Henry County 411 Newsletter with Chair Carlotta Harrell

HENRYCOUNTY411

1st QUARTER 2022

WITH CHAIR CARLOTTA HARRELL

charrell@ co.henry.ga.us henrycounty-ga.com/ chair

SOUTH METRO DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK (SMDO) Henry County Chairwoman Carlotta Harrell spoke during a roundtable discussion at the March 29, 2022 South Metro Development Outlook conference to discuss Leading with Intention: Navigating the Challenges through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Harrell highlighted the dedicated work of county commissioners, leadership and staff, and stressed the successful collaboration and partnership with the county’s cities, the Board of Education, the Department of Public Health, the State and Federal governments, and especially Piedmont Henry Hospital.

INAUGURAL VETERANS ROUNDTABLE Henry County Commission Chair Carlotta Harrell participated in the Inaugural Veterans Roundtable Leadership Summit hosted by MSG Patricia Baisden, President and VP of Operations of Southern Crescent Veteran Services. District IV Commissioner and Vice Chair Vivian Thomas was also in attendance.

Harrell outlined county initiatives to assist and reduce the veteran homeless population within the county and opened the floor for questions. Several other veteran organizations were also present.

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Chair Carlotta Harrell and Henry County Government Show Love and Support for Public Safety and Firefighters Henry County showed its appreciation to our Public Safety departments with a thank you lunch. Chair Carlotta Harrell delivered sandwiches to

Henry County fire stations and provided a drop in lunch at Heritage Park for the various public safety shifts.

Henry County BOC Approve 8.5 Percent Pay Raise for County Employees

The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved an 8.5 percent across-the-board increase for most county employees at the March 1, 2022 Commission meeting. The increase will be applied retroactively to December 1, 2021.

Human Resources Director Harold Cooper and Financial Services Director David Smith made the presentation to the Board, detailing the research and analysis that went into the resolution to approve the raise.

Cooper cited the increase in inflation and said that if employees don’t receive a minimum of 5.4 percent, the counting inflation, they are taking a pay cut. He also noted the urgency of Henry County’s recruitment situation, reporting that over the past 55 business days when this increase was first discussed, Henry County has lost 78 employees, and of that number 61 due to resignation.

“We’ve lost 78 employees in 55 days, with 61 due to resignations. We must act,” implored Cooper.

He said the raise is sustainable and will not result in a millage increase to taxpayers. It is also an important tool for recruitment and retention, as the county is competing with surrounding cities, counties and businesses

to hire and retain quality employees.

This was the third time the resolution to compensate employees came before Commissioners, initially beginning the discussion this past December.

Commission Chair Carlotta Harrell, who advocated for a 10.5 percent increase said that this is an important action the BOC needs to take.

“We’ve got to act today. Employees deserve a raise. We must remain competitive.

We need to stop the bleed and we need to do the right thing as commissioners,” said Harrell.

The original motion made by Harrell for a 10.5 percent increase failed to receive a ma jority approval. District IV Commissioner Vivian Thomas made a motion for 7 percent which also failed a ma jority vote. The unanimous vote came after much discussion and when District I Commissioner Johnny Wilson made a motion to split the difference and approve an 8.5 percent across the board increase for employees.

To view Commission meetings in their entirety, please visit Henry County Government on You Tube or Facebook.

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HENRYCOUNTY411

APRIL 2022 Chair Carlotta Harrell presented State Senator Emanuel Jones with a proclamation honoring the 30th anniversary of Legacy Ford and its longstanding commitment to the Henry

County community this afternoon.

Harrell was joined by District I Commissioner Johnny Wilson, Sheriff Reginald Scandrett, and Stockbridge Mayor Anthony Ford.

Henry County Cuts Ribbon on Airport FBO

Henry County celebrated the longawaited opening of its new FBO/Terminal Building at the Atlanta Speedway Airport on March 17 with a ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration.

District II Commissioner Dee Clemmons, Chair Carlotta Harrell, District I Commissioner Johnny Wilson, District III Commissioner Dee Anglyn, and District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes were in attendance, along with staff, leaders, city officials and residents to celebrate the grand opening of the new facility.

Harrell welcomed those in attendance.

“Welcome everyone. What a great crowd we have here this morning and what a wonderful day it is,” said Harrell. “I want to thank all of our staff, thank Commissioner Clemmons for her vision and hard work, and seeing this through, and all of our commissioners. I just want to thank each and every one of them for supporting this effort.”

District II Commissioner Dee Clemmons thanked all parties involved in the project, particularly Lynn Planchon, Capital Projects Director, and detailed the future vision for the airport.

“We’ve worked since 2017 and Commissioner Wilson and Commissioner Holmes, you all were on the board when I

came in 2017 as a new commissioner, they know I was gung ho about this airport and called all over the state of Georgia trying to figure out where we’re going to get money to make our airport better,” she said. “We went from cleaning up broken down airplanes to renewing leases. And some of our tenants are here today and I just want to thank those of you, those of you who’ve been around this airport forever, believed in this airport.

You all just don’t know how important this economic engine is in our county. This is the beginning.”

The new Field Base of Operations is an upgraded replacement for the original terminal building and offers a modern , comfortable 4,500 square foot facility that features a covered drop-off entrance, a large lobby area and service counter, a pilots’ lounge with 24/7 access, an outdoor covered patio, staff offices and restrooms.

Located at 474 Speedway Blvd in Hampton, the $2,324,756.74 project was made possible under the SPLOST IV initiative and construction was completed by J.R. Bowman Construction Co. of McDonough, GA; engineer was Croy Engineering, LLC of Marietta, GA; and The Howell Group Inc. of Marietta, GA was the architect.

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Henry County Opens Real Time Crime Center Henry County unveiled the Real Time Crime Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony earlier this month.

The Center will track active response calls throughout the county and allow for advanced detection, rapid communication, and efficient response.

It will also provide public safety officials with comprehensive intelligence to identify patterns to assist in fighting and even preventing crime.

County Manager Cheri HobsonMatthews said she is pleased with the service the new center will offer the citizens of Henry County.

“I am so pleased with what we are able to offer as another incentive in concierge service to our citizens. It is not only a benefit for our county facilities but for businesses, residents, and even the school system.” said Matthews

Deputy Chief of Police Mike Ireland recognized Chief of Police Mark Amerman for originally developing the idea of the center and thanked all parties involved with development in the Chief’s absence.

“Thank you to the chair, county manager, facilities maintenance for being a big help to make this happen. The Real Time Crime Center is the Chief’s baby and we’re glad the idea has come into fruition.”

Sergeant Glenn Turner detailed how citizens can get involved.

“Businesses as well as everyday citizens can register their camera, once the camera is added we will be able to see crimes in real time when reported.”

For more information on the Real Time Crime Center, visit co.henry.ga.us/ departments/public-safety-emergencyservices

Chair Carlotta Harrell Recognized as a Certified County Commissioner After several months of hard work and preparation, Chair Harrell became a Certified County Commissioner by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG).

Plans are currently being finalized regarding Harrell’s certificate presentation.

The Academy has been put on ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia for more than two decades to provide county officials with supplemental training and educational tools.

Every county official is provided with a tailormade learning experience that allows them to excel in specific areas of expertise. Harrell said this was an experience that will assist her in serving the county.

“I am pleased to share that I have been recognized through the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government and ACCG as a certified county commissioner. This will allow me to continue to serve and make Henry County a great place to live, work, and play,” said Harrell.

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Another Successful Weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway Shared by the Henry County Development Authority: We had a great visit along with our partners Henry County Board of Commissioners with Atlanta Motor Speedway GM Brandon Hutchison, Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith, and his leadership team. We

appreciate their continued investment and involvement in our community. AMS has been a ma jor economic engine for Henry County’s economy for over six decades and we look forward to many more years of this successful partnership. #choosehenry

Henry County Opens Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) The Real Time Crime Center will track active response calls throughout the county and allow for advanced detection, rapid communication, and efficient response.

It will also provide public safety officials with comprehensive intelligence to identify patterns to assist in fighting and even preventing crime.

This is accomplished with camera technology throughout the county and the ability for businesses and residents to be part of the camera registration program.

For more information on the Real Time Crime Center or to register a camera, visit https://henrycountypd.fususregistry.com/

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