31/2027, Posts 6 and 7 will expire 12/31/2026.
• Commissioners approved entering Georgia Public Defender Council for Indigent Defense for the second half of their budget year.
Shubert explained the Public Defender’s budget works on a calendar year, while the County’s budget runs from July 1-June 30, so the resolution was needed to complete their budget year.
• Commissioners voted 3-2 denying the purchase request of Preventative Maintenance System for vehicle maintenance.
An asset management system (AMS) is a comprehensive approach and set of tools used to track, monitor, manage and optimize assets. The primary purpose of an AMS is to gain comprehensive visibility and control over assets, facilitating efficient planning, utilization, maintenance and disposal.
The cost of the software for the first year is $42,194, which includes a onetime implementation fee of $20,000. The annual subscription fee is $22,194.
The cost would have been split between the Ware County IT SPLOST budget and the Vehicle Maintenance budget.
Commissioners Burse and Cox said they would like more time to look over the proposal. Chairman Thrift said he did not like it. Tindall said he could see this type of program in the future to be mandated.
During the roll call voting by the chairman, Burse and Tindall voted in the affirmative. Thrift, Luca, and Cox voted in the negative.
• EMA Director Jonathan Daniell’s request to purchase a 60 foot x 100 foot metal building to store equipment for Ware County EMA was approved.
Bids were received from Two Way Metal Structures for $150,263.95 (includes concrete), Bluestone Garages for $165,140.70 (includes concrete) and Alans Factory Outlet for $97,230.35 (no concrete included).
The commission approved the low bid with a concrete slab from Two Way Metal Structures. The building will be located behind the EOC Building.
• Commissioners authorized the county attorney to complete title investigations on properties that will be purchased for the construction of the grade separation on Albany Avenue.
Also, the county manager was authorized to hire a certified appraiser to update and/or obtain new appraisals of such properties and to purchase such properties.
