By law, the sheriff has responsibility for such collections, but the job traditionally has fallen to the tax commissioner as an “ex-officio sheriff.”
Citing budget concerns, Turner reassumed the responsibility and entered into an agreement with Government Tax Solutions in Carrollton to collect delinquent payments starting in January. Turner said the new arrangement will be more efficient, but Tax Commissioner Gary Wood begs to differ.
Wolfe said the sheriff “has with study, deliberation and thought made a decision that substantially changes the way delinquent taxes are collected. That decision is totally his to make, and it was not made with any recommendation or input from this body. No. 1, it would be unethical for us to do that. No. 2, it would be illegal for us to do that because of the independent nature of his office.”
“Change is extremely difficult and Donny has a reputation of having served this county almost 20 years now as sheriff and making tough decisions,” Wolfe said. “This decision was one that he did not take lightly and he did it with a tremendous amount of thought and investigation.
“This body has great respect for Donny Turner, his judgment and leadership, and we are required by law to honor that decision. This will be the last statement this body shall make regarding this decision.”
Wolfe, Turner, Wood and County Manager Mike Dobbs appeared before the county grand jury this week to talk about the new procedure. The grand jury thanked them in its written report.
District Attorney Pete Skandalakis made it clear the issue wasn’t on his agenda and he didn’t extend the invitations to appear before the grand jury.
“At times I receive requests from officials and elected officers to address the grand jury on certain matters,” he said. “It’s not unusual for me to honor those requests and fit them into my grand jury schedule.”
In another matter Tuesday, the County Commission honored Champions Tour golfer Allen Doyle and his daughter, Michelle Griffith, for their award-winning First Tee recreation program.
Doyle serves as board chairman and Griffith as executive director of the First Tee of Troup County, which teaches golf and life skills to youth ages 8 to 18 free of charge. About two weeks ago, it was named best athletic program in District 4 by the Georgia Recreation and Park Association.
“I’m thrilled to get this award,” Doyle said. “It’s a big project and the county has really jumped in behind us.”
He urged more young people to take part in the First Tee, which has a par 3 course, clubhouse and practice facilities off Lafayette Parkway behind the Mike Daniel Recreation Center.
The First Tee has served an estimated 850 children since it started in April 2005, growing 10 percent to 15 percent each year. It raised $42,000 to get the program into physical education classes at all 15 of the county’s elementary schools, and has started classes with the Troup County Senior Center, West Georgia Home School Association and Twin Cedars Youth Services.
The school program “will reach over 5,000 children and will serve as a feeder program to our First Tee chapter,” said county Recreation Director Tod Tentler.
He said Doyle “is so important to this community. He gives of his time, energy and money, and his passion makes him a positive influence in the community.”
“You and your family have been a blessing in this community for a long time,” Wolfe told the back-to-back U.S. Senior Open champ.
Also Tuesday, West Georgia Health System President Jerry Fulks and Vice President Paul Perrotti updated commissioners on the hospital’s South Tower project, which tentatively is scheduled to be completed at the end of March with a grand opening in the first of May. It will include a new main entrance, intensive care, cardiology and maternity units, and an emergency department.
“We’re on schedule and on budget,” Fulks said.
On a sour note, Perrotti informed commissioners that indigent-care expenses at the hospital have mushroomed from less than $10 million in 2003 to about $32 million this year.
“This economy has put a lot of people in a difficult position as far as being able to pay for their health care,” he said.
On the other hand, it’s been a banner year for physician recruitment, Fulks said. He said 11 doctors have joined the hospital, including two interventional cardiologists who help Dr. James Brennan with angioplasty and stents.
“We’re treating more patients in Troup County than ever before,” Fulks said. “We continue to work toward growing our medical community. I think LaGrange is now on the map in terms of physician recruitment.”
In another matter, Tentler said the county will receive a $42,000 federal stimulus grant to buy a vehicle for Troup Transit, which provides services for the elderly and disabled.
Joel Martin can be reached at jmartin@ lagrangenews.com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 235.
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