Year's end: Hall County celebrates 2016 accomplishments

• The General Fund millage rate, which is the property tax rate that supports daily operations, was rolled back from 5.735 mills to 5.716 mills.
• The new Hall County Sheriff's Office Headquarters opened to the public on the Hall County Government Center campus, expanding residents' ability to receive countless government services at a central location.
• The Hall County Elections Office successfully facilitated the 2016 election season, expeditiously processing a record number of voters during early voting in the General Election.
• An additional 2,750 feet of linear sidewalks were added to Floyd Road to address concerns regarding pedestrian safety in the heavily-walked area.
• The Board of Commissioners voted on a resolution for the deannexation of property from the City of Gainesville to form a new park off Harrison Drive.
• Approximately $29.9 million was collected in the first year of Hall County's Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) VII. That's 4.27 percent (or $1.2 million) more than SPLOST VII was projected to bring in during its first year.
• The Board of Commissioners paid off millions of dollars in sewer debt after voting to sell property at the Spout Springs Water Reclamation Facility (SSWRF) on Spout Springs Road.
• Seven Hall County homeowners are in the final stages of approval to receive grant funding for repairs and upgrades to their homes as part of the Department of Community Affairs' efforts to maintain quality affordable housing for middle- and low-income families.
• Japanese logistics company Tatsumi announced its plans to expand its operations at Hall County's Gateway Industrial Centre off Ga. 365, adding a new 112,000-square-foot facility.
• Hall County continues to grow and improve its sewer services, purchasing service agreements to meet the needs of growth in the southern and northern ends of the county.
• County planners began the process of updating Hall County's Comprehensive Plan, a policy document that presents the community's primary goals for achieving its vision for growth and development over the next 20 years.
• More than $1.4 million in savings was realized between Hall County Government and those covered under its health insurance plan in the first 18 months after opening its own pharmacy on Old Cornelia Highway.
• The new Hall County Correctional Institution was opened, replacing a facility that was more than 50 years old.
• The Human Resources and Financial Services staff implemented ADP, an online payroll processing system which updated the County's manual time-keeping methods, integrated and enhanced online open enrollment and access to payroll and implemented a critical compliance solution to increase efficiency.
• The Hall County/City of Gainesville Flat Creek Bandalong Litter Trap was named as the recipient of the American Public Works Association (APWA) - Georgia Chapter's 2016 Technical Innovation Award.
• Head's Mill (also known as Healan's Mill), a 170-year-old gristmill located along the Ga. 365 corridor, was stabilized, and Hall County crews began restoration work in order to preserve the historic landmark, an effort spearheaded by a group of Hall County citizens known as the Head's Mill Historic Preservation Trust.
• Hall County officials partnered with the City of Flowery Branch, the Georgia Department of Transportation and the developer of Sterling on the Lake subdivision to bring a traffic light to its entrance on Spout Springs Road. 
• The commission passed a Memorandum of Agreement with the City of Gainesville's Parks and Recreation Department, Lakeview Academy and the Gainesville City School System to jointly fund the shoulder widening of Quarry Street/Lakeview Drive to provide a safe, new walking path near Lakeview Academy and Gainesville Middle School.
• Hall County officials announced the widening of Spout Springs Road will occur two years earlier than originally anticipated.
• The Chicopee Section of the new Highlands to Islands Trail opened to the public.
• Hall County Financial Services was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).
• Hall County and the cities of Flowery Branch and Oakwood entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement to share maintenance responsibilities along Thurmond Tanner Road.
• The Hall County Sheriff's Office's firing range and training facility is set to be repaired and expanded with $1.7 million in funds from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
• More than 10 tons of debris was removed from a cove on Lake Lanier off Clarks Bridge Road with the help of Keep Hall Beautiful, Gainesville/Hall '96 and the Lake Lanier Association.
• The Hall County Government Center became home to the most recent piece of large-scale artwork installed as a part of the Free Range Art Project, a partnership between the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce's Vision 2030 and the North Georgia Community Foundation.
• The Hall County Animal Shelter received its largest donation to date-nearly $20,000-- which will be used to outfit the shelter's transport trailer, giving them more visibility and functionality at off-site adoption events.
• Hall County won multiple awards for its recycling projects, including the "Caught GREEN Handed" program and the Flat Creek Bandalong Litter Trap, during the Hall County Green Alliance's annual awards ceremony.  District 2 Commissioner Billy Powell was also recognized at the ceremony as the Elected Official of the Year.
• Hall County Financial Services staff prepared and submitted its first Annual Budget Guide, which outlines the County's financial structure, policies and processes, as well as information about the various services each department provides.
• The process continued to beautify the land surrounding Hall County exits along the I-985 corridor.
• Hall County's 911 Center, along with its radio communications system, was upgraded.
• Hall County began the process of making their agendas paperless by providing all agendas and relevant information electronically, saving money and improving efficiency as a result.
• Hall County Drug Court, which provides early intervention to those with substance abuse issues, celebrated its 15th anniversary in November. 
• Hall County Fire Services put a new aerial truck into service, enhancing the department's overall operations.
• Georgia Governor Nathan Deal named Hall County District 1 Commissioner Kathy Cooper to the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) State Advisory Board.
• Hall County crews began the process of rebuilding a historic log cabin home, dating back to at least the 1840s, at Cherokee Bluffs Park. 
• The Hall County Tax Commissioner's Office launched a new website to help residents find the most up-to-date information regarding property taxes, tag renewals, billing cycles, delinquent tax payments and more.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/12/484576/years-end-hall-county-celebrates-2016-accomplishments