Commissioners discuss projects and look ahead at Fiscal Year 2021

At this month’s first meeting of the Houston County Board of Commissioners, the board unanimously voted to enter into a professional services agreement with SP Design Group, who will render architectural services relative to the construction of a new government building, which will house the Houston County Extension Office, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and the Board of Elections. During the meeting of the board on March 17, a resolution between Houston County and the City of Perry was approved in which the county agreed to sell the Houston County Government Building—located at 801 Main Street in Perry—to the city.

Commissioner Larry Thomson presented to the board that SP Design Group would provide these services for an estimated amount of $202,440, and that the company required a lump sum fee of $7,440 for the programming stage of the project in which—according to the proposal from SP Design Group—the company would meet with representatives of the County Extension Office, Board of Elections and ultimately, county representatives, to determine what the needs of those offices that would be using the facility are, what could be accommodated against the budget for the project, and review the current facilities that house these offices.

Chairman Stalnaker noted that some aspects of the programming stage had already begun and that some of the engineering plans would be available soon.

“As we stated before, this is going to be a fast track; hopefully the building will be under construction by early to late fall,” Stalnaker said.

“I do think that we will rebound. I’m not sure [if] we’re going to rebound in the next six or eight months; I think it will be fiscal year 2021 before we see some level of return,” Stalnaker said, further explaining that revenues could be affected, citing the effects on automobile sales, and sales tax, as well as possible property tax issues in the event that residents are compromised to the point that they cannot pay them. Stalnaker also said that there may be anticipated losses in the retirement system due to stock market conditions, which in that event, would result in the need for increased contributions.

“I’m not painting doom and gloom; I’m just forewarning you—it’s going to be tough in fiscal year 2021, and we’re going to have to be very prudent in how we appropriate money,” Stalnaker said.

Stalnaker also shared that he had no intention of raising taxes. “I think all of us have said in the past, and I will go on the record now saying, that I have no intentions of raising taxes on anybody in this current situation that we have.” Stalnaker further noted that the government needed to be prepared just like everyone else. “I am not willing to ask people for more money when they’re struggling right now,” Stalnaker said, with Thomson and McMichael later echoing this standpoint.

In other business, the commissioners approved the purchase of a 2019 Ford F-150 Crew Cab Truck for the Houston County Detention Center in the amount of $34,934, provided by Brannen Ford of Perry. Chairman Stalnaker informed that a Dodge Charger was moved from the Detention Center to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division to compensate for a patrol vehicle, which had been involved in an accident. Stalnaker said that the settlement from the other driver’s insurance company–$11,777—was not enough to replace the wrecked vehicle; therefore, the charger would remain in use by the patrol division and the F-150 would be acquired for the Detention Center.

Commissioner Tom McMichael’s motion stated that the Inmate Fund would reimburse the General Fund for the purchase. County Administrator, Berry Holland reported to the board that the settlement check from the accident had been received in the aforementioned amount.

Chairman Stalnaker also asked the board to keep the in mind the upcoming budget requests for the 2021 fiscal year, adding that he understood that these are “uncertain economic times,” and that he foresees possible “fallout.”

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