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 Camden County Board of Commissioners
Community Outreach eNewsletter
"Working together to make a positive difference in the community."
A Publication from the Office of the County Administrator - June/July 2013
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Connect With Us! |    | |
Keep up with what's going on in YOUR local government! |
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UPCOMING
Meetings
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August 6th
August 20th
Regular BOCC
Meeting
6:00pm
County Offices will be closed Monday, September 2, 2013 in observance of Labor Day
Sept. 10th
Regular BOCC Meeting
6:00pm
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Government Services Complex
200 East 4th Street
Woodbine, GA 31569
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| "Great Customer Service is the Cornerstone of Every Successful Organization!"
 | | Please click on the link below to complete Camden County's customer service survey. | |
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| Free Prescription Discount Cards Available to Camden County Residents | |
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Click on the image above to view more information about this service. |
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Camden County Fire Rescue Seeking Volunteers
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Camden County Fire Rescue is recruiting volunteer firefighters to be a part of the department. The volunteer firefighter program will be used to augment existing peronnel to meet the needs of the community now and in the future.
Visit the program website for the most current information.
Contact Fire Rescue Headquarters at (912) 729-3911 for questions about this program.
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A Message from the County Administrator
On June 18, 2013 the Board of Commissioners adopted the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget. Due to the slow economic recovery the strategies utilized for balancing the budget included:
- Appropriates a small portion of the county general fund balance to balance the budget
- Does not raise millage rate
- Reflects reality of current economic condition
- Requires continued strategic realignment and reform in many departments and programs
I want to thank the Board of County Commissioners, Constitutional Officers, county wide departments and all employees for their efforts of accomplishing this very challenging budget. Camden County has sustained financially responsible budgets throughout what has been declared the worse economic down turn of our generation.
I look forward to working with each of you as we continue to move Camden County forward.
Yours for a better Camden,
Steve L. Howard, CPM, CPPO
County Administrator
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County Saves $99,000 by Rebuilding Grader!!
The Camden County Board of Commissioners authorized the County Road Department to have the oldest Caterpillar 140G Motor Grader rebuilt, saving the County more than $99,000. To purchase a new grader would have cost the County $243,037.00
 
(Before) (After)
The Camden County Road Division currently has 6 road graders used for maintenance on unimproved roads and for construction of improved roads. Due to reliability and age only 5 graders are used on a daily basis. The Road Division proposed having the oldest Caterpillar 140G Motor Grader rebuilt to increase reliability and usage so with preventive maintenance and refurbishing the 1989 model would extend the life cycle of the heavy equipment by one cycle. The Road Division turned to Yancey Brothers for the Rebuild. Yancey Brothers Company Used Equipment Rebuild Center performs Cat Certified Rebuilds, Certified Powertrain Plus Rebuilds and General Reconditioning on machines that are purchased with the intent of rebuilding and offering to customers as an option alongside new and used equipment. Technicians working in the Rebuild Center average twenty years of experience in the industry and take great pride in the products they are building for Yancey customers.
"This is a great example of searching for better ways of doing County business which results in cost savings to the tax payers" said, County Administrator, Steve Howard.
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Camden County Wins 2013 National Achievement Award for Health Care Reform - Achieving Success Through Partnerships!
The National Association of Counties (NACo) announced that Camden County was selected as the 2013 NACo Achievement Award for Health Care Reform -Achieving Success Through Partnerships in the Personnel Management category.
While county governments exist to provide services to its citizens, the most valuable asset to any organization is its employees. Camden County recognized it was essential to strike a balance between the two. The Employee Health Plan (EHP) was growing faster than the departments delivering the services we exist to provide. The EHP became the fastest growing sector of the General Fund Budget in Fiscal year 2009. A strong benefits program has been viewed as a means to create a competitive edge in recruiting and retention in the public versus private sector, despite typically lower wages than private sector organizations.
Camden's ability to maintain a strong benefits program and a competitive edge in recruiting and retention was swiftly deteriorating. Thus became the goal to improve the quality and the administration of the County's EHP by reviewing budgetary considerations and sustainability models through the reassignment of staff responsibilities, community business partners and other local government entities.
In achieving that goal the County reinvented the EHP and created a sustainable model that could be adapted and replicated at any level; local, state, and/or national.
Camden County's continued team approach utilizing public-private partnerships has realized collective organizational efficiencies and operations build a healthier and more sustainable organization and community.
Camden County will be formally recognized at NACo's Awards Luncheon on July 21, 2013 at NACo's 2013 County Solutions and Idea Marketplace: Annual Conference in Tarrant County, TX.
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Mosquito Control Division offers
"Ways to Prevent Mosquito Breeding"
As a division of the Department of Public Works, the Mosquito Control Division is dedicated in providing the County the most environmentally safe and efficient control of mosquitoes. This includes spraying and applying mosquito growth regulator to the areas of Kingsland, Woodbine, St. Marys and public roads countywide.
The Mosquito Control division sprays approximately 3,575 gallons of mosquito control pesticides annually to all incorporated and unincorporated public areas of the county. With all the rain and standing water, please take the necessary precautions as to cut down on the breeding of mosquitoes.
Ways to Prevent Mosquito Breeding:
- Empty, drain, remove, cover or turn upside down things that can hold water. Throw out old tires, tin cans, bottles, jars, buckets and other containers or keep them upside down so no water can enter them.
- Empty any small plastic wading pools weekly. Store it indoors when not in use. Properly maintain your swimming pool and keep it covered so as not to collect water.
- Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets. Don't let runoff water from your air conditioner collect in shady areas.
- Don't dump grass clippings, branches or other items in storm drains or ditches.
- Fill holes in trees with sand or mortar.
Some mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water where they hatch in a day or two. Other mosquitoes lay their eggs in old tires, tin cans and other such water-holding containers. The mosquitoes may remain un-hatched for weeks, months or until they are covered with water. Mosquitoes need water to complete their life cycle. Adult flying mosquitoes are hungry and ready to eat.
You can take these simple steps to reduce the number of mosquitoes breeding in your backyard.
For mosquito control needs and comments, please contact the Mosquito Control Division at (912) 729-4823.
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Camden Acknowledged for Success
National Flood Insurance Program, "Community Rating System"
In June, representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Region IV, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Flood Insurance Program Georgia Coordinators and the Insurance Services Office acknowledged Camden County for participating in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System Program. As a result of Camden County's outstanding performance in the Community Rating System program, flood insurance policyholders throughout the County are now afforded premium discounts on their policies.
Camden County was recognized for efforts to reduce the loss of lives and property damage caused by flooding, as well as restoring environmental functions of floodplains and holding local development to standards that exceed the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program.
The Camden County Board of Commissioners are proud of this accomplishment and will continue to aim higher to further pursue additional avenues to improve the Community Rating System rating for all Camden County residents.
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Hurricane Preparedness,
Emergency Management Agency
2013 Hurricane Guide Available Online 
The Board of County Commissioners and Emergency Management Agency released the 2013 Hurricane Guide during June. We encourage you to take a look at this publication and share it with your family, friends, and colleagues to use as a tool for emergency telephone numbers, quick links, and pertinent articles about hurricanes, local evacuations routes, CodeRed, and more.
For the next six months, NOAA's Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook says there is a 70 percent likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 7 to 11 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher). These ranges are well above the seasonal average of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.
Hurricane awareness and preparedness can save lives and protect key assets. Hazards include storm surge, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, landslides, mudslides, high winds, tornadoes, and rip currents. Local governments prepare by updating and publicizing evacuation plans and routes and other safety tips. Evacuation planning has become more sophisticated as managers also consider the needs of those who cannot readily evacuate themselves. Provisions for pets are now part of many evacuation plans.
The recent storms are reminders of the damage they bring to our coastal community. It is important that we take steps now to prepare our family and businesses for future events.
Camden County's 2013 Hurricane Guide
click to view
CodeRED
click to register
By planning ahead, you will ensure that you and your loved ones are safe and secure.
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2013 "Showcase Camden County"
Photo Contest!
Take your Best Shot! 
The "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 2013 contest calls for photos to be submitted under one of four categories:
- Landscapes
- Nature/Wildlife
- Transportation
- Current Events/People
One winner per category will be awarded. Each winning category participant will receive a $50 Visa gift card. An overall photograph will be chosen among all of the submitted photos of each category. The overall winner will receive an additional $100 Visa gift card. Gift card prizes are not County funded and are generously donated by sponsors.
The deadline to submit photos is Friday, November 8, 2013. Detailed information regarding the photo contest & rules can be found by clicking the link below:
"Showcase Camden County" Photo Contest
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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 the 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."
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 Chip Keene District 1 |
 Chuck Clark District 2 |
 Jimmy Starline District 3 |
 Gary Blount District 4 |
 Tony Sheppard District 5 |
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.
The Board of County Commissioners and employees of Camden County are committed to the following values: Integrity, Respect, Service, Accountability, Teamwork, and Balance
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