Connell to help find a permanent administrator

GAINESVILLE - Interim Hall County Administrator Jock Connell said Thursday he would conduct a search for qualified candidates to fill his post permanently since he has decided he will not seek the job himself.

Commissioners approved Chairman Tom Oliver's motion to permit Connell to conduct the search and if necessary to use the University of Georgia's Carl Vincent Institute of Government as a search consultant.

"My intent would be to use contacts that I have throughout the state and people that I've run across in my career that very well could do this job," Connell said.

Connell said he would advise commissioners if he decides to use the Institute; Commissioners included Billy Powell's motion not to pay the Institute its $18,500 fee unless it provides a suitable job candidate who his hired. Commissioner Ashley Bell said the Institute's choices should be limited to Georgia candidates.

BELL SAYS PLAN FOR SUNDAY SALES REFERENDUM

Bell said Thursday morning it's time to plan for a possible referendum on Sunday alcohol sales.

With many area cities making plans to put the issue on the general election ballot in November, he said its time the county gave it some thought and he asked County Attorney Bill Blalock and Business License Director Susan Rector for advice.

"I wanted to get from you some kind of time frame of which the county could issue a referendum to approve or not approve Sunday sales," Bell said.

Bell said commissioners need to look at election cost if they decide to hold a referendum and he wants to give the public a chance to comment at an upcoming work session.

A new state law permits cities and counties to hold referendums to allow voters to decide if they want Sunday alcohol sales in their communities.

IMPACT FEE CHANGE

Chairman Oliver said while the Commission won't suspend impact fees a change in the county's ordinance would hopefully help contractors struggling with the recession. Home builders asked for a moratorium on the fees used to support public facilities; Oliver said they can delay when they pay the fees.

"We changed it so your impact fees are paid when you get your permit to live in your house," Oliver said.

Before the ordinance change contractors had to pay impact fees when they got a building permit.

"Now their out of pocket expenses wouldn't be up front, it would be when they close the house or sell the house," Oliver added. "You're still going to pay the money but it could be passed to the homeowner or who ever's building the house."

Oliver said the change would possibly promote commercial building development.