The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners voted to purchase three AutoPulse cardiac support pumps for a total of approximately $45,000 at the group's regular meeting held Thursday, November 13.

The machines, which will be placed on each county ambulance, are basically CPR compression devices that squeeze the entire chest, giving patients consistent, high-quality compressions that deliver improved blood flow.

Since September, the device has been credited with helping resuscitate four individuals in the county.

In other business, Colleen LeRoy, FAST START administrator, informed those present that the Toombs Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court, which is based in Lincoln County, recently received a $300,000 "System of Care" Grant from the Governor's Office of Children and Families. The funds will allow the FAST START initiative, a community-based resource program for juveniles, to add five counties to its service area.

LeRoy went on to request a $60,000 loan from the county to keep the program operating until the state makes the first quarterly drawdown available in January.

The commission agreed to advance LeRoy the funds, which will be repaid within 15 months.

In further business, the board:

.. Voted to transfer $246,356.26 from the Emergency Fund to the Road Construction Fund. The action was taken because the county borrowed the sum listed above from the Road Construction Fund in order to make payments on the new gymnasium at the Curry Colvin Recreation Complex, which will ultimately be funded by SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) revenues.

SPLOST monies will then be used to reimburse the Emergency Fund when the tax revenues become available.

.. Was informed that the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office has not yet transferred monies from the inmate telephone system to the county. The fund was at the center of a civil suit that was settled last month.

.. Reviewed the Department of Public Safety Report in the absence of Director Ernie Doss, who indicated that the ambulance and fire/rescue service responded to 104 calls for emergency assistance during the month of October. Call volume was identical to that of October of 2007.

Concerning the E-911 center, operators monitored 3,593 radio transmissions and dispatched a total of 542 public safety, law enforcement, and fire calls.

.. Heard the Department of Public Works Report given by Roby Seymour, who said his office billed 1,346 water customers and 491 "availability customers" last month for a total of $52,605.

Concerning roads, the director reported that his staff has been busy scraping roads; hauling crushed asphalt, surge stone, rip rap, and crush-and-run; bush-hogging; installing driveways; and spreading dirt around the new gymnasium.

.. Heard the Recreation Department Report given by Director Kathie Davis, who noted that the football season will run from November 15 to December 13.

She went on to give those present an update on the new gym, explaining that the moisture level is too high to allow workers to put down the rubber flooring.

.. Heard the Finance Department Report given by Director Traci Bussey, who said the FY 2008 audit was scheduled to begin this week (November 17-21).

.. Heard the Planning and Zoning Report given by Director Meg Burg, who said her office issued four business licenses during the month of October for a total of $132.50.

Regarding code enforcement, 37 building permits were issued last month for a total of $1,972 and 151 building inspections were conducted.

.. Voted to approve a side and rear setback variance to accommodate an accessory structure (storage) on property located on Cherokee Country Club Road. The land is owned by Ann Webb and David and Hope Crook of the Georgia-Carolina Boat Club.

.. Voted to accept the wells in the Eagle Pointe Subdivision, located off of Fishing Creek Road.

.. Voted to reroute water lines at the James Allen Reed Water Treatment Plant to solve the unmetered water problem in the Soap Creek area.

The project will cost $27,688.83 plus 10 percent to cover engineering expenses. The cost of the lines will be used to offset money owed to the county by the City of Lincolnton for over-billing for water during an 18-month period.

.. Voted to approve a cash bond reduction request in the amount of $131,896.66, made by the developers of the Serenity Point subdivision. The remaining balance is $919,479.57.

.. Voted to approve a bond release request, made by the developers of the Eagle Pointe subdivision; the bonds were set to expire December 5, 2008. However, a 25-percent warranty bond in the amount of $96,687 for the water system will be retained for one year.

.. Voted to approve a bond reduction request made by the developers of the Long Leafe Pointe subdivision, off of Chamberlain's Ferry Road.

.. Voted to approve a payment of $7,705.60 from the Drug Education Fund for the purchase of drug awareness literature for students at LCES.

.. Voted to renew alcoholic beverage licenses for the following businesses: Golf de L, Soap Creek Marina, American Legion Post 194, L.W.'s Bait & Tackle, Cliatt Crossing, and Soap Creek Lodge and Restaurant.

The next regular meeting of the commissioners will be held Thursday, December 11, at 6 p.m. in the courtroom on the second floor of the courthouse.