Hart Co Commissioner Carter Asks for Better Tracking of Repair Projects

Hart County Commissioners have approved a repair to the County Courthouse Annex roof at a cost of $15,795.

The board voted Tuesday night to approve the price, which includes a two-year warranty.

The roof repair issue came up suddenly in the middle of the county’s fiscal year and the County was not prepared for the extra expense.

Commissioner Ricky Carter noted county staff needs to do a better job of tracking repair projects on county properties.  He said that would help when the board begins work on their FY16 budget.

“One of the things we need to look at is the building of a plan or list of our building needs,” Carter said. “It should also be done with our vehicle needs. We need to know this before we start our budget plan.”

County administrator Jon Caime said advanced planning is good, but there are areas where advanced planning is not necessary.

“As far as building needs go, if something does arise, we will discuss it and put it in the budget,” Caime said. “As for more advanced planning, there are things that have a finite lives, like HVAC. As for our vehicles, we run them into the ground. An HVAC unit normally has a 15-life and we’re going to keep it going until dies.”

But Carter said it’s there comes a time when constant repairs becomes a system of diminishing returns.

“At some point in time, you’re going to be spending more money to keep it going than to get it new,” Carter said. “We need to look at issues when we repair these buildings to make then as low maintenance as possible.”

Caime said county staff does look county property and keeps tabs on when they get to a state of repair.

After more discussion, no vote was taken, but Carter asked that the Board continue the discussion with County staff in the future.