The Paper July 2, 2015 Edition

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CMYK Thursday, July 2, 2015

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Braselton Rotary Club celebrates year. 3B

SPLOST 6 referendum explored by BOC By LEANNE AKIN

lakin@clickthepaper.com

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners is already looking ahead to the possibility of a 2016 referendum date to put provide for the seamless transition to a new Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax collection. The current SPLOST program expires June 30, 2017, and the latest date to hold a SPLOST election and have the existing SPLOST transfer without interruption into a new SPLOST program would be the Nov. 8, 2016 general election. County Manager Kevin Poe provided a timeline of options for the commissioners to examine related to SPLOST 6 during their June 24 retreat held at the county’s fire training center. An initial proposal for SPLOST 6 projects includes $19.5 million for county endeavors after $20 million is designated as a Tier 1 priority to assist in continued paydown of

Jackson chairman asks for change in funding source on West Jackson EMS station with work already under way on Commerce EMS station the county’s bonded indebtedness which is projected to be 24 percent of general fund revenues in 2016 and 23 percent of those revenues in both 2017 and 2018. Principal and interest to be paid by Jackson County will be as high as $12 million in 2021-2024, according to projections shared with commissioners at the retreat. Finance Director Logan Propes and Poe presented a financial and fiscal overview which yielded a sobering reality that would be have even worst if not for refunding of some debt. Those actions mean reduced payments, however, the general fund and other fund debt and intergovernmental debt will total nearly $14 million for Fiscal Year 2015.

Braselton to show its patriotism Saturday

Festival and parade on tap for 4th celebration By LEANNE AKIN

lakin@clickthepaper.com

Get ready for a red, white and blue patriotic good time on Saturday as the Town of Braselton hosts Fourth of July happenings. A festival will be held in Braselton Park from 4 -9 p.m. with Moby Dick, the featured band, performing from 6-9 p.m. “There will be food vendors along with folks selling items and giving out information,” says downtown director Amy Pinnell. “The town will host a tent in the center of the park with giveaways.” Twenty-three vendors will fill the park with food and fun. Shore Good Foods will offer Italian sausage, barbecue and hot dogs and Lazy Goat Produce will be selling salsas, jams and jellies, according to Chelsea Mason, who is coordinating the festival setup. To cool things down and sweeten things up, Rowe’s Concession will have shaved ice and Sweet Ladies Bakery will also be in the park. “There will be tons going on,” said Mason. Inflatables and rides on a tiny train will keep the children entertained. That Soap Place will be selling soaps and lotions while J&J Woodworks will be offering folk art painted pieces as well as wooden bowls and other items. You can get some bling wear from Adorn.

In addition to a budget update, the commissioners also got a Fiscal Year 2015 audit update from Beth Grimes of Bates, Carter & Company, the county’s CPA firm. She summmarized the audit with a recommendation to continue very conservative revenue budgeting and keep tight controls on spending. Upping the fund balance was also discussed. With two other possible dates for a 2016 referendum and participation of municipalities in the process to come up with a collection formula – either using the population method or established through an intergovernmental agreement – needed, Poe noted a list of projects and official resolution calling for the SPLOST election would have to be approved

by Feb. 25, 2016 should a May 24, 2016 election – to be held with the General Primary – be desired. A Jan. 14, 2016 start for the SPLOST 6 process would be necessary if the decision is made to pursue a referendum with the March 1, 2016 Presidential Primary. If the general election is the target for the vote, the process would be under way by July 1, 2016. There was discussion about an earlier date should the voters initially reject the referendum. The law will be explored to determine if a waiting period is required before returning to the voters. Jackson County voters approved the current SPLOST 5 which included funding for debt service, satellite EMS facilities, a series of parks and recreation projects, roads and bridges projects. The West Jackson EMS station has been completed and work is under

See REFERENDUM, 3A

LET FREEDOM RING The annual Freedom Festival in downtown Jefferson attracted thousands to look skyward Saturday night as fireworks filled the skies over the area. After a late afternoon of food, fun and music, Freedom Festival-goers and others from around the area were entertained by the beauty of a brillant sunset and, after the skies grew dark, they were illuminated by fireworks. See more on Page 7A.

See BRASELTON, 7A

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

Probate offices were ready for 5-4 Supreme Court decision By The Paper and regional staffers No longer is a bride and a groom making application for a marriage license in Georgia now Applicant 1 and Applicant 2 will be applying. Zac Taylor Regional staff

Winder residents Stephanie Spaeth and Mary Simoneaux went June 26 to Barrow County Probate Court with their two children, Jason and Mariya, to make application for the first ever marriage certificate given to a same-sex couple in Barrow.

INSIDE Church Entertainment Events Features Forum

5A 6B 5B 3B 6A

Volume 9, Number 34 Obituaries 4A Pastor’s Pen 5A Police report 5A Puzzles 6B Sports 1-2B

Georgia probate judges have been preparing for the possibility that same-sex marriage could be on the horizon if the U.S. Supreme Court ruled as it was announced last Friday morning. With same-sex unions ruled legal nationwide, the proactive action of the Council of Probate Judges of Georgia finds that marriage applications have already been revised statewide to reflect “Applicant 1” and “Applicant 2” rather than “Groom” and “Bride,” as previously designed, according to Jackson County Probate Judge Sherry Moore. She said the state is very fortunate to have such a great council

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which ensured statewide that Georgia probate offices were prepared to uphold the law. “We take this very seriously,” said Moore of the oath she and other probate judges took when they were elected. Probate court offices across Georgia were ready within a short time after the June 26 announcement of the court decision to begin using the revised application. With software vendor assistance, websites were soon updated with the new application forms. “It flowed quickly,” said Moore.

See DECISION, 3A

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