FINANCE OFFICER KATHY MATTHEWS PRESENTED THE PROPOSED BUDGET TO THE THOMASTON-UPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION MAY 26.

General Fund Budget Presentation

May 26, 2015

We are proposing a $33.3 million general fund budget for the 2015-2016 school year. This budget reflects an increase of $400 thousand dollars from the FY15 budget. Revenues are increasing $52 thousand dollars. We are proposing to go into the fund balance $1.6 million dollars. This budget reflects a 170 day instructional calendar for students.

The following assumptions were included in the proposed budget:

Revenue assumptions include a decrease in QBE funding of $1,800 dollars which includes an austerity reduction of $1.2 million dollars for our school district. While the Governor’s office did increase funding for education and we did see a decrease in austerity of $832 thousand dollars, our school district lost $519 thousand dollars in equalization funding and another $230 thousand in FTE money. Property tax revenue is budgeted at $8.8 million dollars at a mill rate of 15.38 mills. The value of 1 mill will generate approximately $588 thousand dollars. We are still expecting the tax commissioners’ office to collect 100% of the taxes billed based on historical trends.

The employer portion of the TRS rate will be increasing to 14.28%, the health insurance employer cost for certified employees will remain the same at $11,340 annually for certified employees. We are uncertain about the rate for support personnel. We budgeted an increase of $150 per month for an annual rate of $8,954 annually, however we received word in early May that the rate increase will not take effect until January, 2016. At this time, we are unsure if the rate increase will remain at $150 per month for the remaining 6 months or if the rate increase will be more. By leaving the amount in the budget for the full year, we are hoping the impact of any increases will not be more than what is budgeted.

The remaining budget gap will be covered by using reserves. I am projecting ending the fiscal year with a fund balance of $5.4 million.

Where will the 2016 general fund revenues come from?

Our revenues come from two main sources. QBE and tax revenues. QBE revenues of $21.6 million account for 68% of the revenue while local tax revenue of $8.8 million account for 28% and the remaining $1.3 million or 4 % comes from other state and local sources for a grand total of $31.7 million in revenues.

How will the proposed $33.3 million be spent?

Instruction $22.0 million or 66%

Pupil Services $1.1 million or 3%

Improvement of Instructional Services $511 thousand or 2%

Educational Media $537 thousand or 2%

General Administration $707 thousand or 2%

School Administration $2.4 million or 7%

Business Support Services $244 thousand or 1%

Maintenance and Operations $2.9 million or 9%

Student Transportation Services $2.3 million or 7%

Central Support Services $166 thousand or 1%

Other Support Services $129 thousand less than 1%

Other Uses $110 thousand less than 1%

Ninety percent of the budget or $29.4 million is for salaries and benefits. There are 261 budgeted teaching positions. While it may appear we are increasing salaries, this budget reflects 3 less teaching positions. Those positions previously paid with the GEAR have been included in this budget. Also, for the other positions added, we are looking at the Title grants to see what positions can be shifted from the general fund budget to Title. The remaining 10% or $3.9 million is other operational expenses. $1.6 million of the $3.9 million is used for fuel to transport our students and utilities for the facilities.

The detailed budget by function has been provided for your review.

Are there any questions on the proposed tentative budget?

THE SON OF A HOME INVASION VICTIM ARRESTED IN THE CASE.

ACCORDING  TO  UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE,  THE  SON  OF  THE  FEMALE  VICTIM  OF  A  HOME  INVASION/ROBBERY  ON  APRIL  13TH  ON  TRICE  CEMETERY  ROAD,  AND  WHAT  APPEARED  TO  BE  ANOTHER  ATTEMPT  ON  MAY  13TH,  HAS  BEEN ARRESTED.

JERRY C. HARBIN,  AGE  54  OF  HENRY COUNTY  HAS  BEEN  CHARGED  WITH  CONSPIRACY  IN  THE  CASE.   HARBIN’S  MOTHER  IS  ONE  OF  THE  VICTIM’S  IN  THE  CASE,  SHE  IS  MARRIED  TO  A  HENRY  COUNTY  BUSINESSMAN

CITY OF THOMASTON OWNS NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY PROPERTY, AGAIN

YEARS  AGO  THE  CITY  OF  THOMASTON  DONATED  THE  LAND  THE  ARMORY IS  BUILT ON AND  THE  LATE  COUNCILMAN  ED  BELL  WORKED  TO  GET  IT  RETURNED  AFTER IT  CLOSED.  AT  TUESDAY’S  MEETING , CITY  MANAGER PATRICK  COMISKEY  SAID CITY  HALL  WILL  PAY  $16,700  TO  THE  STATE  FOR  A   ROOF  JOB  SEVERAL  YEARS  AGO  AND  IT  WILL  BE  DEEDED  TO  THOMASTON.

FUTURE PLANS  FOR  THE  BUILDING   INCLUDE LOCATING  WATER AND  SEWER  DEPARTMENTS,  ELECTRICAL  DEPARTMENT  AND  OTHER  PERSONNEL  ACCORDING  TO  THE  MANAGER. IMPROVEMENTS  TO  THE  STREETS  TO  THE  VFW  CLUB  AND SOUTH  VIEW  CEMETERY  WILL  BE  A   PART  OF  THE  PROJECT.

VINTAGE AIRCRAFT MAKES A HARD LANDING IN PIKE COUNTY WEDNESDAY AM

ACCORDING  TO  PIKE  COUNTY  TIMES. COM  THE  PILOT  AND  PASSENGER  WERE  TRANSPORTED  TO  SPALDING  REGIONAL  HOSPITAL  AFTER  A  ROUGH LANDING AROUND  11;30AM  AT  CANDLER  FIELD.    THE  PLANE  LEFT  THE  RUNWAY, HIT  AN  EMBANKMENT, AND FLIPPED, BUT THE  OCCUPANTS  EXITED  THE PLANE O.K.

THOMASTON MAN SENTENCED TO ADDITIONAL PRISON TIME ON DRUG CASES IN MERIWETHER CO.

IN  MERIWETHER  COUNTY  SUPERIOR  COURT,  TUESDAY,   WILLIAM    BILL   KELLEY   ENTERED  GUILTY  PLEAS  TO  TWO  COUNTS,  POSSESSION  OF  METH  AND  COCAINE WITH INTENT  TO  DISTRIBUTE  AND  WAS  SENTENCED  TO  15  YEARS,  10  TO  SERVE  IN  PRISON,  5 ON PROBATION  PLUS  A    $7500  FINE.   HE ALSO  HAD  TO  FORFEIT  A  1999  JEEP AND  8  FIREARMS.

KELLEY  WAS  INDICTED  ON  THE  DRUG  CHARGES  MONDAY  BY  THE  MERIWETHER COUNTY  GRAND  JURY.

THIS  SENTENCE  IS  IN  ADDITION  TO  PRISON  TIME  FOR  DRUG  OFFENSES  IN  UPSON  COUNTY.  ON  MARCH  29TH  KELLEY  ENTERED  A  GUILTY  PLEA  IN  UPSON  SUPERIOR COURT  AND  WAS  SENTENCED  TO  20  YEARS,  10  TO  SERVE  IN  PRISON.

UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE  SAID  KELLEY  IS  NOW  IN  THE  STATE  PRISON  SYSTEM.

Acceptable Behavior Guidelines Upson-Lee High School Commencement Ceremony

Acceptable Behavior Guidelines

Upson-Lee High School Commencement Ceremony

As an invited guest to this private ceremony, the Upson-Lee High School Class of 2015 requests that you adhere to the following guidelines for acceptable behavior:

• During the presentation of diplomas, please do not applaud after each name is called. Family members may stand silently when your child’s name is called; there will be a time for applause after each row of names is called.

• No noisemakers allowed.

• No yelling or verbal outbursts during the ceremony.

• Turn off all cell phones.

• No unauthorized personnel will be allowed on the field or track during the ceremony.

• No tripods please; still cameras and video cameras should be held in your seats. Professional photos will be available to all graduates at a later date.

• Children should be supervised at all times.

• There will be a time for celebration upon completion of the commencement ceremony.

• The ceremony will begin promptly at 8:00 p.m. Please find your seat prior to this time and remain seated throughout the ceremony.

• NO reserved seating.

• No balloons.

• Please be courteous and remain seated until the end of the ceremony.

• Law enforcement officers have authority to issue citations to anyone violating disorderly conduct ordinance #62-10. The fine for this offense is $365.00 minimum.

May 13, 2015 two men were arrested in connection to a home invasion robbery that occurred one month earlier on Trice Cemetery Road in Upson County.

On Wednesday, May 13, 2015 two men were arrested in connection to a home invasion robbery that occurred one month earlier on Trice Cemetery Road in Upson County. The two men are identified as KASHIF ALI MOHAMMAD, 20, of Locust Grove and DAITRELLE LASHAUN SAFFO, 21, of College Park. Mohammad and Saffo were apprehended after attempting to commit a second home invasion at the same address on May 13. An Upson County Deputy Sheriff  was posted across from the victim's residence due to suspicious activity that had been reported in the area the day before. Deputy Mario Cromer was parked across the road from the victim’s residence around 8:30 a.m. when the victims opened their garage door for the morning.  As the victim’s garage door was opened, the two suspects ran from a wooded area near the edge of the driveway of the residence armed with handguns as they charged toward the female victim. The female victim was also armed with a handgun. The female victim fired twice at the suspects who then changed their direction of travel and  fled toward a wooded area behind the residence. The male resident, also armed with a  handgun, went onto the back porch of the residence and fired toward the suspects as they fled into the woods. Neither suspect was struck by the gunfire. Deputy Cromer approached the scene from his position across the street as the two suspects ran into the wooded area behind the victim's house. Deputy Cromer was able to ascertain the suspect's direction of travel and clothing description, which included "hoodie" type shirts, and give a description to other deputies. Sgt. Jeff Taylor and Sgt. Todd Murphy responded to the area and assisted in the search. Sgts. Taylor and Murphy located the suspects within minutes on Banks Road as they exited a wooded area and took them into custody.. Officers from the Department of Corrections K-9 Unit responded to assist with the search of the area. Department of Natural Resources Ranger Keith Page also responded with his search dog, Drake. Ranger Page and Drake were able to conduct a  search from the victim’s house, where one of the suspects lost a hat as they fled from the gunshots. Drake tracked the suspects route of travel from the victim's house directly to where the suspects were located on Banks Road. Drake located several items of evidence along the suspect’s path including duct tape, hoodies and two handguns. One of the handguns was positively identified as one of the guns stolen in the April 13 home invasion robbery. The GBI arrived and assisted with the investigation.

Mohammad and Saffo face numerous charges including Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, Theft By Taking Auto, Possession  of a Firearm while in the Commission of a Felony and Burglary. They are being held in the Upson County Jail.

I would like to thank all law enforcement officers and agencies who assisted with this investigation. I also want to recognize the efforts of Assistant D.A. Ben Coker who came to the scene and assisted with legal guidance. This has been a high priority case for our agency and I am pleased to announce these arrests. I am most thankful that the victims in this case are safe and these two dangerous criminals are off the street.

This investigation is ongoing and will continue.

Dan Kilgore, Sheriff

May 14, 2015

CITIZENS COMPLAIN TO UPSON BOC ABOUT PROPOSED PLAN TO REDUCE # VOTING PRECINCTS

AT  TUESDAY NIGHT’S MEETING,  COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  RUSTY  BLACKSTON  SAID  THE  FINAL  DECISION  IS  IN  THE   HANDS  OF  THE  BOARD OF  ELECTIONS  TO  DROP  THE  NUMBER  OF  PRECINCTS  FROM   9  TO  3. THE  BOARD ESTIMATES   IT    COULD  SAVE  THE  COUNTY   $20,000  ANNUALLY    ON  ELECTION  COSTS,  ESPECIALLY  NOW  WHEN UP  TO  50% OF  VOTERS  CAST  BALLOTS  IN  EARLY  VOTING.

SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR 9 BUSINESS BURGLARIES IN THOMASTON, UPSON CO.

SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE  SAID ALONZO  DEAN  WESTMORELAND OF  AVIATION DRIVE  LOT  36  HAS  BEEN  BOOKED  FOR  3  BURGLARIES  AT  PIGGLY  PARK  IN  MARCH  AND  APRIL  AND  BREAK-INS   AT  PEACHTREE  CAFE   JEFF  DAVIS ROAD,  JUSTIN’S  RESTAURANT  AND  CHINA TOWN  RESTAURANT,   19  NORTH , ON  TUESDAY  OF  THIS  WEEK.

LT. ANDREW  PIPPIN  OF  THE  THOMASTON  POLICE DEPARTMENT  SAID  WESTMORELAND WILL   ALSO  BE  CHARGED WITH  3  BURGLARIES  AT  LA  FIESTA  MEXICAN  RESTAURANT ON  19  NORTH,  IN  THE  CITY  OF  THOMASTON.

WESTMORELAND  IS  BEING  HELD  IN   THE  UPSON  COUNTY  JAIL.

THOMASTON POLICEMAN ARRESTED

ACCORDING  TO  UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE,  A  CITY   OF  THOMASTON    POLICE    OFFICER,  TRISTIN  BRAZIER,  AGE  23,   WAS  BOOKED  TUESDAY  FOR  ALLEGEDLY  SLAPPING HIS  ESTRANGED  WIFE  IN  THE  FACE.

OFFICER  BRAZIER  WAS PROCESSED  AT   THE  SHERIFF’S  DEPARTMENT  AND  POSTED  BOND ON   CHARGES  OF   BATTERY—FAMILY  VIOLENCE  AND  CRUELTY  TO  CHILDREN IN  THE  3RD  DEGREE.  A  MINOR  CHILD  WITNESSED  THE  INCIDENT, THE  SHERIFF  TOLD  US.

THOMASTON  CITY  MANAGER  PATRICK  COMISKEY  SAID  OFFICER  BRAZIER  HAS  BEEN  PLACED  ON  PAID  ADMINISTRATIVE  LEAVE  WITH  PAY.  HE’S  BEEN WITH  THE  DEPARTMENT FOR ABOUT  A  YEAR.

PEDESTRIAN HIT DOWNTOWN THOMASTON—THURSDAY AFTERNOON

ACCORDING  TO  THOMASTON  POLICE,  A MACON  WOMAN,  LAUREN  SIKORA ,  AGE 53 ,  WAS  TRANSPORTED  TO  THE  E.R.  BY  EMS  AFTER  SHE  WAS STRUCK  BY  A  MOTORIST,  TERESA  HOLLIS  OF  OLD  LIFSEY  SPRINGS  ROAD,  MOLENA. SHE  SUFFERED  NON-LIFE THREATENING  INJURIES.

EYEWITNESSES  TOLD   POLICE  MS.  SIKORA  TRIED  TO  CROSS  AT  EAST  GORDON  AND SOUTH  CENTER  ON  A  GREEN  SIGNAL AND  DID NOT  HAVE  THE  RIGHT OF  WAY.

IS THE UPSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE OUTDATED?

THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  HAVE  APROVED  A   $20,000  CONTRACT WITH  A  CONSULTANT  TO  REVIEW  THE  STATUS  OF  THE  COURTHOUSE   FOR  COURT  PROCEEDINGS.  DURING  A  WORK  SESSION  WEDNESDAY,  THE  COMMISSIONERS  SAID THERE  ARE  SECURITY  ISSUES,  SPACE  ISSUES  FOR  JURY  POOLS  AND  SOUND  PROBLEMS  IN  THE   COURTROOM.

PRECISION  PLANNING,  THE  COMPANY  THAT  WAS  INVOLVED  IN  CONSTRUCTION  OF  THE  NEW  UPSON COUNTY S.O. AND  JAIL  AND  THE  RENOVATION  OF  THE    PIKE   COUNTY COURTHOUSE , WILL  INTERVIEW  COURT  OFFICIALS  AND MAKE  RECOMMENDATIONS.

THE  COMMISSIONERS  HOPE  TO  HAVE    SOME  ANSWERS   BY  SEPTEMBER  IST , THE FINAL  DATE  TO  LINE  UP  PROJECTS  FOR  THE   2016 SPLOST THAT  COULD  BE  ON  THE  BALLOT IN  NOVEMBER. SEVERAL  MILLIONS  OF  DOLLARS  OF  THE  SPLOST COULD  BE  EARMARKED  FOR  COURTHOUSE  IMPROVEMENTS  OR  A  NEW  JUSTICE CENTER.