A 15 minute meeting of the Fannin County Board of Commissioners turned into nearly an hour long affair once public commentary got started June 9.
A young girl who identified herself as a minor spoke regarding Hooves and Feathers Petting Farm in Morganton.
The farm has been the topic of public commentary several times, with citizens claiming animals are being neglected. There have also been court hearings on the matter.
“There’s been multiple times where multiple things could have happened,” the girl said, giving examples of encounters with a bull and dogs.
County Attorney Lynn Doss was confronted by the girl’s mother for not paying attention and texting while the girl spoke.
Julie Wooten also spoke on the issue with the farm and with animal neglect and abuse throughout the county. Wooten also addressed Doss for not paying attention when the girl spoke.
“Well I understand the livestock being thrown out. It’s not in the county ordinance,” Wooten said, “but when our county sheriff doesn’t know how to write a warrant, and then it’s all thrown out of Superior Court, tell me something doesn’t look fishy with that.”
Chairman Jamie Hensley said they don’t have the authority to tell a judge what to rule.
Commissioner Johnny Scearce said he went to the property and it “was nasty.”
“I’ll tell you this much,” Scearce said, “once this problem is solved, we’re working where we’ll never have this problem again.”
Kristy Guarnieri spoke of her dissatisfaction with the magistrate judge ruling in a suit against the farm.
Jan Eaton said, “If everybody along these steps had done their jobs, we wouldn’t be here.”
A resolution requesting that commissioners introduce to voters a state local homestead option sales tax was passed.
Doss said, “Rather than paying for worthy things that our tax dollars pay for through property taxes, they could be paid through an additional penny sales tax much like our SPLOST does now.”
She added, “This sales tax, if approved, can only be used to lower property taxes.”
While the legislation is still in the works, and details are fluid, Doss said, “It [resolution] doesn’t commit you to anything. It keeps options open.”
Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Trent Lowery told the board that they need to replace the firewall for the courthouse’s internet network as the current service is at its end.
The commissioners approved the software purchase, which protects the courthouse’s data from being hacked.
The cost of the protection is $9,890.87, which includes a three-year service fee.
Lisa Doherty was appointed to serve a three-year term on the Library Board. She is taking Nick Wimberly’s spot.
Additionally, Hensley asked that the June 23 meeting be canceled as he will be out of town for that entire week. His request was approved unanimously.