MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE WHITFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025, AT 6:00 P.M. AT THE COURTHOUSE BOC MEETING ROOM LOCATED AT 205 N. SELVIDGE STREET REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING The Chairman called the meeting to order. Invocation conducted and Pledge of allegiance to the Flag. Roll call to determine quorum The following members were present: Others Present: Jevin Jensen, Chairman Robert Smalley, County Attorney Barry W. Robbins, Vice-Chair Robert Sivick, County Administrator Robby Staten, Member Department Heads John Thomas, Member Citizens Greg Jones, Member Press Motion was made by Commissioner Robbin and seconded by Commissioner Staten to amend the agenda to include the potential additional item, (1). Engineering - Equipment Surplus and to move item #25 to item #13. The amended agenda was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Jones, Thomas, Staten and Robbins in agreement. Approval of Minutes: Motion was made by Commissioner Robbins and seconded by Commissioner Jones to approve the February 10, 2025 Regular Business Meeting Minutes as presented. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Staten, Jones, Thomas, and Robbins in agreement. Chairman Jensen recognized Andrew Kite as the Employee of the Month for January 2025. Public Hearing: Chairman Jensen called for a Public Hearing to hear any comments or concerns the public may have regarding an alcohol license application for Reed Food Mart LLC d/b/a Reed Food Mart = 2500 Reed Road, Dalton GA There were no comments or concerns voiced regarding the application. Chairman Jensen then closed the public hearing. Chairman's Report: Chairman Jensen noted that the Fire Smoke Detector Program with Red Cross and' Whitfield County Emergency Management and CERT volunteers checked 69 residents in the Cohutta area and installed 56 new smoke alarms. Jensen thanked Chick-Fil-A Dalton in the mall for donating lunch to team. Jensen also noted that on Sat. March 8 the Animal Shelter held its first ever Free Adoption Day and 11 local adoptions took place. Report from Commissioners: Commissioners Jones, Staten and Thomas did not have any updates to report for this month. Commissioner Robbins noted that construction is ongoing at the Dalton Whitfield Library. Deputy County Administrator Shannon Whitfield introduced himself to the audience. January 2025 Financial Statement: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner Robbins to approve the January Financial Statement as presented by Chief Finance Officer Debbie Godfrey, Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) collections: January collections of $1,245,318 were 6.31% less than budgeted collections of $1,329,167. This was 12.95% less than December collections of $1,430,528. YTD collections of $1,245,318 were 1.33% more than PY collections of $1,228,953 for the same time frame. TAVT collections: January collections of $405,384 were 11.95% less than December collections of $460,413. YTD collections of $405,384 were 5.91% less than PY collections of $430,830 for the same time frame. YTD actual revenues of $4,191,848 were less than Page 1 of7 MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE WHITFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025, AT 6:00 P.M. AT THE COURTHOUSE BOC MEETING ROOM LOCATED AT 205 N. SELVIDGE STREET projected revenues of $4,434,548 by $242,700 or 5.47%. YTD actual expenditures of $5,070,260 were more than projected expenditures of $4,939,701 by $130,560 or up by 2.64%. Actual January 31 ending fund balance = $33,886,907. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Thomas, Jones, Staten and Robbins in agreement. Public Comment: Several citizens voiced their concerns about a proposed data center that will be located on Old Tilton Road. Alcohol Beverage License Application: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner Jones to approve the alcohol beverage application for Reed Food Mart, LLC d/bla Reed Food Mart located at 2500 Reed Road, Dalton, GA. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Robbins, Thomas, Staten and Jones in agreement. Whitfield County UZO Text Amendments: Motion was made by Commissioner Jones and seconded by Commissioner Thomas to approve the text amendments of the Whitfield County Unified Zoning Ordinance, otherwise known as Appendix A of the Code of Ordinances of Whitfield County, Georgia. by amending Section 4-6-35 for additional requirements for Commercial Poultry Farming. The purpose of this amendment is to Delete the first sentence in Section 4-6-35 and replace with the following: Commercial poultry farming shall be allowed in unincorporated Whitfield County within the General Agriculture (GA) district, provided that no structures for housing said animals shall be located closer than two hundred (200) feet from any property line, with the following additional requirements: (a) All new commercial poultry housing structures shall be constructed on a lot or parcel of a minimum size of ten (10) contiguous acres, (b) An additional five (5) acres is required to be added to such lot or parcel for every commercial poultry housing structure constructed after the first two (2) such permitted structures; (c) Such use shall be limited to no more than eight (8) individual houses upon any approved lot or parcel regardless of the number of acres; (d) Existing operable commercial poultry houses which are not in compliance with this article may be replaced in accordance with Article X Non-conforming Use/Structure) of the Unified Zoning Ordinance. The motion was approved 3-1, with Commissioners Thomas, Jones and Robbins in agreement. Commissioner Staten voted against the amendment. Public Works = Truck Storage & Office Building Repair: Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas and seconded by Commissioner Staten to approve up to $90,000 to rebuild the public works storage buildings. While repairing the storm damage at public works, buildings and grounds determined the truck storage was damaged more than originally thought, having lots of rot in the existing structures that need rebuilt. Building and grounds already had the roof replacement to be done to the office building with that it would be better to go ahead with bathroom expansion at this time. All work will be done in house. Public works is requesting $90,000.00 for all the repairs. $27,000.00 will come from the 2020 SPLOST. $63,000.00 will come from capital. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Staten, Thomas, Robbins and Jones in agreement. Public Works = Purchase of a RPM Application Trailer: Motion was made by Commissioner Robbins and seconded by Commissioner Jones to approve the purchase of a RPM applicator Trailer for $ 30,000. Public works is requesting approval for the purchase of a RPM applicator trailer from Trans Core, they are only distributor for the trailer and they have included a sole source letter with the quote. The trailer will come out or the 2020 SPLOST and will be part of our road marking fleet. With the Page 2 of7 MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE WHITFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025, AT 6:00 P.M. AT THE COURTHOUSE BOC MEETING ROOM LOCATED AT 205 N. SELVIDGE STREET trailer we will be able to strip and install RPM's on the roadways. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Staten, Thomas, Robbins and Jones in agreement. Public Works = Purchase of a HAMM HD120: Motion was made by Commissioner Robbins and seconded by Commissioner Staten to approve the purchase of a HAMM HG 120 break in roller for $201,700. 2024 SPLOST Funds will be used for this purchase. It will be replacing the Sakia break in roller they are currently using. The Sakia went down for repairs multiple times last year during paving season causing public works to have to rent units multiple times. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Staten, Thomas, Robbins and Jones in agreement. Public Works = Purchase of 30" Planer: Motion was made by Commissioner Robbins and seconded by Commissioner Staten to approve the purchase of a 30" Planer for $29,847.32. 2024 SPLOST Funds will be utilized for this purchase. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Staten, Thomas, Robbins and Jones in agreement. DA's Office = VOCA Grant: Motion as made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner Robbins to approve the State of Georgia Prosecuting Attorney's Council of Georgia Agreement for Funding Prosecution based on Victims of Crimes Act Program subgrant award. The District Attorney's Office is requesting approval of the MOA between the Prosecuting Attorney's Council and the County for the Federal Victims of Crime Act Assistance Grant (VOCA). The grant period is from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025 and the grant amount is $125,130. This has been an annual recurring grant for many years. The motion was approve 4-0, with Commissioners Staten, Robbins, Thomas and Jones in agreement. Ratify - First Responder PTSD Program: Motion was made by Commissioner Robbins and seconded by Commissioner Jones to ratify the First Responder PTSD Program. The governing authority of the County of Whitfield hereby authorizes the County to become a participant in the ACCG- IRMA Supplemental Medical, Accident, and Disability Fund known as the First Responder PTSD Program to provide coverage for those risks imposed upon the County by state law and for which the supplemental Medical, Accident, and Disability Fund has been established. The County's continuing participation in the ACCG-IRMA Fund(s) in which the County is currently enrolled. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Staten, Thomas, Jones and Robbins in agreement. Parks & Recreation = Miracle Field Playground Renovation: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner Robbins to authorize up to $125,000 for renovations to the Miracle Field Playground using 2020 SPLOST funds. The parks and recreation department requests to approve playground renovations for the Miracle Field. The funds will come from the 2020 SPLOST for no more than $125,000. Awarded design will be chosen by the Miracle League, and all bidders worked on the same budget of $125,000. Best design will be chosen. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Jones, Thomas, Staten and Robbins in agreement. Fire Department - Fire Apparatus Equipment Purchase: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner Robbins to approve the purchases for four (4) new apparatus to meet NFPA requirements. The Fire Department advertised for 83 miscellaneous items through open bids a total of four (4) companies replied and met the department's specifications. They were; Dinges 9 items for $33,167.60, MES 17 items for $64,593.56, NAFECO 4 items for $9,589.68 and Ten-8 Fire 44 items for $211,041.72. The total amount for the miscellaneous purchases is $318,392.56. This purchase is being funded by the 2024 SPLOST. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Robbins, Staten, Thomas and Jones in agreement. Page 3 of7 MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE WHITFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025, AT 6:00 P.M. AT THE COURTHOUSE BOC MEETING ROOM LOCATED AT 205 N. SELVIDGE STREET Ratify = Fire Department MOU w/GA Northwestern Technical College: Motion was made by Commission Jones and seconded by Commissioner Staten to ratify the memorandum of understanding with GNTC (Georgia Northwestern Technical College) to form a partnership to promote quality education and development for potential employees. WCFD desires to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC). This partnership will promote quality education and development for employees and potential employees to gain college credit. WCFD will provide certified instructors to teach approved related classes. In return, GNTC will provide the space and equipment for the instruction. This partnership will help prepare our employees for State Medical Certification and allow the employee to gain credit hours for an Associates Degree. The motion was approve 4-0, with Commissioners Thomas, Staten, Jones and Robbins in agreement. Information Technology = Total Email Protection: Motion was made by Commissioner Robbins and seconded by Commissioner Staten to approve the purchase of a Barracuda Total Email Protection from PCS (State Contact) for $182,718.84 paid over three years for the amount of $60,906.28 annually. Email is an essential part of daily County operations. We moved filtering, Archiving and Backup to the Barracuda Cloud several years ago. This three year agreement will increase our license count to cover all email users. Barracuda is the only company that offers a complete solution in one package. This agreement is paid annually for $60,906.28 for three years, which keeps the cost from increasing over that time period. Barracuda Total Email Protection provides data protection, gateway security, automated remediation and user-awareness training that provide the industry's best layered defense for Office 365 and Microsoft Exchange against email attacks, fraud, account takeover and brand hijacking. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Robbins, Staten, Thomas and Jones in agreement. County Administration Offices Building Options: Motion was made by Commissioner Jones and seconded by Commissioner Staten to retain experts to design and build a new County Administration building with four (4) floors on County owned property near the Courthouse. The Board of Commissioners has been reviewing options for last year for a permanent home for administrative staff. The staff is currently located in lease space at 201 S. Hamilton Street. Options include purchasing the current building, purchasing and renovating other buildings for sale in the downtown area, or building a new building on the campus of the County Courthouse. The motion was approved 4-1, with Commissioners Robbins, Staten, Jones and Thomas in agreement. Chairman Jensen voted against this item. Time Capsule Event: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner Jones to postpone this event. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Staten, Jones, Thomas and Robbins in agreement. City of Tunnel Hill Annexations: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner Thomas for no land use classification objection to tax parcel numbers 12-001-01-022 & 12-001-01-017. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Staten, Jones, Thomas and Robbins in agreement. City of Dalton Annexation = parcel 12-179-02-065: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner Thomas for no land use classification objection to tax parcel number 12- 179-02-065. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Staten, Jones, Thomas and Robbins in agreement. City of Varnell Annexation = parcel 11-263-01-054: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner Thomas for no land use classification objection to tax parcel number 11- 263-01-054. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Thomas, Staten, Jones and Robbins in agreement. Page 4 of7 MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE WHITFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025, AT 6:00 P.M. AT THE COURTHOUSE BOC MEETING ROOM LOCATED AT 205 N. SELVIDGE STREET Budget Amendment for Domestic Violence Court: Motion was made by Commissioner Robbins and seconded by Commissioner Jones to approve a budget amendment in the amount of $16,500 from Domestic Violence Court's fund balance. Superior Court and BOC administration are requesting BOC approval for a budget amendment to use $16,500 of the Domestic Violence Court's fund balance to cover some of the costs of surveillance payroll and related office expenses in 2025, which are not being covered by the grant. Surveillance is critical to the program's effective operation and helps protect the victims of domestic violence, many of whom are women and children. The grant fund currently has about $36,000 in reserve fund balance. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Staten, Jones, Robbins and Thomas in agreement. Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust Grant Contract: Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas and seconded by Commissioner Jones to approve the contract and resolution for the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust Grant for $110,130. This grant will fund a new counselor position at the Conasauga Community Addiction Recovery Center. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Jones, Robbins, Thomas and Staten in agreement. Community Wildfire Defense Grant Application: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner Jones to apply for a grant up to $250,000 for planning services to develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). EMA and County Administration are seeking approval to apply for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant which is a competitive federal grant administered by the US Forest Service. No match is required. Completion of a CWPP would allow future applications for grant funding to implement projects contained in the CWPP which potentially might include projects like the purchase of equipment for right of way vegetation maintenance. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Jones, Robbins, Staten and Thomas in agreement. Rezoning Recommendation: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner Jones to approve the recommendation of the planning commission approving the request of Valerie Silva to rezone from Low-Density Single Family Residential (R-2) to Rural Residential (R-5) a tract of land totaling 1.59 acres located on Lafayette Road, Rocky Face, Georgia. Parcel 27-196-13-000. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Jones, Staten, Thomas and Robbins in agreement. Rezoning Recommendation: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner Jones to approve the recommendation of the planning commission approving the request of Brittney Cronan to rezone from Rural Residential (R-5) to Suburban Agriculture (SA) a tract of land totaling 16.97 acres located at 400 Richardson Road NE, Dalton, Georgia. Parcel (09-143-05-000). The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Staten, Jones, Thomas and Robbins in agreement. Rezoning Recommendation: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner Jones to approve the recommendation of the planning commission approving the request of Soloman Douhne to rezone from Rural Residential (R-5) to General Commercial (C-2) a tract of land totaling 1.55 acres located at 1293 Dawnville Road, Dalton Georgia. Parcel (09- 073-08-000). The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Staten, Jones, Thomas and Robbins in agreement. Rezoning Recommendation: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner Jones to approve the recommendation of the planning commission approving the request of Rhonda Tucker and Emily Tanner to rezone from Rural Residential (R-5) to Suburban Agriculture (SA) a tract of land totaling 12.03 acres located on Donna Lynn Drive, Page 5 of7 MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE WHITFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025, AT 6:00 P.M. AT THE COURTHOUSE BOC MEETING ROOM LOCATED AT 205 N. SELVIDGE STREET Dalton, Georgia. Parcel (12-357-03-000). The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Staten, Jones, Thomas and Robbins in agreement. Rezoning Recommendation: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner Jones to approve the recommendation of the planning commission approving the request of Crow Road Holdings to rezone from Heavy Manufacturing (M-2) to Rural Residential (R-5) a tract of land totaling 9.88 acres located on Tunnel Hill Varnell Road, Tunnel Hill, Georgia. Parcel (11-261-06-000). The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Staten, Jones, Thomas and Robbins in agreement. Rezoning Recommendation: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner Jones to approve the recommendation of the planning commission approving the request of Macey Strong to rezone from General Agriculture (GA) to Rural Residential (R-5) a tract of land totaling 2.14 acres located at 174 Ben Putnam Road, Resaca, Georgia. Parcel (13-189-34-000). The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Staten, Jones, Thomas and Robbins in agreement. Rezoning Recommendation: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner Jones to approve the recommendation of the planning commission approving the request of Core Scientific to rezone from General Agriculture (GA) and Rural Residential (R-5) to Heavy Manufacturing (M-2) a tract of land totaling 173.3 acres located on Old Tilton Road, Dalton, Georgia. Parcels (13-060-01-000 and 13-060-04-000). Condition for consideration: Require access to Enterprise Drive to accommodate any heavy commercial traffic in order to reduce the potential impact on Old Tilton Road. The motion was approved 3-2, with Chairman Jensen and Commissioners Staten and Jones in agreement. Commissioners Thomas and Robbins voted against this item. Rezoning Recommendation: Motion was made by Commissioner Robbins and seconded by Commissioner Staten to approve the recommendation of the planning commission approving the request of Ivan Rangel to rezone from Rural Residential (R-5) to General Agriculture (GA) a tract of land totaling 5.01 acres located at 1191 Franklin Hill Road, Rocky Face, Georgia. Parcel (13- 035-38-000). The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Staten, Thomas, Jones and Robbins in agreement. Tunnel Hill Historic Site = Apartment Lease: Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas and seconded by Commissioner Jones to approve leasing the apartment at the Tunnel Hill Historic Site with the City of Tunnel Hill. The County owns the Clisby Austin House at the Tunnel Hill Historic Site and the lease will include a termination clause. The City of Tunnel Hill will house Jesse Bond in the building. The County would benefit by having someone residing on the site after hours, which would discourage undesirable and illegal activity. Additionally, having the officer maintain the lawn would eliminate the need for the County Public Works Department to do sO. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Staten, Thomas, Jones and Robbins in agreement. BOC Administration = Ratify Vehicle Purchase: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner Jones to ratify the purchase of an F-150 Truck from Ford of Dalton for the state contract price of $55,950.00. This vehicle will be for the new Deputy County Administrator to be used in day to day operations. The motion was approved 4-0, Commissioners Staten, Jones, Thomas and Robbins in agreement. Support of Georgia Senate Bill 235: Motion was made by Commissioner Jones and seconded by Commissioner Staten to support SB-235 legislation for the November ballot initiative. Our local Page 6 of7 MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE WHITFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025, AT 6:00 P.M. AT THE COURTHOUSE BOC MEETING ROOM LOCATED AT 205 N. SELVIDGE STREET delegation dropped Senate Bill 235 in the current legislation session in Atlanta. It calls for a November 2025 county-wide ballot initiative vote to approve a floating homestead exemption for schools. Property assessment increases would be capped similar to HB581 but without the opt-out option. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Robbins, Staten, Thomas and Jones in agreement. Engineering = Equipment Surplus: Motion was made by Commissioner Staten and seconded by Commissioner Jones to declare surplus and auction on Gov.Deals an HP Designjet HD Pro MFP Printer which has been owned and used by the Engineering Department. The initial cost of the plotter was 18,558.75. This plotter is not fully functional to the needs of the Engineering Department and is no longer needed as an updated plotter has been purchased and installed. The motion was approved 4-0, with Commissioners Robbins, Staten, Jones and Thomas in agreement. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mike Key asked about the procedures for rezoning applications. William Morgan asked for more regulations on chicken farms. Nick Conner addressed the Board about an issue he has on his property. ADJOURN Unanimous - 2 lanir JEVIN,ENSEN, CHAIRMAN WHITFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Blanc Cadine BLANCA CARDONA, COUNTY CLERK DATE/H2025 Page 7 of7