Oconee County Senator Told Small Gathering Of Republicans Why He Voted For A Tax Increase

Other Issues Discussed

Sen. Bill Cowsert told a small group of Oconee County Republicans earlier this month that he voted in favor of the tax increases for transportation in March because the bill gave legislators more control over the Georgia Department of Transportation and “capped” the fuel tax–something the tax bill does only in part.

Cowsert also defended the $5 per night fee added to hotel and other lodging bills as part of the transportation act on the grounds that most of those paying the fee will be from out of state.

Oconee County Releases Names Of Employees Who Resigned From Troubled Calls Creek Sewage Plant

EPD Visited Plant Today

Oconee County late today identified the two employees whose resignations were accepted in the wake of the discharge of inadequately treated sewage water into Calls Creek from a county wastewater treatment plant.

They are Gene Price, wastewater supervisor, and Anthony Occhipinti, maintenance supervisor.

Oconee County Issues Interior Permits For Three Building Shells In Epps Bridge Centre

Aug. 15 Completion

Oconee County has issued interior building permits for all three of the buildings currently under construction in the core of Epps Bridge Centre.

Shell only permits had been issued for the three buildings earlier this year, and construction on the structures–side-by-side and northwest of Marshalls–is in full swing.

Calls Creek Sewer Plant Problems Lead To Resignation Of Two Oconee County Utility Department Employees

Solids In Effluent

A month-long investigation of effluent from the county’s Calls Creek sewage plant outside Watkinsville became public last night when Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis reported that the county had received the resignation of two of the plant’s employees.

The county also released a six-page report by a consultant hired to review the operation of both of the country’s sewage treatment facilities.

Oconee County Budget Maintains Millage Rate, Increases Water And Sewer Costs

Budget Grows 8.7 Percent

Oconee County Finance Director Wes Geddings presented a $39.7 million budget to the public tonight that includes no increase in the county’s millage rate but does include a water rate increase of 1.5 percent and a sewer rate increase of 3 percent.

The budget is 8.7 percent greater than the current budget, and the extra revenue will come in part from an expected 6 to 10 percent increase in property values. Sales tax revenues also are projected to increase.

Oconee County Withholds Information On Budget Prior To Hearing On Tuesday

Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners released information Friday on the three applicants for the two openings on the county’s Farmland Preservation Ranking Committee and revealed that it had no applicants for the single opening on the Keep Oconee Beautiful Commission.

In preparation for its meeting tomorrow night, the Board identified James “J.R.” Charles as the finalist for appointment as the county’s economic development director.

A Small Truck Repair Facility Is Coming To Oconee County Because of Caterpillar, Developer Told Planning Commission

In Business Park

While no vendors have located in the property adjacent to the Caterpillar Plant on Atlanta Highway on the east side of Bogart, despite the expectation that they would do so, Mike Power told the Planning Commission on Monday night that a four-bay truck repair is coming to his business park because of Caterpillar.

Power’s development, called Mars Hill Business Park, is located on Mars Hill Road across from Malcom Bridge Road.