Habersham County commissioners approve slate of routine motions, ordinances and agreements

The Habersham County Board of Commissioners on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, elected new board officers for 2025 and approved a series of ordinances, agreements and appointments during a regular meeting at the commission chambers.

Commissioners unanimously elected Commissioner Jimmy Tinch as chairman and Commissioner Bruce Harkness as vice chairman for 2025. The board then approved the second reading of amendments to Chapter 30, Article 2, (open burning) of the Habersham County Code of Ordinances, stating the changes bring the county ordinance into alignment with OCGA §12-6-90. The motion for second reading carried on voice vote.

The commission accepted first reading of a proposed new Article 3 to Chapter 30 that would regulate fire alarms, including administration, maintenance, excessive-alarm responses and penalties. The first reading motion passed and the item will return for a second and final reading at a subsequent meeting after staff and commissioners review details and the fee schedule.

The board approved an amendment recognizing a restructure of the state broadband award for the Windstream partnership and preapproved an amended public-private build agreement reflecting the revised award amount and fixed-award structure. Commissioners also approved a pre-approval to execute a public-private partnership build agreement amendment so Windstream can proceed with BEAD/other grant-related work under the new grant structure.

Separately, the commission approved a letter of intent/award to ABM for an investment-grade energy audit (guaranteed energy-savings performance contract process). Commissioners approved moving forward with the audit; staff said the audit fee would be in the $20,000–$30,000 range if the county opts not to proceed with subsequent renovation financing. If the county accepts renovations financed through guaranteed savings, the audit and project costs would be covered through that structure.

The board confirmed multiple appointments to county boards and commissions, including a Planning Commission appointment to fill an unexpired term and reappointments to regional and advisory boards (votes recorded on the consent/appointment motions). A proposal to study consolidation of city fire departments with the county’s fire department — a consultant-driven study estimated at $55,000 — was TABLED pending more information and further discussion at the commissioners’ winter retreat.

Other routine motions carried on voice votes during the meeting. The commission convened an executive session later in the meeting for personnel, property disposal and litigation under the cited O.C.G.A. provisions and then returned and adjourned.

Votes at a glance - Election of Chairman Jimmy Tinch: passed (voice vote; unanimous). Referenced during officer elections segment (see provenance). - Election of Vice Chairman Bruce Harkness: passed (voice vote; unanimous). See provenance. - Amendment to Chapter 30 Article 2 (open burning) — second reading and adoption: passed (voice vote). - Proposed new Article 3 (fire alarms) — accepted for first reading: passed (voice vote); second reading pending. - Windstream amended build agreement / PPP recognition: approved (voice vote) to reflect revised state grant structure and amount. - ABM guaranteed energy-savings investment-grade audit (letter of intent/LOI): approved (recorded as majority voice vote; board later confirmed vote as carried). - Fire-department consolidation study (consultant, $55,000): TABLED for more information (motion to table carried). - Multiple appointments and reappointments: approved (consent/appointment motions carried).

No fines, fee schedules or final contract terms were adopted at the meeting; several items were authorized to proceed to later steps requiring further documentation, fee-setting or a second reading.

Ending The board flagged multiple items for continued review at the commissioners’ winter retreat and requested additional detail or proposed fee schedules before final approvals on ordinances and contract terms.