June 12, 2017
Board of
Commissioners
County Cuts Ribbon on District II Fire Station No. 15
Regular Meetings June 20, 2017 6:30 PM July 4, 2017 Cancelled July 18, 2017 6:30 PM
Meetings held at: Administration Building Community Room 140 Henry Parkway McDonough, GA 30253 Regular Commission meetings air daily on Henry TV Channel 180 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, at 9 a.m. & 7 p.m.
District II Commissioner Dee Clemmons, Chair June Wood and District IV Commissioner Blake Prince along with other Henry County officials took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, May 31 for Fire Station No. 15, located on N. Mt. Carmel Road in Hampton. The new fire station features sleeping quarters for twelve people, a kitchen, washer and dryer, a common living area, a fitness room, staff offices and battalion chief’s quarters. Clemmons shared her excitement about the opening of Fire Station 15. “I am so glad we are here today to get to the business of this county. This fire station is fully staffed, it’s fully equipped and it’s a beautiful station. I think it’s one of the most beautiful stations that we have in this county and we are honored today to cut the ribbon on it and to salute and dedicate this station to this county,” said Clemmons. Fire Station 15 was designed by Bill Howell with the Howell Group Inc. of Marietta, GA and construction was done by Headley Construction of Newnan, GA. This project was funded through SPLOST with a budget of $2,440,000.
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June 12, 2017 Published by Henry County Communications Department The Henry County Board of Commissioners
Editor Melissa Robinson
Graphic Designer Meredith Butler
Layout Designer Melissa Robinson Meredith Butler
Contributors Melissa Robinson Erika Richards Kevin Williams
Henry County Extension Hosts a Lunch and Learn Class The UGA Henry County Extension will hold a Lunch and Learn class on enhancing the safety of locally grown produce on Tuesday June 13, in McDonough. The session will address food safety concerns on the farm, in the market or at home and will be taught by Susan Howington and Frank Hancock of Henry County Extension. The Lunch and Learn class will begin at noon in room A of the Extension office at 97 Lake Dow Road in McDonough, GA 30252. For more information on this event, please call the Henry County Extension office at 770-288-8421.
Free Women’s Self Defense Class at Fairview Public Library The Henry County Police Department will be holding a free women’s self-defense class at the Fairview Public Library on Wednesday, June 14. Women 21 years and older can take part in this program that offers classroom instruction in risk awareness, risk reduction, crime prevention strategies, and defensive concepts as well as hands-on training in
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physical defense techniques. The Women’s Self Defense Program will be held from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. and will be taught by the Henry County Police Department. If interested, please call 678-432-5353 or visit Fairview Public Library to register.
Cotton Fields Golf Club Gets New Point of Sale System
Stuart Proctor with Golf Now shows employees how to use the new Point of Sale system at Cotton Fields Golf Club.
Now booking a tee time at Henry County’s Cotton Fields Golf Club is easier than ever, with a new Point of Sale system that allows golfers to schedule a time to hit the links anytime on Golf Now. Cotton Fields’ new scheduling system and partnership with Golf Now allows golfers to reserve tee times and gives access to a customer service center after hours and during peak call times. Golfers now have the convenience of booking tee times anytime and the system allows for true, dynamic pricing based on tee time inventory levels. According to golf pro and Cotton Fields consultant Chris Busbee, the partnership with Golf Now also gives Cotton Fields excellent exposure through commercials that run on the Golf Channel and other NBC Sports media outlets. Golf Now is a subsidiary of the well-known Golf Channel, reaching countless golf enthusiasts every day. Stuart Proctor, with Golf Now and the Golf Channel, has been training Cotton Fields’ employees on the new system and said that Golf Now is the largest
distributor of tee times in the U.S. “Golf Now runs 10,000 commercials a year on the various NBC Sports channels and we have a comprehensive email marketing distribution campaign. These are great benefits to partnering with Golf Now,” said Proctor. Busbee said since Henry County Government took over operations of Cotton Fields a little over a year ago, the improvements have been incredibly successful. “This is a beautiful course. We have grown the fairways and have fixed the irrigation issues,” said Busbee. “The greens are healthy and we are on a good greens program. We have really improved the aesthetics.” He said that business has been steady and the club is averaging up to 85 rounds per day during the week. Weekends are even busier. To book a tee time at Cotton Fields Golf Club, log on to cottonfieldsgolf.com, call 770-914-1447 or email cottonfields@co.henry.ga.us.
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June 12, 2017 Special Olympics Volleyball Team Wins Championships
The Georgia Gladiators take home a championship medal for winning the USA National Volleyball tournament. Pictured from left to right: Chip Ford, Kyle Mcever, Leah Santerra, Mark Hanson, Ben Dollar, Jim Wilson, Rashad Richardson, Brandon Hughley, Jacob Adkins, Michael White, Charles Stephens, Coach Terry Brooks, Chad Parker, and Coach Cheryl Williams.
The Henry County Parks and Recreation Special Olympics Unified Volleyball Team, the Georgia Gladiators, competed in the USA National Volleyball Championships on May 25, in Minneapolis, Minnesota and are now reigning as champions. The Unified Sports Team is one-of-a-kind which allows the typical individual to play on the court with a special needs individual and the Unified Volleyball players consisted of six partners and six athletes to complete the team. henrycounty-ga.org
Davina Ford, Henry County Parks and Recreation Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, said she is impressed by the outstanding effort the team has put in. “We are so proud of all the athletes and partners for all their hard work and dedication to this program and for making the team a success,� said Ford. The Georgia Gladiators took the gold medal and have brought yet another championship home to Georgia and most importantly to Henry County.
Classification and Compensation Analysis Proposal gets Approved The RFP for a Classification and Compensation Analysis was awarded to the Archer Company after Board approval at the regular Commission meeting held on June 6. The goals of this multi-phase analysis project is to appropriately align job descriptions with employee roles and responsibilities, and conduct a market comparison of similar jobs for recruitment, planning and retention purposes. Henry County Human Resources Director, Doris Patterson, said that it has been more than ten years since an analysis like this has been completed for county employees.
“It is recommended that every three years you have a review of a classification compensation structure, and we have been long overdue for this project,” said Patterson. “Once we get this updated, we can periodically review so that we can stay current with job classification and compensation.” Funding for this project will cost approximately $76,000 and the Archer Company will provide analyses to over 1,000 positions and to more than 500 job titles.
Henry County Accountability Courts Accept Grant The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved acceptance of a $9,750 technology grant from the Office of the Governor/Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for the Accountability Court Program for the 2017 fiscal year, at the regular Board of Commission meeting held on Tuesday in McDonough. Funds from this technology grant will go towards reducing recidivism within the county and is divided into sections. A portion of $5,500 is for the DUI/Drug Court, $3,300 is for the Juvenile Mental Health Court and $950 is for the Resource Court.
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June 12, 2017 Henry County Fire Department Warns of Misleading Solicitations The Henry County Fire Department wants the public to be aware that they are not currently running a fundraising campaign or soliciting funds, however, HCFD officials have recently been notified about solicitors canvassing neighborhoods and local businesses, allegedly representing themselves as local firefighters in order to solicit donations. Some citizens report being asked to support firefighters and their efforts to provide safer communities in which to live and work. According to the HCFD’s Public Information Officer, Captain Michael Black, solicitors are targeting residents and business owners of Henry County. “ S e v e r a l individuals have reported receiving flyers and phone calls requesting donations,” said Black. S p e c i f i c information may be provided including names or “official” rank. Solicitors might also recall recent publicized department events to validate their cause. “There may not be anything illegal about these organizations, but if the comments are that they are affiliated with the Henry County Fire Department,
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then that truly is a misrepresentation,” said Captain Michael Black. The Henry County Fire Department will never call and solicit money or an electronic payment. Legitimate donations are only accepted through department headquarters and the community relations office. “Official fire business would also be done in an official vehicle with personnel wearing proper uniforms,” stated Captain Black. Residents should always protect themselves from becoming victims of identity theft and fraud, by never giving out any personal information when getting unsolicited phone calls. Giving out sensitive information, both personal and financial, can put people at risk for fraud. Information pertaining to official fire department activities can be obtained by calling Community Relations at 770-288-6619 or by visiting the official county website at henrycounty-ga. com/Departments/ PublicSafetyEmergencyServices/FireDepartment. aspx.
Henry County Parks and Recreation Honors Lost Soldiers
In honor and remembrance of the lost service men and women, Henry County Parks and Recreation held its annual Memorial Day service May 29 at the Veterans Wall of Honor, in McDonough. The Memorial Day service brought out one of the largest number of crowds to date, with approximately 700 people in attendance to remember and show respects for those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Keynote Speaker W. Montague “Q� Winfield,
Major General, U.S. Army (Retired) shared his remarks and reminded those in attendance who the true heroes of our country are. In solemn tribute, both Amazing Grace and Taps played and a wreath was presented in memoriam. Seven World War II aircrafts flew over the crowd to top off the end of the service. The Veterans Wall of Honor is located in Heritage Park at 101 Lake Dow Rd. in McDonough.
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June 12, 2017
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June 12, 2017 Henry County Finance Department Lauded for Excellence in Financial Reporting
The Henry County Finance Department was recently awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for the fiscal year 2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. According to a statement issued by the Government Finance Officers Association, “the Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.” This is the twelfth consecutive year that Henry County has earned the Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting, having been judged and evaluated by an impartial panel, meeting high standards and demonstrating a spirit of full disclosure to clearly communicate Henry County’s
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financial story. “Working as a team throughout the year, not just when the audit is upon the Finance Department, provides the thoroughness necessary to insure the county’s audit goes smoothly,” said Fred Auletta, Henry County Financial Services Director. “We work diligently to create a document that is transparent to our citizens showing the county’s outstanding financial strength disclosed by our financial records.” The Government Finance Officers Association is a nonprofit, p r o f e s s i o n a l association dedicated to the sound management of government financial resources, which serves approximately 19,000 government finance professionals. To view the 2016 Henry County Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and the Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), visit henrycounty-ga.com/ Departments/D-L/ Finance.aspx.
Work Continues on Campground Road Extension Critical East-West connector planned for more than twenty years is moving forward
A SPLOST project that has been on the books for more than a decade and in the planning stage for at least 20 years, continues to progress as contractors are busy constructing the Campground Road Extension Project. With the design phase and purchase of right-of way complete, construction is in full swing according to SPLOST Transportation Director Roque Romero. Crews continue to clear land and are currently constructing a box culvert for the transportation project which has been desperately needed to alleviate the traffic congestion caused by the explosive growth the County has experienced over the last 15 years. The 2.9-mile Campground Road Extension is part of a critical east-west connector designed to ease traffic congestion through central Henry County. It has been planned since the late 1980s, and was “on the books� before many of the surrounding businesses and subdivisions were conceived. Because there has been so much activity in the area, some residents have expressed concerns regarding the ongoing project. Regarding the Magnolias of Eagles Landing subdivision, the Campground Road Extension project had been planned several years before the creation of the subdivision. In 1997 Henry County rezoned the land that is now known as the Magnolias at Eagles Landing from industrial to residential and in 1998, the city of Stockbridge annexed the property, keeping the same zoning. A final plat was signed in 2004 by
city of Stockbridge officials and clearly shows the Campground Road Extension planned for the area. In 2014, in reference to the project, the Magnolias Property Owners Association sold a right of way and easement to Henry County for $703. It is important to note that the planned roadway does not intersect the Magnolias at Eagles Landing subdivision, it simply runs parallel to the back of a portion of the subdivision, and includes a natural buffer to minimize the impact. Over the years, Henry County officials have held public meetings regarding the Campground Road Extension project to help homeowners understand the implications. Design for the Campground Road Extension project was approved by voters under SPLOST II, and the construction portion under SPLOST III, but due to financial reasons, the economic recession and other delays, it will now be completed under the current SPLOST. The Campground Road Extension project starts at the end of the Georgia DOT I-75/Jodeco Interchange, beginning with a four-lane roadway and continuing as a four-lane road to the Jodeco/Peach Drive intersection. After that intersection, Jodeco Rd. will run on a new alignment as a two-lane road toward S.R. 42 and will continue east of S.R.42, tying in right before Brannan Rd. The work also consists of building a new bridge over the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks. The contractor is McCoy Grading and the construction cost is $13,327,208. Total project cost is $19,777,060, however condemnations are still pending. The duration of the entire project is expected to be two years with a completion date of March 2019. For more information on this or any other SPLOST project, please visit henrycounty-ga.com/ splost.aspx.
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June 12, 2017 Commercial Corridors to See Increased Maintenance Commercial corridors and right-of-ways in Henry County will be getting more frequent maintenance thanks to the efforts of Henry County Commissioners in response to constituents’ concerns. Two initiatives are being implemented to deal with the maintenance of county roadways. Beginning June 1, the county has contracted with a service to keep the commercial corridors on the north side of Henry County neat and trim throughout several districts, giving attention to highly visible corridors by maintaining a rigorous cutting schedule at an average of three times a month. District IV Commissioner Blake Prince said one of the top complaints he receives concerns unsightly, high grass in the county’s right-of-ways. He added that contracting with a grass-cutting service is a big step in tackling t h e problem.
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“The areas being maintained are the first thing people see when coming into the county,” said Prince. “Keeping these areas clean and well-kept will invite more businesses and patrons into Henry County.” In an effort to address the issue of grass cutting county-wide, beginning July 1, each of the five county districts will have a dedicated grass-cutting crew to maintain right-of-way and non-commercial corridors throughout the county. DOT Director Wade Stroud said that his department is in the process of hiring and organizing the crews who will maintain the grass-cutting schedule year-round. “We are trying to be proactive in keeping the highly visible corridors throughout the county neat and wellmaintained,” said Stroud.