HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-1998 Meeting
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FIN ANCE & APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE ROOM - September 8, 1998
1:00 P. M.
PRESENT: Hons. Larry E. Sconyers, Mayor; Bridges, Chairman; H. Brigham,
Vice-Chairman; Beard and 1. Brigham, members; Randy Oliver, Administrator; Jim
Wall, Attorney; David Collins, Finance Department; Lillian Katharine Blanos, Augusta
Richmond County Clean & Beautiful Director; Sheryl Jolly, Solicitor General; Lena
Bonner, Clerk of Commission and Nancy Morawski, Deputy Clerk of Commission.
Also Present: Stacey Eidson of The Metropolitan Spirit and George Eskola of
WJBF Television.
The Committee first heard a presentation from Mrs. Sheryl Jolly regarding
her request for additional staffing in the Solicitor's Office.
Ms. Jolly: In past budget years I have previously asked for an additional
investigator and two attorneys for our office. Our workload has tremendously increased
with the cases from Municipal Court, and at this time we are in desperate need of an
additional attorney to help with the caseload and to provide customer service to people
who come into the office for assistance. The starting salary for this attorney would be
$34,338 and I have enough money in my budget for the remainder of this year. The
judges also concur in my request at this time.
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Mr. Oliver: We would have to budget this for next year and we're $1.3 million
short so we've got to cut that much and that doesn't include any additional personnel.
The efficit:mcy study will be coming out in November so we don't know yet what that
will say about this office.
Mr. Beard: I am sympathetic to your request but I'm also concerned about
fairness to other departments who will come to us requesting the same consideration as
you have.
After a lengthy discussion, Mr. 1. Brigham: I make a motion that we receive it as
information until we get the report back from David Griffith.
Mr. Beard: Second.
Motion adopted with Mr. H. Brigham voting "No".
The Committee next considered renewal of membership with Energy
Communities Alliance in the amount of $5,000.
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Mr. Oliver: It is my opinion that we do not receive a great deal of benefit from
this and would recommend that we not renew our membership. This group lobbies on
behalf of the industry and not for just one site, and we have already appropriated money
for our lobbyists for SRS.
Mr. Beard: I move that we discontinue our membership with this group.
Mr. Chairman: I'll second the motion.
Mr. J. Brigham: I would like a little more information about what benefits we
have received.
Mr. Oliver: I can put that information together and bring it back to the next
meeting.
It was the consensus of the Committee that this item be postponed to the next
Committee meeting.
A request to approve the deed of transfer for one (1) property to the
Richmond County Land Bank Authority, was read.
Mr. Wall: We recommend approval of this.
Mr. J. Brigham: I so move.
Mr. H. Brigham: Second.
Motion adopted unanimously.
Communication from the Metro Augusta Chamber of Commerce regarding
a request for funding in the amount of $500 for participation by the City of Augusta
in the upcoming annual meeting of the Metro Augusta Chamber of Commerce, was
read.
Mr. Beard: I so move.
Mr. Oliver: With funding to come from "Commission Other". There is $8,500
remaining in that account.
Mr. J. Brigham: Second.
Motion adopted unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Lena J. Bonner
Clerk of Commission
NWM