Georgia County Government-August 2008

MATTERS continued from page 9 to prioritize those limited projects that can be funded. At this point, we believe that in a very few years, the Georgia DOT will be one of the top agencies of its kind in the nation. The governor has also commissioned a major consulting study to take an in-depth look at transportation needs with an eye toward alternative transportation modes and innovative funding mechanisms that can be utilized to meet our state’s transportation needs. Reports state that the consultant is on a “short string,” with a report expected in the fall meaning that the next legislature can have a solid proposal for the General Assembly to consider. ACCG and the other members of the Get Georgia Moving Coalition (GGM) formed last year are ready to support the comprehensive transportation funding plan that we anticipate from the state’s leadership. Further, once passed, we believe that the state agencies involved in transportation have the capability to carry out the mission. From GDOT to the State Road and Tollway Authority to the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA), the team the DOT Board and governor have put in place is up to the challenge. In closing, for counties’ part, it is now apparent how the solution turned out to be much more complex than the mere addition of dollars would ameliorate. This often is the case in government, and we can consider ourselves fortunate to have government leadership that is accountable and determined to find real solutions. ■ 338780_TheJaeger.indd 1 8/22/07 9:01:17 AM Neighborhood power lines are built underground all the time. High-voltage lines are a different story. Opposition to a new transmission line can spark support for installing it underground. What most people underestimate about underground is its oversized price tag. A recent cost estimate for a 1.3-mile section of underground line in Oconee County, for instance, was $16 million. That would have been about $1,300 for every EMC customer in the county, but using overhead lines will keep residents from paying this cost. Underground construction raises key questions: Who pays? Who beneﬁts? Do you raise rates or raise taxes? Underground is sometimes a solution in crowded cities or in short spans, but $1 billion projects, like one in Connecticut, are not for Georgia. Help us keep electricity reliable and affordable. If you’re thinking underground, think it over. $1,000,000 per mile ,000 $10,000 le per mi The Power of Cooperation Building and maintaining high-voltage power lines and substations for Georgia’s electric cooperatives. 10 383573_Georgia.indd 1 GEORGIA COUNTY GOVERNMENT 5/20/08 7:50:37 AM http://www.jaegerco.com http://www.gatrans.com

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

Georgia County Government- August 2008 Contents President’s Message County Matters Georgia’s Transportation Issues More Critical to Counties than Ever Expanding Rural Airports: Partnering for Economic Development in Upson County Meet DOT Commissioner Gena Abraham Bridge Infrastructure and Risk Counties and the Law: Georgia’s Fair Employment Practices Act Georgia’s Grand Old Courthouses: Coffee County Extension News: Infrastructure Investments Save County Funds Research Corner: Getting the Most Out of Your Research Discover the New Georgia Encyclopedia NACo News Staff News County Parade Index of Advertisers

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