Wednesday, February 27, 2013
© Copyright 2013
Rockdale Citizen
CONYERS -- Members of the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners continued a process of outlining goals for the county for 2013, this time prioritizing the objectives that will be woven into an overall plan for the year.
The goals discussion, conducted as part of the commissioners' regular meeting at the county Assembly Hall, was the third time commissioners have publicly communicated on their goals. Commissioners met twice in January to set goals, once in a day-long retreat in Lithonia and again for an afternoon at the J.P. Carr Center.
Tuesday's discussion was not without a short burst of discord when Post 2 Commissioner JaNice Van Ness and Chairman Richard Oden differed on whether their goals should be read aloud. As Oden began to read his goals, Van Ness objected, saying she didn't think the public was interested in hearing him read the entire list. Oden said he was exercising his personal liberty and authority to read the goals. When Van Ness again objected, Oden said, "You are out of order, commissioner," and Van Ness left the Assembly Hall for a brief period of time.
In a document compiled for the discussion, Oden outlined eight overall goals: Performance and productivity improvement; team building and communication; fiscal responsibility and financial management; youth development and enhancement; regional and statewide relationship-building; strategic planning and goal-setting; public outreach and community beautification; and "Rockdale Works" for job creation.
Among his goals, Post 1 Commissioner Oz Nesbitt listed filling the chief of staff as his top goal overall. The position is now being advertised, he said. Filling that position will aid in clear communication among members of the Board of Commissioners, he said.
Nesbitt also said he would like the county's executive staff to be able to take advantage of training opportunities offered by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia. If the training was not included in the 2013 budget, Oz asked that the Finance Department try to find the money.
Nesbitt also listed implementation of an ordinance review team through the Department of Planning and Development in order to weed out outdated ordinances and make revisions where needed.
Both Nesbitt and Van Ness listed increased usage of the J.P. Carr Gym as a high priority.
Among other things, Van Ness also said she would like to:
-- Develop an incentive-based program to encourage employees, particularly public safety workers, to live in Rockdale County;
-- Develop clear communication among board members;
-- Create a revenue enhancement program that would match business licenses with county revenue from the state Department of Revenue to ensure that businesses in Rockdale County are reporting sales taxes collected; and
-- Analyze all county-owned property to determine if it is being used or if it could be sold.
Oden said he would take the commissioners' lists of goals and work with staff members to integrate them into a comprehensive plan. The next step would be to develop a timetable for accomplishing the objectives.
More like this story
- Commissioners agree on need for better planning ( January 9, 2013 )
- Reporting may shift for county chief of staff ( June 26, 2012 )
- First read of budget approved ( November 23, 2010 )
- Commissioners balk at taping upcoming forum ( September 25, 2012 )
- Retired Educators honored ( November 3, 2012 )
Comments
Southside 2 months, 3 weeks ago
"Oden said he would take the commissioners' lists of goals and work with staff members to integrate them into a comprehensive plan. The next step would be to develop a timetable for accomplishing the objectives." Translation=He is going to wad them up & throw them out.
johndoemo_ 2 months, 3 weeks ago
I like Van Ness's goals. Pretty good. But I wonder what Oden meant by "regional and statewide relationship-building?" Does that mean he wants to work closely with Oconee county, and Gwinnett to implement a lot of tight ordinances so we can attract large coorporations and upper income residential properties? Or does it mean throw parties for his democratic mentors from Atlanta and Dekalb and continue to be their puppet? I would just like clarification.
Clem 2 months, 3 weeks ago
"In a document compiled for the discussion, Oden outlined eight overall goals: Performance and productivity improvement; team building and communication; fiscal responsibility and financial management; youth development and enhancement; regional and statewide relationship-building; strategic planning and goal-setting; public outreach and community beautification; and "Rockdale Works" for job creation."
Say what? These are not goals. One of Oden's goals is to set goals? How about lower the unemployment rate for the county. How about raising tax revenue without increasing individual tax rates.
Van Ness, "Create a revenue enhancement program that would match business licenses with county revenue from the state Department of Revenue to ensure that businesses in Rockdale County are reporting sales taxes collected"
See, this is actually a goal. I don't know that there is a significant problem with this, but assuming there is, this is a goal that would increase revenue ithout raising individual take rates.
superman 2 months, 3 weeks ago
Well stated. I've gathered that most of the goals are not actually goals- the goals are actually their job duties. Oden said "fiscal responsibility and financial management"- but isn't that part of the job as CEO? Nesbitt said "filling the chief of staff as his top goal overall." But isn't it their jobs to fill vacancies? Sort of like Obama nominating an ATF director after all of these years. It's your job!
INJUSTICE_FOR_ALL 2 months, 3 weeks ago
Oden is a joke. This is what you get when you allow stupid people to vote.
Elmo 2 months, 3 weeks ago
I see that OdenBama is asserting his royal authority again...they want the power and the glory, but not the work.
Frustrated 2 months, 3 weeks ago
Oden is a typical politician. Say a lot that means a little. As long as he can act like "His Royal Highness" he will be happy.
heypastorbob 2 months, 3 weeks ago
Here's one for you. Help me sell my house so I can leave this county and go to one where the County Commissioners care more for the County and it's Citizens rather than how they can make it look more like DeKalb Co.
1ayk 2 months, 2 weeks ago
I have a goal for at least two of the commissioners. Quit dressing like Al Sharpton if you want to be considered professional. Where do you get these outfits? Also, get off your butts and do real work. And, knowing what the heck you are doing would be a great help. And lastly, quit using liberal urban talking points every other word i.e. vision, same sheet of music, team, etc. it grows old and is insulting. It only shows your true colors.
1ayk 2 months, 2 weeks ago
I am amazed. You have been in power four plus years and you still have communication problems with staff. How much time do we the citizens need to wait for you to correct this??
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