Camden County 2017 Annual Report

2017 Annual Report

CAMDEN COUNTY

GEORGIA

200 East 4th Street ● P.O. Box 99 ● Woodbine, Georgia 31569 ● 912-576-5601

www.camdencountyga.gov

Camden County Board of Commissioners Lannie E. Brant, District 1 Commissioner Brant began his term on the Board of Commissioners in January 2017. He also serves on the Coastal Regional Commission (CRC) Council.

His term expires in December 2020.

Chuck Clark, District 2, Vice-Chair Commissioner Clark began his first term on the Board of Commissioners in January 2011. He also serves on the Public Service Authority (PSA) Board.

His term expires in December 2018.

Jimmy Starline, District 3, Chair Commissioner Starline began his first term on the Board of Commissioners in August 2010. He also serves on the Camden Criminal Justice Council.

His term expires in December 2020.

Gary Blount, District 4 Commissioner Blount began his first term on the Board of Commissioners in January 2011. He also serves on the Camden County Board of Health.

His term expires in December 2018.

Ben L. Casey, District 5 Commissioner Casey began his term on the Board of Commissioners in January 2017. He also serves on the St. Marys River Management Committee.

His term expires in December 2020.

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About the Board of Commissioners

The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) serve as ambassadors and liaisons to many local, regional, and state boards, as well as committees that cover a variety of important matters affecting Camden County residents and businesses. Topics covered by these boards include the economy, transportation, regional and local planning, environment, tourism, juvenile issues, and the arts. Members of the BOCC are actively engaged in working for the good of the community.

www.camdencountyga.gov

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County Administrator I am eager to share with our citizens the milestones and progress Camden County achieved during a very busy 2017. The purpose of this annual report is to update our residents and visitors concerning the work and efforts made throughout the county that are set forth by our Strategic Plan 2017 – 2022 – 2032. Our Action Agenda 2017 component of the Strategic Plan, approved by the Board of County Commissioners, brought us new accomplishments and awards that I will share with you in the report.

The entire Strategic Plan 2017- 2022- 2032 can be found on the county's website at www.camdencountyga.gov. We use a strategic plan model that includes guiding essentials, such as value-based principles that detail a one-year work program focusing on a policy agenda for the Board of Commissioners, Annual Action Plan, Management Agenda for Staff, and other major projects; strategic goals that focus on outcome-based objectives and potential actions for the next 5 years; and a look 15 years in the future.

The 2017-2022-2032 Strategic Plan served as a guide for our work this year.

In November, we were fortunate to have Shawn Boatright join Camden County as Deputy County Administrator. Shawn's talent and skills are a benefit to the county and he is helping us meet the Commission's goal of succession planning as we move Camden forward.

This report highlights the tireless work of our Camden County employees and the benefits residents have seen because of their dedicated service. These talented public servants work hard every day to make our county great. I hope you enjoy this annual report and I look forward to working with you in 2018.

Yours for a Better Camden,

Steve L. Howard, MPA, ICMA-CM, CPM, CPPO County Administrator

Camden County's mission is to deliver defined county services with exceptional customer service and in a financially sustainable and transparent manner.

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By the Numbers 53,008 Population

a i g r o e G

ty n ou C en d m a C $53,327

91%

Median Household Income

High School Graduate, Age 25+

$151,700 Median Value of OwnerOccupied Housing

613.03 Square Miles Land Area

Top 5 Employers in Camden County 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay Trident Refit Facility Camden County Schools Express Scripts Lockheed Martin Space Systems Sources: U.S. Census Bureau Quick Facts, Camden County Joint Development Authority

www.camdencountyga.gov

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Fiscal Responsibility Where does the money go?

Housing & Development 2.3%

General Government 24.0%

Health & Welfare 1.9%

Culture & Recreation 2.2%

Judiciary 6.2%

Public Safety 33.7%

Public Works 29.6% *Governmental Services only. Does not include Enterprise Funds.

Camden County increased interest earnings by 60.3%, over 2016 earnings.

Camden County has an Aa3 Bond Rating.

In 2017, Camden County secured nearly $730,000 in grant funding, plus equipment.

The Camden County General Fund is debt free.

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Your Government at Work Camden County Planning and Zoning Inspectors averaged nearly 5 inspections every work day, completing 1,134 building inspections in 2017.

Camden County Public Works Department demolished 70 beaver dams in 2017, clearing waterways and promoting river flow.

In 2017, Animal Control answered over 3,600 calls for service in Kingsland, St. Marys, Woodbine, and all across unincorporated Camden County.

The Camden County Solid Waste Authority disposed of more than 305,000 tons of garbage at the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and Construction & Demolition (C & D) sites.

The Public Service Authority (PSA) received a $32,000 grant from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF) to purchase baseball and softball player safety and training equipment.

Camden County Public Works spent nearly 17,000 blade miles grading the 127.85 miles of unpaved road in the county.

www.camdencountyga.gov

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Public Safety Camden County E-911 answered a call, on average, every 2.5 minutes, receiving 207,068 calls in 2017.

The Non-Emergency Number is 912-729-1442.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) averaged almost seventeen (17) calls a day, receiving 6,069 calls in 2017.

Camden County Fire Rescue averaged nearly six (6) calls a day, receiving 2,099 calls in 2017.

1,030 people became CPR certified through one of the 224 CPR classes taught through Camden County Fire Rescue.

Camden County Sheriff's Office Deputies responded to more than 85,000 incidents in 2017.

The Georgia Air National Guard aided the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) with a Point of Distribution, supporting Camden County residents with over 140,000 bottles of water, more than 1,500 tarps, and 44,100 pounds of ice during Hurricane Irma recovery.

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Award-Winning Government The National Association of Counties (NACo) recognized Camden County with four Achievement Awards, including one Best in Category Award. The Achievement Awards are for: Advanced Connectivity and Transparent Government-'Staying Connected to Residents' Board of County Commissioners Living Well Onsite Wellness Clinic-'Customized Technology for Patients with the use of Electronic Medical Records' Doing Business Online-'Efficient and Convenient Electronic Bill Payment Service' The Best in Category Winner is for the Brush Truck and Tanker Retrofit Program through a Public-Public Partnership. This concept was recognized as the best idea in the Risk and Emergency Management category and was one of only eighteen (18) Best in Category winners. Additionally, this list was highlighted as one of the 100 Brilliant Ideas at Work by NACo. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) presented two awards to Camden County’s Finance and Budget Department during 2017.

The Department was awarded the FY2016 Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financing Reporting (CAFR) for going beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles in preparing comprehensive annual financials showing full disclosure and transparency.

This is the sixteenth consecutive year the County has received this award.

Secondly, the County’s Finance and Budget Department received the FY2017 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the highest quality in budget reporting that reflects both the guidelines established by the National Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting, and the GFOA’s best practices on budgeting. This was the second consecutive year that Camden County submitted their budget for review and received the award.

www.camdencountyga.gov

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Your Government at Work The Camden County Library had nearly 141,000 visitors in 2017.

Camden County Human Resources received more than 700 applications and resumes for employment.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division (EPD) awarded Camden County a $204,375 grant to clean up a section of the St. Marys River in the Horsepen Creek Watershed.

The Camden County Call Center handled over 3,500 calls during Hurricane Irma.

Curbside Collections provided more than 245,000 individual services in 2017 to customers in unincorporated Camden County.

The PSA's Off Our Rockers Senior Fitness Program attendance increased by over 30%. Additionally, new group fitness classes were added and the Summer Camp program was expanded.

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Ways to Keep in Touch

www.camdencountyga.gov

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Camden County JANUARY- District 1 Commissioner, Lannie Brant, District 3 Commissioner, Jimmy Starline, and District 5 Commissioner, Ben Casey were sworn-in to four year terms on the Camden County Board of Commissioners.

FEBRUARY- The Board of Commissioners adopted the 2017 Action Agenda for the County's Strategic Plan and released the 2016 Annual Report.

FEBRUARY- Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land (STPAL) donated 296.23 acres to Camden County for the creation of a passive park in Kingsland.

MARCH- Land clearing began on the Kingsland Bypass Phase I project, widening Colerain Road. Phase I should be completed in 2019.

APRIL- Camden County improves to a Class 6 in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS), estimated to save residents of unincorporated Camden County $145,845 annually.

MAY- The National Association of Counties (NACo) awarded Camden County a Best in Category Award and three National Achievement Awards.

JUNE- 23 local citizens graduated from Camden County's Citizens' Academy, learning about the different county government programs and duties.

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Milestones JULY- Sparky the Fire Dog joined Camden County Fire Rescue with the help of a grant from the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation (GFBF). Grant funding also purchased smoke detectors to be supplied to area residents in need.

AUGUST- Camden County received a $250,000 FY 2018 Federal Off-System Safety Project grant to provide safety improvements including re-striping and signage on 53.29 miles of county roads.

SEPTEMBER- Camden County declared a Local State of Emergency during Hurricane Irma. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration and Camden County residents were designated for Individual Assistance.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER- FEMA opened and staffed a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to provide in-person assistance to residents affected by Hurricane Irma.

OCTOBER- The Coastal Regional Commission (CRC) and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) through the Coastal Georgia Greenway funding, provided a $18,600 grant for Phase I of the Gum Branch Preserve Trail.

NOVEMBER- Camden County co-hosted a Flood Zone Town Hall Meeting to discuss new flood plain maps, flooding in our area, and insurance concerns.

DECEMBER- 38 employees, comprising 410 years of service, were honored for achieving a 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35 year milestone in 2017. Additionally, the Camden County Public Works Department and Captain Lisa Boyett of Camden County Fire Rescue were recognized as being Shining Stars.

www.camdencountyga.gov

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Spaceport Camden Milestones FEBRUARY-The Georgia House and Senate passed HB 1 and SB 46, respectively, sending the Georgia Space Flight Act to Governor Nathan Deal for his signature.

MARCH-Camden County welcomed Vector Space Systems, a nanosatellite launch company, to the future site of Spaceport Camden to conduct an initial set of ground operations.

APRIL-Former Deputy Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and Commander of the U.S. Pacific Submarine Fleet, Vice Admiral Al Konetzni, United States Navy (ret.) joined the Spaceport Camden Steering Committee.

MAY-Governor Nathan Deal signed the Georgia Space Flight Act, limiting the liability of space flight operators launching tourists into space. This legislation allows Georgia to be a competitive player in the commercial space industry.

JUNE-President Trump revives the National Space Council, reinvigorating America's role as a leader in space.

AUGUST-Vector successfully launches first ever rocket from the Spaceport Camden site. This suborbital, test launch marks the first rocket launch on the site, once used by NASA in the 1960's for ground-based static fire testing of large solid rocket motors. This was also the first rocket launched in the State of Georgia in the 21st Century.

AUGUST-Georgia Southern University's Bureau of Business Research and Economic Development released an economic assessment of Spaceport Camden showing more than $22 million in annual economic activity could be generated by Spaceport Camden.

OCTOBER-Camden County Administrator and Spaceport Camden project lead, Steve Howard, was invited to the first meeting of the White House National Space Council.

OCTOBER-Major General Robert S. Dickman, United States Air Force (ret.), former Commander of the 45th Space Wing and Director of the Eastern Range at Cape Canaveral, Florida, joined the Spaceport Camden Steering Committee.

NOVEMBER-Camden County released a report finding that a Spaceport Camden Innovation and Research Park will lead to expanded job growth and investment benefits for Camden County residents.

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Vector Launch-August 3, 2017

www.spaceportcamden.us

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MISSION To deliver Defined County Services with Exceptional Customer Service in a Financially Sustainable and Transparent Manner.

Camden County 2032 is the premier coastal community of Georgia - Beautiful and Safe.

Camden County 2032 has a strong regional economy and diverse job opportunities with four major pillars: ● An active Naval Submarine Base ● A Successful World-Class Spaceprt ● Sports Tourism ● A Technology Cooridor

Camden County 2032 has relaxed living with quality residential developments and abundant leisure choices for all.

200 East 4th Street ● P.O. Box 99 ● Woodbine, Georgia 31569 ● 912-576-5601 www.camdencountyga.gov