H.B.87 to impact Hall County business

GAINESVILLE - For 3700 business license holders in Hall County, Hall County Commissioners learned Monday morning that where immigration verification is concerned, the convenience is gone.

That's what Business License Director Susan Rector told commissioners because beginning in January under Georgia's new House Bill 87 immigration law those business owners have to come in person to renew their license and verify identification and citizenship status.

Vice Chairman Scott Gibbs said Commissioners want some advice on how to deal with the impact.

"We want to see what the other 158 counties in the state are doing," Gibbs said. "We're on board with the verification but is this necessary every year and how are the other counties doing this."

Gibbs said commissioners may look at staggering the renewal dates to keep them all from coming due in a short window of time like the old vehicle tags used to do.

Commissioners complained that this was another 'unfunded mandate' from the state to the counties; Rector predicted an overwhelming effect on her office with only two workers to handle all the renewals. She also suggested a public information campaign to let the license holders know about the new requirements.

"I'm sure most of them have heard of House Bill 87 but they don't know that it's going to affect them directly," Rector said.

"This is a big deal," Commissioner Ashley Bell said. "I would like to see us contact the ACCG (Association of County Commissioners) and see what the other counties are doing with this."

ELECTION DAY REFERENDUM

Hall County Commissioners indicated they would prefer a referendum vote on Sunday Alcohol sales on Election Day in November 2012 instead of Presidential Primary Day next March 6th. Business License Director Susan Rector said county voters would decide on two Sunday alcohol sale issues on the sale referendum ballot.

"It would have to be two separate questions, for Sunday sales by consumption on the premises and Sunday sales by package," Rector said.

According to Rector Sunday sales in restaurants was narrowly defeated in 2006 in the county; commissioners said having the Sunday alcohol sales on the general election ballot would draw more voters and prevent the cost of a special referendum election.

CUTTING SOLID WASTE COST

Commissioners looked over their options after Public Works Director Ken Reardon told them that the county's solid waste system is $568,000 dollars in the red after several cost cuts. Vice Chairman Scott Gibbs said the Commission wants to try a new approach to requesting bids on waste disposal.

"Maybe we can break it up so smaller companies can participate rather than the five or six large ones that handle solid waste in the country," Gibbs said.

Cost cutting measures included cutting Saturday land fill hours, reducing hours at 12 compactor sites, closing the Allen Creek compactor and offering cities reduced tipping fees.