Ricky Crosby Elected Commission Chairman

The first County Commission meeting of the new year began with disagreement as Vice-Chairman Ricky Crosby was elected the new chairman on a 3-2 vote.
Commissioner James Benjamin motioned to appoint Crosby chairman, new Commissioner Vann Wooten seconded and Crosby called for the vote without allowing any discussion of the motion. Commissioners Hank Hobbs and Brad Crews opposed the motion.
Hobbs was then appointed vice-chairman unanimously, but again with no discussion.
All other motions during the meeting were called to vote without Crosby calling for any discussion.
The meeting actually got off to a positive start as the commissioners recognized the Recreation Department’s eight and under football team that won the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association State Championship.
During public comments, Sheila Rucker addressed the commissioners concerning Crosby’s motion at last month’s meeting to appoint her to the Board of Tax Assessors and the motion failing to receive a second, presumably due to her missing Board of Tax Assessors meetings while serving previously on the board.
She said the meetings she missed were held during school hours and her duties as a high school math teacher conflicted with the meetings she did not attend.
Assessors Board member David DeSousa informed the Board that a joint meeting was scheduled with GMASS, Board of Assessors and Board of Commissioners Jan. 30 at 4 p.m. He asked the commission to increase the terms of board members to five years.
Joint Development Authority Director Andrea Taylor informed the commissioners that Phase IV of the Silicon Ranch solar power project would add an additional $47 million in improvements. Phase III was a $31 million investment. She said the same tax incentives plan used in Phase III would be applied to Phase IV.
The commission approved the tax incentive plan which will phase in on a graduated scale over a 17-year time period.
In other action, the commissioners ….
…. appointed Karen Rentz to the Board of Assessors on a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Crews opposing.
…. appointed Commissioner Wooten to serve on the Regional Commission Board.
…. approved an amended beer and wine license ordinance as prepared by County Attorney Carla Powell.
…. approved purchasing a corporate membership and promotional sponsorship of Twisted Pine Golf Course.
…. approved a property tax refund to Andrew Mincey’s Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
…. awarded Bloodworth Construction the contract to re-roof the Department of Family and Children Services building and the USDA building. Bloodworth’s bid — the low bid of three submitted — was $19,900 for the DFACS roof and $7,875 for the USDA roof.
…. were given by Commissioner Hobbs for their consideration a speaker request form used by the Camden County Board of Commissioners at a meeting he attended earlier in the week. Hobbs said the form resulted in the meetings going smoother and added structure to the public comments section.