Christine Carney

The proceedings began with special recognitions and a presentation regarding the 2022 millage rate, which included details on the proposed rate of 18.69 mills, contrasting it with the advertised rate, and showing budget allocations across public safety, general government, court services, recreation, parks, and transportation. Budget highlights included the funding of all current programs and services, balanced budget status, and updates on senior services meals and the commencement of programming at the Grady Jarrett Resource Opportunity Center. Further operational highlights included the establishment of a mobile medic response team, purchase of a new 911 system, completion of the animal services shelter expansion, and relocation of the board of elections. A comparison of the tax digest from 2021 to 2022 was presented, showing growth, alongside a history of millage rates since 2010, indicating a proposed increase from the previous year's rollback rate. The meeting transitioned into the first of three required public hearings specifically on the millage rate, where citizens expressed concerns over rising property taxes, requested a forensic audit of county books, and criticized increased spending and new park development, warning of significant tax increases for homeowners.

The meeting commenced with acknowledgments of Rockdale County's 150th birthday anniversary (1870 to 2020). Key agenda items included special recognitions and presentations. The Board proclaimed October 2020 as National Community Planning Month, recognizing the dedication of planning commissions and professional planners. A second proclamation honored National 4-H Week, highlighting the program's contribution to youth development. A subsequent proclamation also designated October 18th as Rockdale County Founders Day, acknowledging the county's creation date and heritage preservation efforts.

The document details actions taken during two concatenated meetings: a Special Call Meeting and a Regular Board Meeting. The Special Call Meeting focused solely on approving a resolution authorizing the execution and performance of an intergovernmental contract related to the Development Authority of Rockdale County taxable Revenue bond for a land acquisition project (Series 2024). The Regular Board Meeting included significant time dedicated to honoring a longtime employee, Marian 'Wink' Lester, for 45 years of service, including dedicating the softball fields at Earl O'Neal Park as the Marian 'Wink' Lester Fields. Agenda items for the regular session included discussions on amending the Future Land Use Map and rezoning cases for property near Ebenezer and Highway 138. Financial and grant actions involved approving a $155,000 Summer Boost Year Three Program Grant from the Georgia Recreation and Park Association, a change order for the Multi-Service Agent Aging Grant, an application for a $155,000 Dog and Cat Sterilization Grant, a Memorandum of Agreement with Georgia Piedmont Technical College for emergency communications certification, and multiple grant modifications (de-obligations and increases) related to the State Court DUI Court Supervised Treatment Program and the Juvenile Resource Court. Furthermore, approvals were sought for a utility agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation for SR20 water valve box adjustments, a change order to increase capacity for the Georgia Highway 138 sewer main extension, and a change order to add a full-time mental health professional for inmate health services.

The work session commenced with the Judicial and Administrative Complex quarterly update presented by Comprehensive Program Services. Key updates included the selection of design professionals and construction management firms in 2023, completion of site due diligence (including surveys, traffic studies, and soil sampling), and ongoing planning efforts to stay within budget. The schedule targets schematic design approval by Q1 2024 and groundbreaking in April 2024, with structures turnover commencing in Q4 2025. Outreach efforts involve community feedback sessions and engagement with local vendors, with a specific session scheduled for January 29th targeting local/hub vendors regarding early release bid packages. The agenda involved ratification or approval of numerous items, including multiple grant awards (e.g., Youth Intervention Enrichment and Learning Grant, Restorative Justice Complex funding, Carbon Monoxide Prevention Grant), contract amendments for juvenile court attorneys (including adjustments to Deana Roseberry's contract to remove delinquency case handling), and service agreements for Water Resources (water meters, toilet rebate programs), Fire Rescue, General Services (tire recycling, alarm monitoring), and Technology Services (Microsoft support, citizen request management). A significant amendment was discussed concerning the ESG operations contract for water treatment, showing a substantial annual price increase attributed to chemical costs.

This session marked Day 1 of the Budget Hearing Work Session, focused on departmental budget presentations. Presentations cover department goals, mission, values, personnel requests for 2026, and operating requests for 2026, along with updates to five-year capital improvement plans. The Public Defender's office presented its status, noting success in client rehabilitation through programs like Recap and Ladders, and highlighting the need for additional staff (two APD3 attorneys for Superior Court, one APD2 attorney for juvenile and SB440s cases, and a receptionist) to manage caseloads efficiently and improve office professionalism. The Public Defender also advocated for rebranding the office name to 'The Law Office of the Rockdale Circuit Public Defender' to elevate professional perception. Financial details noted an increase in operating expenses due to significant growth in building rent. The overall budget remains uncut, showing all requested figures. Future steps involve public hearings, budget reads, and adoption in December.