Politics & Government

Live from the County Commissioners Meeting

The possible millage rate increase is top news at today's meeting.

The  will hear from the public about a proposed millage rate increase that was discussed at the .The commissioners will also discuss redistricting changes based on the 2010 census. Read a . Holly Springs-Hickory Flat editor Jessie Gable is at the meeting providing live updates.

8:19 p.m.

Suspension of Bali's license stands. Meeting adjourned. 

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8:15 p.m.

The marshal who was involved in the sting operation for the Bali establishment was just sworn in to ensure he is telling the truth. 

Find out what's happening in Woodstock-Towne Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

8:07 p.m.

Still in defense-lawyer style, the representative for the store presents what could only be described as an opening argument. According to the representative, the cashier looked at the license of the undercover "decoy" and did the math wrong, thus selling alcohol to a minor. 

8:02 p.m.

Bali on Bells Ferry faces alcohol suspension as a representative for the store--and former lawyers--faces the board as if it were a trial asking if the marshal had been sworn in before he said what happened.  

8:01 p.m.

Alcohol license suspended for 21 days at the Texaco on Bells Ferry and Highway 92.

7:47 p.m.

The Texaco in question is on the corner of Bells Ferry Road and Highway 92. 

7:45 p.m.

Texaco representatives come before the board to dispute that they sold alcohol to two minors. 

7:43 p.m.

Commission votes 4-1 to suspend Justa Bar for 14 days instead of 21 days.

7:39 p.m.

The representative gets angry with Commissioner Jason Nelms after he said he supports the suspension.

7:33 p.m.

Under Justa Bar’s ordinance, they are required to sell 60 percent food and 40 percent alcohol.

7:26 p.m.

Commissioner Jason Nelson said Justa Bar was in his post and fully supported the suspension after a patron of the establishment left the bar/restaurant late at night and was killed driving home.

7:21 p.m.

Rep from Justa Bar said his system of checking out was faulty and counting cheese and non alcoholic beverages as alcohol which is why it looks like he’s selling more alcohol than he is food. He also said that shutting down his business for 21 days would affect 38 families who are barely getting by.

7:14 p.m.

Justa Bar representative speaks on how they tried to run the restaurant with a carry-out menu and instituted new pricing and a Sunday brunch. 

7:13 p.m.

Proposed suspension of Justa Bar on Bells Ferry Road for 21 days followed by one year of probation after an inspection showed that the main purpose of Justa Bar was not to serve food. 

7:03 p.m.

Consent agenda approved.

6:50 p.m.

Commission discusses moviving the southwest three precincts from post three to post four. Remainder of Sutalee and Toonigh would move to post three. Wyngate would move from four to three. Western portion of the Teasley precinct would change to post three. Lick Skillet would move to post two. Free Home precinct would no longer be split. 

6:40 p.m.

Same speaker from the alcohol sales gets back up to talk about the millage rate increase. “You may be out of money, but so is everyone else…We’re at a place where county government has got to look at a new paradigm of operation.” She would like to form a “citizens committee” to find better options for spending instead of raising millage. She also admits she has not looked at the budget. There are six to 12 people ready to serve on this committee from Hickory Flat, Canton and Woodstock, she said. 

She said she lost the first round but would like to win this one. 

6:33 p.m.

Speaker on the millage rate increase said he’s been in Cherokee all of his life, lives on Faye Conn Road, and can’t afford any more taxes on his land. He said he already pays $500 a month.

6:22 p.m.

Commissioners vote unanimously to put the Sunday alcohol sales on the November ballot pending the School Board's decision to put SPLOST on the same ballot. 

6:15 p.m.

Commissioners discuss amending the agenda to include a vote on Sunday sales tonight.  

6:10 p.m

Public speaker number one talks to the commission about Sunday alcohol sales. “Eight citizens asked you to keep the status quo...You have a moral obligation to respond to the citizens on the status quo.” She also said that private phone calls and private polls cannot be reviewed by the public. "None of those citizens (the ones in favor of Sunday sales) bothered to show up at the public hearing.” She continues to state that it was unethical to vote in favor of a vote when the people at the public hearing asked otherwise.

6:09 p.m.

Meeting begins, Karen Bosch announces a July 9 motorcycle ride in honor of her son who died in a motorcycle accident a few years ago. 

3:50 p.m.

The average home owner would feel a $33 to $35 increase in property tax over the next year under this proposed plan. 

3:47 p.m.

Tax hikes appear inevitable to make up for the budget deficit in Cherokee next year. Commissioner Henry Johnson said, "I don’t see a way we could avoid that (a tax hike) next year."

3:42 p.m.

Karen Bosch said, "We definitely don't want to raise taxes, but we're at a position where we might have to." 

3:38 p.m.

County Manager Jerry Cooper presents the possible millage rate hike in 2012. According to Cooper, the county could be at a $5 million shortfall in 2012. By making several adjustments, they could reduce it to $3 million. Those adjustments include using the sheriff's office jail fund, using the pension credit, monitoring the increased costs for 2012 elections, maintaining vacant positions, increasing court fines and traffic citations, lower the business license revenue, sale of administration building, severance option for legal council, workers compensation and increased fuel costs. 

3:09 p.m.

Awards given out to those who have earned them in the past year for working in the county for 10 or 15 years. 

3 p.m.

The work session begins at 3 p.m. County officials are required to attend, but there are quite a few kids in the audience today. 


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