Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Actions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pickens County commissioners approve retirement changes, audit contract, DOT MOU and other routine items
Summary
At the November meeting the board approved several routine but consequential items: amendments to the defined-benefit plan, increased employer match for defined-contribution plans, authorization of a $140,000 county share for a GDOT waterline relocation, selection of Rushton for the 2024 audit, approval of a $46,000 escrow transfer for the Development Authority, a rezoning, and a reappointment.
The Pickens County Board of Commissioners used its November meeting to approve a series of formal actions, including retirement-plan changes, procurement of audit services, a county cost-share for a Georgia Department of Transportation project, and several routine administrative approvals.
Retirement plans: The board approved a resolution to amend the defined-benefit retirement plan administered through ACCT Retirement Services for employees hired before 2016, changing the eligibility formula from a "rule of 80" to a "rule of 70" and lowering the minimum retirement age from 55 to 52. Separately the board approved increasing the county employer match on defined-contribution plans (457 and 401) from 2.5% up to 7.5% when employees contribute up to 7.5%.
MOU with Georgia DOT: Commissioners authorized the chairman to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Georgia Department of Transportation related to a waterline relocation for a bridge-replacement project on Highway 136. Chair Chris said the county's share of the relocation is $140,000, payable in two $70,000 installments when the project proceeds.
Selection of auditor: After a staff presentation, the board selected Rushton to conduct the county's 2024 audit. Staff recommended Rushton despite a lower nominal bid from CKH, citing Rushton's Georgia county-audit experience, partner/manager time on the engagement and demonstrated local knowledge. Bill, the staff presenter, summarized the recommendation: "Partner time is very important in a situation like this," and explained that Rushton offers greater partner and manager involvement and more Georgia-specific auditing experience.
Other actions: The board approved allowing the Pickens County Development Authority to close a longstanding escrow account and transfer approximately $46,000 into its primary development account; approved the minutes of the October regular meeting (with a spelling correction to Ms. Davis's name) and the November work session minutes; reappointed Ryan Peters to the Pickens–Gilmer joint development authority through Dec. 31, 2027; and approved a rezoning request (rezone number 190813, Parcel 068113003) filed by Cindy Betty to change 1.53 acres from agricultural to rural residential so the lot with an existing home can be sold.
Votes and procedure: Most approvals were taken by voice vote with commissioners responding "Aye" and no opposition recorded on the record. Where specifics (individual vote tallies) were not read into the record, the meeting minutes record the board's voice approvals.
Next steps: Staff will process paperwork for the audit engagement and for the GDOT MOU when the project reaches the letting phase; the budget will return to the board for further review at the December work session.
