Oliver called for an August 13th hearing at which he plans to support his contention that the mandatory annexation of 67 properties under state law is unfair.
"I would like to have maps showing where the commercial properties are, and I would like to have maps showing where the registered voters are," Oliver said.
Commissioner Steve Gailey said a state supreme court battle could get costly with the recession eating away at county revenues. However, he agreed with Oliver and other commissioners that the city was 'cherry picking', selecting high value property for annexation.
The city plans to hold annexation hearings September 1st before the Planning and Appeals Board and City Council.
A CHALLENGE OF UNDERSTANDING
Commissioners supported Oliver's motion for mediation of a $13,OOO dollar fee charged by Georgia Mountains Regional Commission.
Oliver called it a 'challenge of understanding' between GMRC and the county at a time when the county needs to cut costs. Commissioner Bobby Banks called it unfair, referring to a possible lawsuit from GMRC forcing the county to pay.
The regional planning group contends it's entitled to the money under state law.
AVOID CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Hall County Commission Vice Chairman Ashley Bell told fellow commissioners that he wants to avoid any possible future conflict of interest when seeking bids to administer federal grants. Bell said he met with State Department of Community Affairs officials after expressing concern that Grants Manager Ryan Arnold was on the Home Development Resources, Incorporated board.
Commissioners finally chose HDRI to administer the $2.36 million Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant to restore foreclosed housing. They initially approved Habitat of Hall County as administrator and then removed Habitat in a called meeting in favor of HDRI. HDRI applied for the grant back in March before a request for proposals was required from bidders to administer that grant.
Hall County Commission Chairman Tom Oliver Thursday night vowed to fight Gainesville's annexation of commercial 'island' tracts all the way to State Supreme Court if necessary
http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/7/222015