Georgia County Government - February 2008 - (Page 26)

NORTHEAST GEORGIA continued from page 25 communities may draw 1 million gallons per day (mgd), and over the long term, up to 3 mgd from that system. Habersham County also has a couple of lakes that are now filled with silt from development, and dredging is in progress, with the silt being marketed to concrete companies. Butterworth says the county’s hope, which it has approached legislators about, is to build a reservoir to retain more of the rainfall that does come into the county through dredging. A water treatment plant in the city of Baldwin currently has the primary water treatment facility in the county. Butterworth says Habersham officials are currently weighing options on whether to expand that plant or build a new one around Tallulah Falls. “We don’t want to be water retailers,” he adds. “But we agree with the Georgia EPD that our seven cities don’t need ‘seven straws’ in the Chattahoochee…one is better.” In the event the county does approach the dire situation of running out of surface water, the county’s plan is for the public works director to coordinate a contingency plan to be sure adequate water pressure exists. In Rabun County, water and wastewater infrastructure is being evaluated in terms of what officials might be able to do with the $1 million in water infrastructure from the Fruit of the Loom plant closing. The county is trying to acquire the treatment and permitting infrastructure of the former plant now. If the county does secure the infrastructure, it could use the plant’s abandoned infrastructure to provide water for growth. Also, in Rabun, officials acknowledge the need for new procedures concerning local governments that want to put in place their own water-supply reservoirs. Referring to neighboring Lumpkin County, Rabun County Commissioner Law points out that it “took that jurisdiction 15 years to develop its reservoir – due to red tape – but Commissioner Steve Gooch pushed it.” The Region’s Future The counties in the Georgia Mountains region as a whole anticipate more waves of senior citizens moving in. Further boosting Stephens County’s attraction to this booming age group, Rep. Jeanette Jamieson put in place an additional property tax exemption credit for seniors 65 and older. “Some seniors called us to make sure we were right about their owing zero property tax,” notes Phyllis Ayers. “It left a lot of people over 65 with no property tax bill.” The new exemption applies to assessed property value and has rendered many local senior citizens without a property tax bill. “When the news gets out, we think Stephens County will become a more popular retirement community,” Ayers asserts. Butterworth sees the market continuing to respond to a lot of seniors moving into Habersham County. “At one time we had 2,500 vacant lots ready to build on,” he said. “We have lots of spec housing ready for a range of income groups, from work force housing to retirement homes and on up. The county has permitted the market to expand and contract under the rules of our land-use plan and the Planning Commission.” The current slowdown in housing will continue to be felt as well, officials agree. However, says Butterworth, when the 26 341710_Shaw.indd 1GOVERNMENT GEORGIA COUNTY 8/20/07 8:47:36 PM http://www.shawhankins.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - February 2008

Georgia County Government - February 2008 Contents President's Message County Matters Regional Focus on the Georgia Mountains: Rabun, Habersham and Stephens Counties DNR Commissioner Noel Holcomb Solid Waste Management in Georgia: New Challenges Ahead Essential Elements of Negotiating Professional Service Firm Contracts The Walker County Courthouse at LaFayette Extension News: Partnerships are Key to Conservation Education Research Corner: Interns: An Asset to Every County NACo News: Counties and Climate Change FAQs Georgia Flag to Travel to All 159 Georgia Counties State Announces Regional Recycling Hub Grant Awards Abraham Joins ACCG Support Staff County Parade ACCG Launches e-Magazine Index of Advertisers

Georgia County Government - February 2008

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