Gordon County Commissioners have approved disaster relief efforts to aid residents affected by the tornado during the recovery and rebuilding process.

County building permit fees have been waived for 30 days and are subject for an extension as the need arises. Though the fee has been waived, the permit is still a requirement.

“We have people who come from all over and we want to make sure that they are doing things properly and we want to know they are there and that they don’t come in, take people’s money and then leave,” said Tom Burgess Gordon County Building Inspection Department. “One of the reasons we are asking people to register, is so that we know who you are and what you are there for in hopes of eliminating some of these other issues that can happen with an event like this.”

The board has also temporarily waived the county ordinance regarding living full time in a camper or RV on site while a home is being built. The ordinance will be waived under the stipulation the occupants agree to sign a form stating they understand the situation is temporary.

“A lot of people want to be there to ensure their things don’t get stolen.” Said Burgess, adding the exceptions will offer extension on a case-by-case basis at the end of 90 days. “We don’t want somebody to bring one in and decide they don’t have any money to fix their house and want to live there permanently, but at the same time we don’t want to tell people tough luck.”

Another area of concern regarding recovery efforts was the issue of debris removal by the county. According to the Gordon County website, the Public Works Department will only remove debris from the storm that is blocking roads, driveways, right of ways, etc… for purposes of traffic.

Commissioners agreed that the road department will not revisit sites for debris removal more than once. The concern comes from the county’s cap on free tonnage given to the county by Santek for debris removal.

To keep tonnage down, the road department will cease to revisit sites more than once for debris removal apart from blocked roadways, driveways, or right of ways, etc., that may hinder traffic.

Metal disposal can be disposed at all sites for free excluding Dews Pond. Also, the Gordon County Fire Department is asking everyone not to burn house debris including lumber, plywood, furniture, etc., as a means of disposal.

According to the website, after the initial round by the Public Works Department, each property owner will be responsible for debris removal from private property from that point forward. For a complete and updated list of streets that have already been cleared, please visit: http://www.gordoncounty.org/streets.

To help with debris disposal, the landfill has lowered rates for natural debris from $22.15 per ton to $15 per ton. Rates for construction debris, such as house debris, doors, lumber, windows, carpet etc., have also been lowered from $35.95 per ton to $29.95 per ton.

For more information, please call the Emergency Operations Center at 706-879-2850 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Also at the meeting, commissioners agreed not to send a letter of support for an increase for the Gordon County Coroner and Deputy Coroners, requested at the last meeting of the board in January.

Commissioners agreed that though the increase in case load has increased by approximately 20 since 2007, it did not condone a 50 percent increase.

Some concerns expressed by the board was that the boards own pay remains at the five percent decrease given at the same time county employees were stripped of paid holidays. Though the holidays have since been returned to county employees as well as a two percent increase, the board did not agree with supporting the increase.

Though the county would absorb the increased costs to fund the increases, the Georgia General Assembly will make the final decision.

Also during the meeting:

Commissioners viewed a rendering of the new agricultural building by Lusk and Co. associates. Representatives from Luck and Company as well as a copy of the building design will be available during a meet and greet session on February 20 from 1 – 4 p.m. in the meeting room of the Gordon County Administrating Building located at 201 N. Wall St. in Calhoun.

Commissioners approved the abandonment of Linda Lane and a portion of East May Street from Linda Lane to Peters St., to the city of Calhoun.

Commissioners announced the chamber booster breakfast is Feb. 22 at 7:30 a.m., where board chair Becky Hood will address participants on the state of the county.