Camden CountyCamden County
Board of Commissioners
Community Outreach Newsletter
  "Working together to make a positive difference in the community."  

 

 A Publication from the Office of the County Administrator - July 2011

In This Issue
A Message from the County Administrator
Local State of Emergency Declared in Camden County
Camden County Wins 2011 National Achievement Awards for Two Innovative County Programs
Learn More about YOUR Local Government
Camden County Government Embraces Social Media
Hurricane Season 2011 - Always Be Prepared!
Miracle League Grand Opening slated for September 17, 2011!
Bryan-Lang Foundation Offers Rodney Sheffield Memorial Scholarship
Showcase Camden County Photo Contest
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UPCOMING
Board of County Commissioners Meetings 

July 12th

Regular Meeting

6:00pm

Government Services Complex
 200 East 4th Street
Woodbine, GA 31569
"Great Customer Service is the Cornerstone of Every Successful Organization!"
 
Your Opinion Counts
Please click on the link below to complete Camden County's customer service survey.
Report A Concern 
Report A Concern
The Camden County Fix It Form will help us identify a problem in your area -- and fix it fast. Should a problem require urgent attention, please call us immediately. For a police emergency, dial 911. Otherwise, call (912) 576-5601.  
Free Prescription Discounts Cards Available to Camden County Residents
Discount Rx Card
Click on the image above to view more information about this service.
Adopt-A-Highway
 and help remove litter from Camden County's roadsides!
  For additional information and to find out how you can adopt a highway, please click on the link below:
 
Keeping Connected While on the Go

A mobile friendly version of Camden County Government's website is available for citizens on the go with the new CivicPlus MuniMobile™ tool. This feature automatically detects a mobile phone browser and displays the mobile version of Camden County's website accordingly. Mobile phone users still have the option to view the full site if they choose to do so.

 

Visit us on your mobile Web at www.co.camden.ga.us.

A Message from the County Administrator
Steve L. Howard, County Administrator

The Board of County Commissioners adopted a balanced Fiscal Year 2012 Budget on June 21, 2011. This Fiscal Year 2012 General Fund Budget totals $25,499,160 which is almost a $1.9 million decrease from the Fiscal Year 2011 Budget due to a pattern of declining revenues. Revenues and expenditures are balanced with no millage rate increase and reduces spending to almost 2006 levels. The priority in development this budget was to provide the Board of County Commissioners with a balanced budget.


Chair David L. Rainer stated, "All departments have been touched by the budget shortfalls, especially personnel, but the decisions were made to maintain the best integrity that Camden County can contain."

 

[Read Full Budget Adoption Press Release and Details here...]

 

The Board also adopted five (5) furlough days to be taken during Fiscal Year 2012. All Board of County Commissioner's offices will be closed on the following dates in addition to regular holiday closures:

  • Friday, July 1, 2011
  • Friday, September 2, 2011
  • Wednesday, November 23, 2011
  • Friday, February 17, 2012
  • Monday, April 9, 2012

I would like to thank all the departments involved on the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget for working together and doing what it takes to meet the challenges Camden County is faced with for the coming year.

 

As always, I look forward to working with each of you as we continue to move Camden County forward. Have a great summer!

 

 

Sincerely, 

 
Steve L. Howard, CPM, CPPO

County Administrator

 

Local State of Emergency Declared in Camden County - Burn/Fireworks Ban  Currently in Effect

On Friday, June 24, 2011 Camden County Board of County Commissioners, Chair David Rainer, in conference with and the agreement of, the Mayors of Kingsland, St. Marys and Woodbine issued a State of Emergency that bans the sale and use of fireworks anywhere within the County. The ban, which joins a total burn ban already in effect, will remain in effect until conditions improve.

 

According to the National Weather Service, Camden County currently exists in an extreme to exceptional drought state with a 12" to 16" rainfall deficit. Wildfires continue to burn through Southeast Georgia and northern Florida often blanketing the county in acrid smoke.

 

Local officials urge all citizens to comply with the ban. Law enforcement officers throughout the County will seize the fireworks of any citizens using them and will issue citations as necessary.

 

A Message from Chief Dennis Gailey,

Camden County Fire Rescue

"Maintaining everyone's safety this past July 4th holiday weekend was considered a success due to the public's diligence during this extreme fire weather season Camden County is experiencing. Although there were a couple of large fires in the county that kept fire rescue personnel busy, there were none as a result of fireworks or misuse of open flame. As weather conditions improve the burn/fireworks ban will be considered to be lifted. We thank the public for their understanding during the burn/fireworks ban and appreciate their commitment to report unsafe activities to prevent disasters."

 

Visit http://www.firewise.org/ to learn about tips to promote Fire Wise Communities.

Camden County Wins 2011 National Achievement Awards for Two Innovative County Program

The National Association of Counties announced in June that Camden County was selected to receive National Achievement Awards for their submissions on two county government programs that better serve area residents.
 

This year, the following county programs won NACo Achievement Awards:

  • Retirement Redesign - Maximizing a Key Employee Benefit
  • Helping Citizens Save Lives - Andrew Cohn Automatic External Defibrillator Program

[Read more...]

Learn More about YOUR Local Government - Participate in Camden County Citizens' Academy 2011 

Citizens' AcademyCamden County Government is preparing for the 2011 class in efforts to continue carrying out our goal of open government. The Citizen's Academy is a FREE interactive program designed to familiarize the general public with the roles, services, and operations that comprise Camden County Government. The program focuses on educating residents, business owners, and interested persons who work in Camden County on how daily county government operations contribute to building a better community.

 

Citizens from all segments of the community are encouraged to apply. CLICK HERE to view additional details, a 2011 class schedule, as well as an application.

 

Please submit completed applications to Camden County Government, P.O. Box 99, Woodbine, GA 31569, or via email to [email protected]or via fax to (912) 576-5647 by Friday, July 15, 2011.

 

Don't miss out on learning more about YOUR local government!

Camden County Government Embraces Social MediaSocial Media

Camden County Government has released its first platform of social media for the Board of County Commissioners, Facebook. As more and more citizens in our community make the shift towards more modern social technologies to receive and share information and communicate their opinions, it is imperative that the Board of County Commissioners include these technologies as part of its efforts to enhance customer service and outreach, as well as increase citizen's awareness of current events.

 

Be sure to "like" us on Facebook so you can stay up-to-date with your local government's news and annoucements!

 

[Read more...] 

 

Find us on Facebook 

Hurricane Season 2011 - Always Be Prepared!

EMAYou don't have to be a meteorologist to know that 2011 has already been an unusual year for extreme weather and natural disasters. Be safe by being prepared. Check out Camden County's Hurricane Guide 2011 to learn more about how to reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster. You can also visit the Emergency Management Agency's webpage to learn more about preparedness and planning for hurricanes, or contact EMA directly by phone at (912) 729-5602.

Miracle League Grand Opening slated for September 17, 2011! 

The Miracle League of Camden CountyBe sure to mark your calendars for the Grand Opening of the Miracle League of Camden County on Saturday, September 17, 2011!

 

Camden County's HOPE Team hosted several fundraisers during 2010 to raise money to help build "Justin's Miracle Field" in Kingsland. Recently, this project was selected by the St. Marys United Methodist Church Foundation to receive a $78,000 grant! This grant amount will fund the remaining contruction needs for the project.

 

Camden County HOPE Team will continue to work closely with this non-profit organization during the Summer to help prepare for this exciting event in our community! The Miracle League is currently accepting names for players and buddies. If you are interested in participating as a player or volunteering, please contact The Miracle League by email at [email protected], or by phone at (912) 322-1970. 

Bryan-Lang Foundation Offers Rodney Sheffield Memorial Scholarship

The Bryan-Lang Foundation, Inc. is offering an academic scholarship to a Camden County student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in history or a history-related field at a Georgia educational institution.  The Rodney W. Sheffield Memorial Scholarship will be given to a graduating high school senior and to a non-traditional college bound or currently enrolled college student.  The applicant must be a Camden County resident and have a minimum 3.5 or above GPA.

 

The deadline for the first scholarship has already passed. The second scholarship deadline will be October 1, 2011. [Read on...]

"Showcase Camden County" Photo Contest 2011Showcase Camden County Photo Contest

The 2011 "Showcase Camden County" Photo Contest calls for photographers to submit their best photos of Camden County, Georgia to include its activities, people, attractions and events, as well as historic and scenic locations. Camden County's natural landscapes and unique events provide limitless creative inspiration to individuals that enjoy seeing the world through the lens of a camera. 

 

The 2011 contest calls for photos to be submitted under one of four categories:

  1. Landscapes
  2. Nature/Wildlife
  3. Transportation
  4. Current Events/People 
The deadline to submit photos is Friday, November 4, 2011. Visit the Community Relations section of the County's website to view detailed information regarding the photo contest & rules.
As always, one of our goals is to ensure we are providing the citizens of Camden County information and a better understanding of current issues involving Camden County Government. We hope you enjoyed reading our monthly Community Outreach newsletter and found it informative. We encourage and value your feedback and any input you may have to help us improve it in the future.  

 
By working together Camden County can continue to be "Georgia's Coastal Community of Choice."

Meet Your Commissioners

 

Commissioner Chip Keene, District 1     Commissioner Chuck Clark, District 2     Commissioner Jimmy Starline, District 3     Commissioner Gary Blount, District 4     Commissioner David L. Rainer, District 5

     Willis R. Keene, Jr.       Chuck Clark           Jimmy Starline            Gary Blount          David L. Rainer

Our Commitment to You!
 
VISION 
Helping to make Camden County the best place to be by preserving and enhancing the history and quality of life while promoting smart growth and providing an efficient, effective and responsive government.
 
MISSION
It is the mission of Camden County Government to provide responsive, innovative, and cost effective services, promote smart growth, effectively communicate with the community, improve infrastructure and technology, preserve the health, welfare, safety, and environment while maintaining the outstanding quality of life that makes our county a desirable place to live and work. 
 
VALUES 
The Board of County Commissioners and employees of Camden County are committed to the following values: Integrity, Respect, Service, Accountability, Teamwork, and Balance