COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S BRIEF OCTOBER • NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2023
Photo courtesy of Camden County Animal Control, featuring the No Cost Adoption program.
BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS
4 STRATEGIC PLANNING AND LEADERSHIP
6 EMPLOYEES
8 PUBLIC SAFETY
12 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
14 PUBLIC WORKS
16 ENTERPRISE FUNDS
19 DEPARTMENTAL HIGHLIGHTS
20 FINANCIALS
22 T-MOBILE HOMETOWN GRANT
24 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Strategic Plan 2023 Throughout 2023, the Camden County Board of Commissioners, in collaboration with the staff, actively worked on implementing policy and management agendas specified in the 2023-2028-2038 Strategic Plan. Additionally, staff made progress in bringing major projects and ongoing management initiatives closer to completion.
Learn more about the 2023-2028-2038 Strategic Plan on the Camden County website at: camdencountyga.gpv/StrategicPlan.
Goals 2023-2038 Financially Sound County Providing Exceptional Service and Value Grow the Local Economy Great Place to Live Manage Growth and Plan for Resiliency
Board of Commissioners District 1 Commissioner Lannie Brant, District 2 Commissioner Martin Turner, District 3 Commissioner Trevor Readdick, District 4 Commissioner Jim Goodman, District 5 Commissioner Ben Casey
The mission of Camden County Government is to deliver DEFINED COUNTY SERVICES with EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE in a FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE and TRANSPARENT MANNER.
Team Camden, I encourage you to spend a few moments reading through our latest County Administrator’s Brief. This quarterly publication aims to provide you with a glimpse into the activities of your county government. As you review the pages, kindly note the links that direct you to various sections on the Camden County website for additional details about our ongoing efforts. Sincerely,
Shawn M. Boatright, MPA, CPM
EMPOWERING EMPLOYEES
In November, the Camden County Board of Commissioners honored all county veterans. Featured in the image above are both staff veterans and veterans from our community. On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, a ceremony was held to acknowledge Camden County Employees for their years of service. Among the honorees were 40 employees who reached significant milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40 years of service in 2023. The event also revealed the recipients of the Employee of the Year and Department of the Year awards.
QUARTERLY ACHIEVEMENTS
Scott Van Osdol from Information Technology (IT) was recognized as Employee of the Quarter. Scott is pictured above with his wife Leigh, the Camden County Board of Commissioners, and staff. In December, the Employee Recognition Committee honored Tammy Dukes in Finance & Budget as the 2023 Employee of the Year. Tammy is pictured below left with family, members of the Board of Commissioner, and staff. Elections & Registration received the 2023 Department of the Year recognition. Representatives from Elections & Registration are pictured below right with, members of the Board of Commissioner, and staff.
PUBLIC SAFETY
FIRE RESCUE
1,070 EMS Patient Transports in 4th Quarter 2023
2 Actual Structure Fires in 4th Quarter 2023
Fire Calls by Month 200
150
EMS Assist Calls Actual Fires Actual Structure Fires
10
7
4
100
Chief Terry Smith was appointed by Governor Brian Kemp to serve as a member of the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council.
50
0
137
130
127
October
November
December
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Camden County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) returned to normal operating conditions following the end of the 2023 Hurricane Season on November 30, 2023. This was the first hurricane season utilizing Camden County’s new hurricane evacuation zones.
PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO SYSTEM During the final quarter of 2023, the construction of the new 300' Public Safety Radio System (PSRS) tower commenced near CCFR Headquarters on Gross Road in Kingsland. Testing is scheduled for the first quarter of 2024 as efforts persist in transitioning to digital radio frequencies. At Left: New 300' tower in the foreground with the existing 180' tower in the background
ANIMAL CONTROL Calls for Service by Month 200
148
150
148 cats have received services through the Trap-NeuterVaccinate-Return (TNVR) Program in 4th Quarter 2023.
100
130
188
147
50
0
October
TNVR is the most effective and humane method of controlling feral cat population growth. TNVR should not be used to create cat colonies but should instead be used as cat colony prevention, reducing overall numbers over time.
November December
Above: Some of these friendly faces were offered through our NO COST adoption program.
IIn the fourth quarter of 2023, Camden County Animal Control initiated the adoption process for dogs. Explore the current selection of dogs available for adoption on the Camden County Animal Control Facebook page. Camden County Facilities Maintenance is constructing new kennels for Camden County Animal Control to house dogs. The estimated completion is in the first quarter of 2024.
E 9 1 1
October
13,343
November
12,762
December
14,778 0
5,000
10,000
15,000
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT, CRS, CODE ENFORCEMENT, GIS
Residential Final Inspections
20 15 10 5 0
October
November
December
3 Focus Areas Camden County Code Enforcement is actively addressing three key areas to enhance beautification and ensure properties are in compliance.
Map Gallery Camden County GIS provides the public with access to digital and printable maps through the Camden County website.
Class 6 CRS Program provides a 20% discount to unincorporated Camden County residents on flood insurance.
Above: The Planning & Development team held discussions with students from Camden County High School's SkillsUSA class, providing insight into construction codes and opportunities within the field.
PUBLIC WORKS FLEET SERVICES, ROADS & BRIDGES, MOSQUITO CONTROL
Austin Hughes in Public Works recently earned his CDL Class A License with no restrictions. This was a great accomplishment.
2,500
Blade Miles of Road Graded
2,000
Additionally, all paved roads had a Pavement Index Condition assessment earlier in 2023 for the first time since 2019. This revised assessment will enable Public Works to continue analyzing and making data-driven decisions for road preservation and infrastructure improvements.
1,500 1,000 500 0
October
November
December
Brush Clearing Miles 5 4 3 2 1 0
During the final quarter of 2023, 15 roads covering a total of 15.77 miles underwent resurfacing and restriping across unincorporated Camden County as part of the annual infrastructure resurfacing projects.
October
November
December
ENTERPRISE FUNDS CURBSIDE COLLECTIONS, SOLID WASTE, TWO RIVERS GUN RANGE
CURBSIDE COLLECTION
Starting July 1, 2022, Meridian Waste, the new curbside collection contractor, began collections for unincorporated residents. Since then, customer complaints related to waste collection issues have significantly decreased compared to the previous waste provider. In the fourth quarter of 2023, only five (5) complaints were received.
Curbside Customer Complaints 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0
October
November
December
Combined Tonnage at MSW and C&D
SOLID WASTE
25,000 20,000
Camden County's landfills cater to the disposal needs of municipal solid waste (MSW), as well as construction and demolition (C&D) and industrial waste. The Solid Waste department is working towards an expansion of the MSW Landfill. During the final quarter of 2023, the Camden County Board of Commissioners approved the pursuit of a loan from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority. A decision is expected in the first quarter of 2024. 4th Quarter Fees by Location C&D Fees $293,006.31
15,000 10,000 5,000 0
October
November
December
Combined Fees at MSW and C&D $500,000 $400,000 $300,000 $200,000 $100,000 $0
MSW Fees $791,120.56
October
November
December
Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed Monday Two Rivers Gun Range has a 10% off discount on guest passes for members and 10% off day passes for non-members for certain groups on specific days.
“Awesome range and Awesome staff! All employees willing to help sight in your rig to help you have the most accurate time!“ - Google Review
Guest Passes Sold
Tuesday - Ladies Day • Wednesday - Senior Citizens Day (Ages 55+) Thursday - First Responder Day* • Friday - Military Day* *Active or retired with credentials 1006 GA Hwy 110 1 Mile North of the GA 110 and GA 40 Intersection 912-510-4050 camdencountyga.gov/TwoRiversGunRange Member Guest Passes
October
99
649
November
84
709
December
100
729
0
200
400
Non-Member Day Passes
600
800
1,000
DEPARTMENTAL HIGHLIGHTS
Open Records Requests Camden County Clerk completed 48 Open Records Requests in the 4th quarter of 2023.
Hiring Policy Human Resources led efforts to enact a new hiring policy. This policy was approved in December 2023 by the Camden County Board of Commissioners.
Completed Work Orders Facilities Maintenance staff completed 209 work orders in the final quarter of 2023.
Registered Voters 35,434 active voters were registered with Elections & Registration in December 2023.
Polling Place Changes The Camden County Board of Elections & Registration has endorsed alterations to certain polling locations ahead of the 2024 Elections. These adjustments specifically affect Election Day voting, with no impact on Advance (Early) voting. Additional details can be found on the Camden County website.
FINANCIALS REVENUE
Hotel Motel Tax Revenue $14,000 $12,000 $10,000 $8,000 $6,000
Hotel Motel Tax collections for July-November 2023 total $49,653. Hotel Motel Tax, LOST, and SPLOST are all collected one month in arrears. Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) collections for JulyNovember 2023 total $2,703,523, and are at 45.6% of the FY 2024 budget.
$4,000 $2,000 $0
October
November
Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) Revenue $600,000
Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) VIII collections for July-November 2023 total $5,731,362, and are 47.8% of the FY 2024 Budget. SPLOST VII collections began on July 1, 2019, and will cease on June 30, 2025.
$500,000
Ad Valorem Tax collections as of the end of December 2023 total $3,452,940, 13.2% of the adopted FY 2024 budget. Throughout the months of February through November, the county typically does not collect a significant dollar amount on property taxes.
$200,000
Ad Valorem Tax Revenue
September
$400,000 $300,000
$100,000 $0
September
October
November
Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) VIII Revenue
$3,500,000
$1,200,000
$3,000,000
$1,000,000
$2,500,000
$800,000
$2,000,000 $600,000
$1,500,000 $400,000
$1,000,000 $200,000
$500,000 $0
$0
October
November
December
September
October
November
FINANCIALS FUND BALANCE Fund Balance is often referred to as “reserves” or “rainy day” funds, but is defined as the difference between revenues and expenditures of the general fund. At the start of FY 2024, Camden County’s beginning Fund Balance was $16,273,648, or 38.04% of the adopted FY 2024 budget.
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES General Fund expenditures totaled $21,971,562 for July - December 2023. This is 49.94% of the FY 2024 Budget. General Government includes, but is not limited to Board of Commissioners, Elections & Registration, Finance & Budget, Human Resources, Information Technology, Insurance, Tax Assessor, and Tax Commissioner. It is important to note insurances are more than 50% of the General Government total for any fiscal year.
Culture & Recreation 1.3%
Public Works 5.3%
Public Safety 42.2%
General Government (including insurance) 38.2%
Health & Welfare 1.7% Judicial 7.7%
Housing & Development 3.6%
T-MOBILE HOMETOWN GRANT
In December, the Camden County Board of Commissioners accepted a $50,000 Hometown Grant from T-Mobile for enhancements to Cornelia Jackson Memorial Park in Woodbine to include updated playground equipment.
Camden County Employees Participating in Pink Out Friday
Cybersecurity Month Proclamation
Holiday Door Decorating Contest
T-Mobile Hometown Grant Announcement
Operation Green Light for Veterans
Earnest Hamilton, 40 Years of Service
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S BRIEF OCTOBER • NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2023