They approved everything in 10 minutes flat, including the Special Asessment Rate for 2018, the Community and Economic Development Strategy, and yes, they added to the agenda and passed the Resolution Supporting HR 158 to Stop Diversion of State Fees.

Below are links to each LAKE video with a few notes, followed by a LAKE video playlist. See also the LAKE videos of the previous morning’s Work Session, and the agenda and the notes in it.

• 1. Call to Order 2. Invocation 3. Pledge

  Video.

• 4. Minutes for Approval 2018-01-8-9

  Video.

• 5.a. Abandonment of a Portion of Bradford Road N.

  Video.

• 5.b. Special Assessment Rate for 2018

  Video.

• 5.c. Beer & Wine License – DBA JK Food Mart – 3663 New Statenville Hwy.

  Video.

• 5.d. Community and Economic Development Strategy

  Video.

• 5.e. Stop Loss Insurance Coverage Through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia

  Video.

• 5.f. Resolution Supporting HR 158 to Stop Diversion of State Fees

  Video. Thomas Lynn, Valdosta Daily Times, January 24, 2018, County supports ending fee diversion,

  VALDOSTA — The Lowndes County Commission approved a resolution supporting House Resolution 158 to stop diversion of state fees.

  At its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, the commission voted unanimously to support the Statehouse’s resolution that would help revenues derived from fees and taxes go into the appropriate funds.

  There are more than 500 Georgia municipalities, businesses and residents that submit millions of dollars in fees and payments annually to the state, documents state.

  Many of the fees were created to aid local governments in implementing various programs such as hazardous-waste cleanups, clean-community programs, indigent defense and judicial programs, peace officer training and teen-driver training.

  However, the State of Georgia has been significantly redirecting the fees to fund unrelated portions of the state budget, according to the county. Without funding from the fees, many local governments often have to raise taxes to fund the programs designed to keep residents healthy and safe.

  HR-158 is currently in review by the House Ways and Means Committee.

  If the General Assembly adopts a resolution on the issue during the 2018 legislative session, a constitutional amendment could be put before the voters in November.

  And HR 158 was voted out of the Ways and Means Committee ontothe floor of the House yesterday. Previously, Lanier County, Adel, Atkinson County, and now Lowndes County supported it. Next: Valdosta, Hahira, and maybe another.

• 6. Reports — County Manager; No report

  Video.

• 7. Citizens Wishing to Be Heard: none, so they adjourned

  Video.

Here’s a LAKE video playlist:

Videos: Approved resolution against state fee diversion, economic strategy, road abandonment
Regular Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Video by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, January 23, 2018.

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