In what became a three hour long plus final year ending meeting of Walker County’s first-ever term of Board of Commissioners, there were a few surprises along the way as departing Chairman Shannon Whitfield and District 4 Commissioner & Vice-Chair Robert Stultz said their respective goodbyes.
Also saying goodbye of sorts is Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson to a $5,850 annual county supplement to his pay. Sheriff Wilson says he was surprised by the motion for the county to rescind the supplement, with no advance notice it would be on the commission agenda.
Walker District 3 Commissioner Brian Hart noted Sheriff Wilson’s near six percent annual raise in salary due to the state’s cost of living adjustment for employees, coupled with a longevity clause due to Wilson’s recent re-election. Hart says if Commissioners included the supplement as they had previously, it would reflect a near ten percent raise from the previous year for the sheriff.
Sheriff Wilson responded to Hart’s explanation to the proposed supplement cut that “it’s not so much about the money but the way in which it was handled. It doesn’t make me feel good,” admitted Wilson.
Sheriff Wilson’s critique was one that would be repeated during Thursday night’s public comment segment, with many citizens praising Chairman Whitfield for his financial stewardship yet criticizing him and the board for a perceived lack of transparency.
The transparency complaint again reared up in public discussion as Commissioners considered amending the county’s enabling act, in order to cut back from two mandated meetings monthly to a single, monthly meeting schedule for 2025.
Many citizens chided commissioners for considering limiting public participation times, while coinciding with the singular commission meeting proposal.
The resolution was approved with Commissioner Brian Hart abstaining from a unanimous vote.
Tabled for a later date to decide was a proposed change to the county’s animal code, which would require dog and cat owners to spay or neuter their pet. Dogs older than six months would be required to be surgically altered or castrated; the same would apply to felines four months and older.
District 2 Commissioner Mark Askew says he knows “we have a dog problem, but I don’t like this government overreach,” in motioning to table the amendment for the next commission, which was approved by a unanimous vote.
One thing all commissioners agree upon is Walker County’s Community Connectivity Program, which strives to make every resident of Walker County have accessibility to broadband internet.
Shannon Millsaps from the Thrive Regional Partnership says Walker and Whitfield County are number two and three respectively in the state of Georgia for having a Community Connectivity of Plan. Millsaps says counties with such plans will be first in line for federal grants to extend internet access. Only the Atlanta area suburb Clayton County is ahead of Walker and Whitfield County in CCP preparation.
Currently, Millsaps says 16% of Walker County residents have no internet access and 40% of families earning $20,000 or less annually have no accessibility, despite ten internet service providers currently operating in Walker County.
Shortly after Millsaps’ presentation, the board voted to approve a Broadband Ready Community Standard amendment to the county’s utilities codes, with the Community Connectivity plan in mind.
In his departing address, Chairman Whitfield pointed to the Community Connectivity Plan as one that will help keep Walker County growing in the right direction. Whitfield was given a standing ovation by attendees at the meeting’s conclusion, saying he looks forward to seeing Walker County continue to be one of the best places to live and raise a family.
By Vince Lennon Updated 12-21-24
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