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CHECKING OUT SANTA
Andrew Whitfield gave Santa
a close inspection when he made his appearance at the Christmas
celebration Sunday night in Homer. The historic courthouse was
filled with excitement when Santa came in following the Christmas
caroling. He visited with children and refreshments were offered.
See page 10A for more photos. Photo by Angela Gary
Banks officials say
county
ready for Y2K
BY SHERRY LEWIS
When the clock strikes midnight on
Dec. 31, Banks Countians won't need to worry about the loss of
water or gas services or about getting through to a 911 operator,
at least according to county officials. Banks County officials
say the county is Y2K compliant.
"There have been many questions in the national media concerning
Y2K," board of commissioners chairman James Dumas said.
"We do not anticipate any problems but we will be prepared."
One of the most important moves by the county was to upgrade
the computer systems which have been "vendor certified"
to be Y2K compliant, according to Dumas.
The 911 computers were changed out not only for Y2K compatibility
but to meet state regulations for cellular phones. The center
now has equipment to track cell phone calls.
The sheriff's office has also upgraded the Georgia Crime Information
Center (GCIC) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
to track criminal histories. Also, the emergency medical services
has upgraded its defibrillators for compliance, Dumas said.
The computers have also been upgraded to meet the taxing and
financial management needs. The court services computers have
been upgraded as well, Dumas continued.
Banks County has also purchased a generator with a fuel capacity
to run for two weeks at the water treatment plant.
"There will be no disruption of water services," said
Dumas.
The county has also made arrangements with a fuel supply company
so there will be no disruption in propane or gasoline, Dumas
continued.
BOE millage rate up,
BOC rate down
BY SHERRY LEWIS
Banks County taxpayers will pay a
millage rate of 19.70 this year, up almost two mills over last
year.
The Banks County Board of Education increased its millage rate
from 10.4 to 12.4, while the board of commissioners lowered its
millage rate from 7.25 to 7. Citizens must also pay .05 mills
for county hospital bonds and .25 mills for Georgia state tax.
In a BOE meeting Wednesday, acting superintendent Deborah White
cited construction costs at the new high school and additional
staff costs as the reasons for the increase.
"We are operating on an extremely tight budget," said
White.
White said the BOE needs $929,465 to cover construction costs
at the new high school. That amount does not include lights or
a sound system for the auditorium, she explained.
The BOE also needs $251,032 to cover new staff salaries and benefits
due to increased student enrollment, she continued.
With the two-mill increase, there will still be a shortfall of
$48,970, which could be covered by mid-term adjustments and/or
an increased percentage of tax collection, White continued.
The BOE budget totals $13.7 million.
BOC SETS MILLAGE
While the BOC dropped its millage rate from 7.25 to 7, the actual
tax income by the county will be increasing by almost 12 percent.
The tax digest, the net value of all taxable property in the
county, grew by 16 percent over last year, topping $362.2 million.
The BOC expects to take in an additional $268,400 despite the
lower millage rate.
The BOC budget totals $6.3 million. Only $2.5 million of that
is funded through ad valorem tax, according to BOC chairman James
Dumas.
BOC ups 911 starting
pay
BY SHERRY LEWIS
The starting salary for new employees at the Banks County 911
center has been increased.
The salary was increased to $8 an hour from $7 an hour. 911 director
Lisa McClure told the Banks County Board of Commissioners about
her dilemma to keep employees once they are trained.
"We are a training center," she said. "They can
go somewhere else and make $11 an hour. You can't hire at $7
when some fast food restaurants are hiring at $7."
The BOC agreed to the increase, but the action didn't come without
some stipulations. The new hires must sign an 18-month contract
and be prepared to pay for their training if they leave before
that contract has ended.
McClure also asked the BOC for more money to give her current
employees a raise.
"The faithful people need to be rewarded," said McClure.
BOC members Pat Westmoreland and Ernest Rogers told McClure that
they realize the need but asked her to hold off on other increases
until after the first of the year.
Westmoreland said that salaries of other county employees would
be addressed in the next budget year.
"I think that is something that we're gonna have to address,
not just here but in other areas," Westmoreland said. "This
is just the beginning."
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