The Fannin County Board of Commissioners voted to hire Bates, Carter & Company to perform the county’s annual audit for $55,000 during a meeting Tuesday, December 10.
Three other proposals for auditing services were received by the board. They were: Rushton & Associates for $57,900, Nichols, Colley & Associates for $49,500 and R.L. Jennings for $45,000.
The board agreed not to use Rushton & Associates or R.L. Jennings because they had worked with the county in the past. Post One Commissioner Earl Johnson said, “I don’t think it would be a bad idea to bring in someone reputable but has never had a relationship here just for clarity for everyone.”
Chairman Stan Helton felt Bates, Carter & Company had the most experience with counties similar to Fannin County. He said, “I think an auditing firm that’s had experience with other counties, and you can see on Bates & Carter on page 11, they list they’re engagements with other counties around us and they’ve got some pretty good experience. I think in most cases we try to, if every thing’s all equal, look at the lowest price, but I think when you’re looking at an audit sometimes cheaper may not always be better.”
In other action, the board voted to renew the Detention Center’s healthcare contract with Southern Health Partners.
“It’s awful handy having our own nurse in our own jail and they can run med calls every day,” Sheriff Dane Kirby said. “Every inmate that comes into our jail, within 40 hours they’re seen by a nurse and got an evaluation baseline to start with. Works out pretty good. That’s one of our biggest liability areas we have in our jail, is our medical.”
Recreation Director Eddie O’Neal asked the board to allow him to spend no more than $16,000 on security cameras for both Tammen Park and Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park and a security gate for Horseshoe Bend Park.
Johnson said, “I don’t see how we can not go ahead with it because Horseshoe Bend is secluded and dark. I think it needs as much attention as Tom Boyd.”
The board unanimously agreed to fund the project, which will come from SPLOST funds.
The board also voted to approve an Alcoholic Beverage License for the Cider House and cancel their regular December 24 meeting.