South Hall residents want sewer rate changes

GAINESVILLE - County Commissioners likely won't make a decision on new sewer rates affecting South Hall subdivision home owners until next year, but one of them said at the Commission's Monday work session he hopes they make some changes.

Ed Asbridge from Sterling on the Lake in Flowery Branch thinks he's paying too much even though the county is still charging a $42 a month flat rate.

Commissioners reviewed a rate study presented by Public Works Director Ken Reardon that indicated base rates could go down based on the amount of use.

Asbridge says users are paying a sewer rate for watering the lawns and washing their cars.

"We pay the water bill and we should not be charged for a sewer rate for something that does not go down the sewer," Asbridge said. "You can only use such much water for your sewer and once you get over that amount all that water is not going into the sewer, it's going into the storm drain."

Asbridge said at Sterling on the Lake, it winds up in the lake.

"We're already penalized because we have a three tiered water rate system and that is the incentive for us to save," Asbridge added. "We should not be charged again for water that's going to go down the storm drain."

NORTH HALL CONDEMNATION

Nothing is official yet but there may be a compromise that could avoid condemnation of just over an acre of land to expand Hall County's North Hall Park on Nopone Road.

Commission Chairman Tom Oliver called for an executive session upon learning that Commissioner Bobby Banks could not attend his proposed closed door session Thursday; Commissioner Steve Gailey said he might be out of town. Banks wanted it known ahead of time he opposed condemnation.

"I haven't voted for a condemnation yet and I'm certainly not going to start at the last meeting," Banks said. "I'm not in favor of condemning anybody's property for a park."

Oliver said he did not think there would be a condemnation but did not elaborate; Thursday would be the last official voting meeting for Gailey and Banks, who are leaving office.

COMP PLAN COST

Hall County Planning Director Randy Knighton told county commissioners that the consultant's fee for a new 20 year state required comprehensive plan won't be any cheaper than last time but may be cheaper than other counties paid. Knighton approached commissioners on joint city/county work on the detailed guide for growth and development, saying Cherokee County paid $450,000 for consultants.

"I think we can hit the mark of $275,000 to $300,000, that's an estimate, but I think we certainly can come close to hitting that mark," Knighton said.

Consultants charged $245,000 for Hall County's 2004 plan;Commissioner Billy Powell asked if more of the work could be done in house for less cost; Knighton said planning consultants provide objective expertise to support the county's small planning staff.

ADD TO THE WISH LIST

Commissioner Powell said he wants an item added to the Commission's wish list when they meet with local state legislators Thursday.
Powell said cities are collecting utility franchise revenue paid by county residents.

"County residents are paying it and the cities are collecting it so that many should go back into the county, not the cities," Powell said.

Powell added he wants legislators to change the state law that limits county franchise fee collection to cable providers only.

AN ADVANCE FAREWELL

Commissioner Gailey said an out of town business appointment may prevent him from attending his last official meeting Thursday. Gailey said he would try to attend but was not sure he could.

"I want to thank the citizens for allowing me to do this for eight years so I wish all of you the best of luck," Gailey said. "Maybe I'll get to repeat that Thursday, I don't know, I'll try to be back."

Gailey, from Clermont, served two terms as Third District Commissioner; he chose not to seek re-election for a third term; Scott Gibbs successfully ran for the post this year and takes office in January.