County Citizen’s Gov’t Academy to be formed in lieu of citizen’s budget review

November 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment

During a recent workshop, county commissioners considered what level of citizen involvement in the budget review would be constructive while also providing a deeper knowledge of the county’s operations and budget process. The Budget Review Committee (BRC) is currently comprised of county employees appointed by County Manager William Wilson. While desiring citizen input, officials agreed […]

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Citizens must hold officials accountable for Comp Plan implementation

November 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The city of Griffin Comprehensive Plan, which will serve as an official guide for the next 20 years, has been completed, reviewed by the Three Rivers Regional Commissioner and is now pending approval of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Upon DCA approval, the plan will be presented to the […]

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County Commissioners vote to reduce own pay

November 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: True to their word, Spalding County commissioners on Monday unanimously voted to reduce their pay by .7692 percent. This is the same reduction in pay that county employees will experience in Fiscal Year 2014 as a consequence of a $1.4 million budget shortfall that resulted in two furlough days, a one-mill […]

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Griffin lowers yard waste fees

November 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment

STAFF REPORTS ::: The City of Griffin officially partners with Dependable Waste Services today for yard waste pick-up. With this change, the city lowered service costs from $7.35 to $6.15 per month.  Along with lowered cost, this partnership ensures regular, bi-weekly service. This change will be reflected on customer bills after the beginning of November. […]

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County manager: Past due taxes not crux of budget woes

October 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment

SHEILA MATHEWS ::: sheila@the-grip.net A number of local residents have publicly spoken out against the one-mill property tax increase approved Oct. 1 by the Spalding County Board of Commissioners, alleging that the hike would not be necessary if the collection of unpaid taxes – including those that remain outstanding due to several years’ backlog of Board […]

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$1.4 million collected in tax sales since July 1

October 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment

SHEILA MATHEWS ::: sheila@the-grip.net With nearly $4.75 million owed in unpaid property taxes through 2012, officials are making a concerted effort to move forward with tax sales to recoup monies owed in delinquent cases by conducting tax sales on the courthouse steps on a nearly-monthly basis. Significant progress has been made since the beginning of […]

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DA: Knife is both a tool and a weapon

October 28, 2013 by 4 Comments

SHEILA MATHEWS ::: sheila@the-grip.net Criminal cases against two local students charged with felonies after bringing knives to school will move forward through the Juvenile Court system. Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard said the students, a 12-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy — will appear before Judge Ben Miller, who will determine their fate […]

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‘Tossed aside’ county financial policies soon to be strengthened

October 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment

 SHEILA MATHEWS ::: sheila@the-grip.net Spalding County officials are nearing the completion of formal Financial Policies and Procedures, which one elected official says is long overdue. According to Spalding County Commissioner Raymond Ray, the county has never had such a thorough guideline as the forthcoming one will prove to be, but that what had been in […]

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Parents want recreation projects on SPLOST list

October 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment

JESSICA GREGORY ::: County commissioners spent the first hour of their regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 21 listening to parents, coaches and former coaches of swim and soccer teams lobbying for the May 2014 special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) referendum to include recreational projects. Though only seven spoke during the public comments session […]

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Officials regrouping on new airport plan

October 20, 2013 by Leave a Comment

SHEILA MATHEWS::: The Griffin-Spalding County Airport AIP (Airport Improvement Project) 29 – with a cost of approximately $200,000 – is underway, with necessary work on the beacon tower having been completed and only tree removal remaining. The cost to the city of Griffin and Spalding County was approximately $7,000. According to Airport Director Robert Mohl, […]

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Officials respond to “wish list” criticism; say SPLOST is necessary

October 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment

SHEILA MATHEWS ::: With an upcoming SPLOST referendum slated for the May 20 general primary ballot, Spalding County residents are speaking out in public meetings and on social media, expressing their opposition to elected officials use of SPLOST funds for nonessential projects. Both city and county officials alike are paying heed to their frustrations while […]

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Arsonist arrested and charged

October 11, 2013 by Leave a Comment

STAFF REPORTS::: Titus Sharrod Jones II, age 20, of 112 Kayla Court, Griffin, Georgia, was arrested and charged with 4 felony counts of Arson in the 3rd Degree. The arrest is a result of a joint investigation by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Division and the Spalding County Fire Marshall Captain Eddie James. […]

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City commissioners vote to decrease millage rate

October 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment

SHEILA MATHEWS ::: The Griffin Board of Commissioners on Tuesday evening approved a millage rate of 8.611, a decrease of .025 from the previous rate of 8.636. “We were able to drop the millage rate a few hundredths of a point. It’s not much, but every little bit helps,” said Griffin City Manager Kenny Smith, […]

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County officials set to finalize one-mill tax increase

September 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Spalding County officials on Thursday received from Tax Commissioner Sylvia Hollums the final numbers for the Fiscal Year 2014 tax digest, upon which the millage rate will be set. Following budget hearings that were at times contentious, county commissioners in late June set the FY 2014 budget based upon a one-mill […]

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Zero tolerance does not equal standard disciplinary measures

September 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Originally printed in the Sept. 12 edition of The Grip In light of the recent rash of weapons brought to school by students, many in the Griffin-Spalding community are wondering what the phrase “zero tolerance” actually means in terms of policy and procedure within the school system. Student handbooks define zero […]

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