COVID-19 Cases In NE Health District Drop For Fifth Week; Confirmed Deaths From Disease Down As Well

***Clarke Again Reports Two Deaths From Disease***

The Georgia Department of Public Health reported four new confirmed deaths from COVID-19 in the Northeast Health District in its report on Wednesday, including two in Clarke County.

The Department of Public Health reported eight confirmed deaths from the disease in the Northeast Health District on Wednesday of last week, and seven the week before that.

The Department of Public Health also reported that the Northeast Health District added 384 new cases of COVID-19 in the week ending on Feb. 1, based on the Department’s electronic tracking system.

Oconee County Sales Tax Revenue Increase Contributes To Budget Surplus, Resulting In Mid-Year Budget Amendments

***Monies Allocated For Heritage Park***

Oconee County received just less than $1.1 million in Local Option Sales Tax in December, the first time the monthly collection has exceeded the $1 million mark.

The increase in collections, attributed to the November opening of Costco, played a role at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday night as the Board gave tentative approval to Fiscal Year 2023 Mid-Year Budget Amendments for $1.8 million.

Traffic Engineer Says County Should Not Allow Full Access Intersection On Oconee Connector For Proposed Shopping Center

***Also Recommends Roundabout On Mars Hill Road***

Based on current guidelines from the Georgia Department of Transportation and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, a full access intersection from the Oconee Connector should not be allowed for the proposed shopping center at the Connector and Mars Hill Road.

The intersection of the Oconee Connector and SR 316 already has crash rates and injury crash rates significantly higher than the statewide average.

As a result, a full-access intersection would work against the county’s desire to maintain long-term safe and efficient traffic operation on the Oconee Connector.

A roundabout is needed at the proposed full-access entrance to the shopping center off Mars Hill Road.

Legislation To Increase Oconee County Homestead Exemption Awaits Drafting In Legislative Counsel, County Chair Says

***Legislative Delegates Have Not Responded***

Although Oconee County’s three state legislators have been unwilling to confirm, the Board of Commissioner’s request for legislation to increase the county’s property tax homestead exemption is in the queue with the General Assembly’s Legislative Counsel, Board Chair John Daniell said on Friday.

County Attorney Daniel Haygood also said on Friday that he was aware that the request had been submitted to Legislative Counsel, but he had not yet heard from Counsel.

Owner Of Land For Proposed Oconee Crossing Shopping Center Asks Court To Set Aside County’s Denial Of Rezone Request

***Claims Rights From 1990 Rezone***

Donald Hammett, contending that the Oconee County Board of Commissioners ignored his “vested rights” in the nearly 43 acres he wants to develop as Oconee Crossing Shopping Center, has filed suit to overturn the county’s denial of his rezone request.

Hammett said that he obtained his “vested rights” to develop the property as it was rezoned in 1990 when he purchased the property on the southeast corner of U.S. 78 and Hog Mountain Road in 2005.

COVID-19 Cases In NE Health District Drop For Fourth Week; Eight Confirmed Deaths From Disease Reported

***Two Of Confirmed Deaths From Disease In Clarke***

The Georgia Department of Public Health reported eight new confirmed deaths from COVID-19 in the Northeast Health District in its report on Wednesday, including two in Clarke County.

The Department of Public Health reported seven confirmed deaths from the disease in the Northeast Health District on Wednesday of last week, and seven the week before that.

Oconee Commissioners To Seek Citizen Comment On Preliminary Multi-Use Trails Master Plan

***Date For Input Still To Be Set***

Oconee County citizens will get a chance in the coming months to comment on preliminary plans for a multi-use trail system for the county that could be funded in part with money from the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax approved by voters in November.

The centerpiece of the plan is what is termed the Main Loop that would wind around the northern part of the county, connecting Hog Mountain Road, Malcom Bridge Road, Rocky Branch Road, Mars Hill Road, and Daniells Bridge Road.