Water rates will increase for Lincoln County residents, effective August 1.

The action was taken at the regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners held Thursday, July 12.

According to Roby Seymour, director of the county's Public Works Department, "We recently had an independent company do a rate analysis in connection with our loan for water system improvements from GEFA (Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority). The company found that our income-to-debt ratio is low. GEFA says we are supposed to have an income-to-debt ratio of 105 percent; ours is now at 60 percent."

The current base rate for all residential and commercial customers is $20 per 2,000 gallons of water plus $3.50 for each additional thousand. As of August 1, customers will be charged a base rate of $21 plus $4 for each additional thousand. On the whole, the average customer will see a $3 increase in his water bill each month.

The eight-and-one-half-percent increase marks the first time water rates have been raised since 2000.

"We need to do this to get to 105 percent so we can fulfill our obligations to GEFA," said Director Seymour.

In other business, the commission approved a tentative FY 2008 General Fund Budget of $6,269,050, which reflects a 3.38-percent increase ($205,247) over last year's budget of $6,063,803.

According to Commission Chairman Walker Norman, "The department heads requested what amounted to a 16-percent increase in the budget. When the county commissioners got through with it, it was 3.38. I would compare our budget to that of any county our size. We kept it as low as we could."

The major increases in the budget are found in the following areas:

(1) County employees will receive a 2.89-percent raise across the board for a total of roughly $72,000.

(2) The county plans to purchase a new motor grader for the Public Works Department and a new, fullyequipped patrol car for the sheriff's office.

The county is looking at a rollback of from .2 to .4 mills. There is no question that the millage rate will drop this year due to new growth in the county.

The departmental budgets that comprise the FY 2008 General Fund Budget are: Board of Commissioners, $157,521; Office of Emergency Services, $694,020; Coroner's Office, $12,379; Probate/Magistrate Court, $151,203; Communications, $161,371; Tax Commissioner's Office, $170,130; Tax Assessor's Office, $180,659; the Cost-Share Program, $72,381.

Clerk of Superior Court, $218,573; Volunteer Fire Departments, $10,580; Arts and Recreation, $168,571; the Senior Citizens Program, $53,451; The Lincoln Center, $27,933; Elections, $66,157; the Cooperative Extension Service, $62,771; the Road Department, $585,023; the County Shop, $91,154; the Library, $97,440.

General Administration, $1,156,352; the County Attorney, $27,834; G.I.S., $31,280; Planning and Zoning, $91,117; Code Enforcement, $95,838; Transit, $69,279; the Jail, $590,430; the Sheriff's Office, $611,781; Finance, $54,588; Information Technology, $73,568; the Capital Projects Fund, $74,300; and Employer Payroll Liability, $405,366.

The final budget will be adopted when the commission receives the definitive figures on the tax digest from the tax assessor.

In a related item of business, the commission likewise adopted the tentative Budget Resolution for the Miscellaneous Fund Budgets for FY 2008. The budgets are as follows: Hotel/Motel Fund Budget, $15,000; SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) Fund Budget, $700,000; E-911 Fund Budget, $76,000; Family Connection Fund Budget, $196,132; FAST START Grant Fund Budget, $75,000; Drug Education Fund Budget, $1,500; Jail Fee Fund Budget, $8,500; Solid Waste Fund Budget, $667,965; and Water Fund Budget, $747,000.

The combined total of the budgets is $2,487,097.

In further business, the commission heard an update on economic development given by Alana Burke, executive director of the Lincoln County Development Authority.

During her presentation, Burke reported that construction is reaching completion on the new 36,000- square-foot distribution center for Hero Metal Furniture Company, Ltd., located behind Top Grill, LLC on the McCormick Highway. "Top Grill and Hero Metal Furniture will be working together to import furniture through the Port of Savannah to Lincoln County for distribution in the United States," the director said.

Hero Metal Furniture Company is based in Jaixing City, China. Lincoln County and the Xiuzhou District, which includes Jaixing City, were designated as sister communities during a ceremony held in March of 2006 in China.

An open house for the new facility will be held in October.

In other remarks, Burke pointed out that the development authority also continues to work with Medac, Inc. to move forward with the company's plans to build a new facility in the Lincoln County Business Park on Old Petersburg Road."Presently, Medac plans to set up shop at a temporary location in order to start operations in Lincoln County," she noted. "This decision will allow Medac to begin hiring locally and start training new employees for the company's initial work force, which will provide the business with a solid base of local employees for its expansion efforts once the new building is completed."

Burke likewise informed the commissioners that Charles Owen & Company, Ltd., a manufacturer of equestrian safety equipment based in North Wales, has moved from its temporary location on the Augusta Highway to its permanent home in the former FDB building in the business park. "The company has been pleased with its decision to locate in Lincoln County and is encouraged by its growth here. Things worked out well for us, too."

In additional items of news, Burke told the commission that infrastructure improvements at the business park continue to transform it into a first-class facility, an environment where businesses want to locate. "The development authority is currently working with the county to provide sewerage service in the park through grant funds from the OneGeorgia Authority. Work on the lines and the lift station are scheduled to begin in the near future."

The executive director further indicated that the paving projects completed earlier this year at the park have dramatically improved its appearance and access potential.

In conclusion, Burke said the development authority is presently working with two new business prospects - one would bring 140 jobs to the county and the other, 125. Also, another company in China is exploring the possibility of locating a distribution center here.

"It's really encouraging to get these major contacts," stated Burke. "I appreciate the support of the board of commissioners and that of the entire Lincoln County community. We look forward to updating everyone in the future should any of these companies make the decision to join us here in Lincoln County."

Also during the meeting, the commission:

.. Heard the Department of Public Safety Report given by EMS Director Paul Rentz, who indicated that the ambulance service responded to 99 calls for emergency assistance during the month of June.

Concerning the E-911 center, operators handled 797 emergency calls last month, monitored 6,836 radio transmissions, and dispatched a total of 597 public safety, law enforcement, and fire calls.

.. Heard the Public Works Department Report given by Director Seymour, who noted that the county billed 1,583 water customers for $47,443.54 last month.

Concerning roads, the director indicated that his staff has been busy motor grading, bush-hogging, patching pot holes, installing driveways, and replacing the signage on various roads.

In a related item of business, the commission voted to ask the Georgia DOT for assistance in resurfacing Double Branches Road from the Augusta Highway to Tankersley Store.

.. Voted to change the name of Oxford Industrial Road to Global Drive. The road runs from the McCormick Highway down beside Top Grill to Hero Metal Furniture Company's new distribution center.

.. Voted to accept right-of-way deeds from the following: John Weathers, Jr., $1,260; Vien Vanderhoof, $2,760; Diane Dunsmore, $15,120; the Estate of Sadie Mai Anderson Guillebeau, $3,900; Linda Bufford, $1,1440; and Robert G. Jenkins, $3,360.

The deeds will help prepare the way for the paving of Nathania Farm Road. The $27,840 needed to purchase the properties were taken from the Road Projects Budget.

.. Heard the Recreation Department Report given by Director Kathie Davis, who indicated that four teams have registered to play adult coed softball. The season began Tuesday, July 17, with games set for Tuesday and Thursday nights.

The director went on to report that Lincoln County finished third in the district-wide Junior League All-Star Tournament held recently at the Curry Colvin Recreation Complex. "We had a good crowd and a lot of great volunteers who helped us out," she said.

In other items of information, Davis reported that since larger "No boats in the beach area" signs have been put up at Eddie Fletcher Park, most boaters have starting parking on the sides of the beach area. "Maybe this will solve our problem, and we won't have to rope off the beach. We'll keep checking on it."

In conclusion, Director Davis announced that a football camp will be held at the complex July 23-25. Coach Glenn Matthews will serve as the instructor.

.. Heard the Finance Department Report given by Director Traci Bussey.

.. Heard the Planning and Zoning Report given by Director Meg Burg, who said her office issued nine business licenses in June for a total of $443.

Regarding code enforcement, 64 building permits were issued last month for a total of $5,715.44. In addition, 227 building inspections were conducted.

.. Voted to rezone 135.42 acres on Bethany Church Road from A-3 to R-1 to accommodate a major subdivision. The developer is Carl Szasz of AquaSolaris, LLC.

.. Voted to grant a plat approval variance for .69 acres of land on Amity-Woodlawn Road to allow Michael and Michelle Mongrue to purchase land adjoining their property.

.. Voted to grant a plat approval variance for lot-depth ratio on land located on Double Branches Road at the request of Sandra B. Cole, who is representing the Beggs Estate.

.. Voted to grant a plat approval variance on property owned by William and Carol Smith on Pistol Creek Road to allow for the subdivision of land.

.. Voted to grant a side and rear/ building square footage variance for property owned by the Georgia-Carolina Boat and Ski Club on Cherokee Country Club Road to accommodate a deck.

.. Voted to grant the final plat determination for the Charleston Bay subdivision, which is being developed by Larry Courtney of Charleston Bay, LLC. Located on Tabernacle Church Road, the 79.45-acre subdivision will feature 75 lots.

The commission approved the following road names for the development: Meeting Street, Tradd Court, Magnolia Circle, Bull Court, and Wentworth Court.

.. Voted to adopt a text amendment change to the Lincoln County Land Development Code. The amendment states: "At the preliminary plat stage, unless granted a waiver by the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, the water system of a development must connect to the county water system. All systems, commercial or residential, public or private, must be approved by the board of commissioners."

.. Voted to approve a bond reduction request, made by the developers of the Pointe Shores subdivision, in the amount of $57,200. The county will retain $10,500 in escrow.

.. Was informed by program coordinator Colleen LeRoy that the Toombs Judicial Circuit recently received a $75,000 grant from the Children and Youth Coordinating Council (CYCC) to continue the FAST START Program, which was implemented last year in the circuit.

The commission then voted to accept the grant on behalf of the circuit.

.. Voted to loan the development authority $98,919.22 until tax revenues start to come in. The money is to be paid back by December 31, 2007.

.. Voted to renew a memorandum of understanding with Augusta Technical College that will allow EMT and paramedic students from the school to obtain hands-on training by working with the Lincoln County Department of Public Safety.

The agreement will remain in effect for three years.

.. Appointed Renee Guthrie to represent District 2 on the Lincoln County Department of Family and Children Services Board. She will fill the unexpired term of Sara Moss, who passed away recently.

.. Appointed Mickie McGee to represent District 3 on the Lincoln County Library Board. She will fill the unexpired term of Patty Hawkes.

.. Voted to enter into executive session to discuss real estate. Upon re- turning to regular session, the group:

.. Voted to purchase .36 acres of right of way on Nathania Farm Road from the Houston Family Partnership for the appraised value ($9,415 per acre).

.. Voted to hire an independent appraiser to determine the value of a total of .11 acres of right of way owned by Dan Gates on Nathania Farm Road.

The next regular meeting of the commissioners will be held Thursday, August 9, at 5:30 p.m. in the courtroom on the second floor of the Lincoln County Courthouse.