Bell Looks Back at 2015

Stephens County Commission Chairman Dennis Bell said 2015 was one of the most blessed years the county has had in some time.

Bell spoke with WNEG News Monday about the last 12 months.

He said that the county moved forward in a number of areas he felt were priorities heading into the year that just wrapped up.

“Last year, when I was selected as Chairman, I put four goals out,” said Bell. “I wanted to see the millage rate cut. I wanted us to do a lot of road work. I wanted the fire substations put up and I wanted to do what we could to get jobs in here. So far, those four goals have been met.”

Bell said the biggest thing in his mind over the last year was the addition of NIFCO KTW and Sark Wire to Stephens County.

“By working together with the Development Authority, the Chamber of Commerce, the city of Toccoa, and a few other folks, we were able to pull those folks and they decided to choose Stephens County for their site,” said Bell. “We needed some jobs in this area and the Lord blessed us with them. We got them.”

According to Bell, the county’s progress on roads was another major effort in 2015.

Stephens County forward funded about $1.7 million in re-surfacing work by taking out bonds that will be paid back with money collected through SPLOST VI for roads and bridges.

That money was to complete about 20 miles of road work throughout Stephens County.

Bell said he is pleased with the county’s progress on the road front last year.

“I wish we could have done more roads, but you cannot control Mother Nature,” said Bell. “I feel really good about the way things turned out because they were able to do several roads this (past) year and they already have more roads lined up for 2016.”

On Bell’s other two goals, the county commission approved a millage rate cut in 2015 from 13.66 mills to 13.41 mills and also used SPLOST VI money to start building fire stations on North Holcomb Drive and Red Bluff Road to provide more coverage to the Big Smith Fire Department, and Black Mountain Road to provide more coverage to the Shiloh Fire Department.

Bell said accomplishing all of this took a team effort from all of the county commissioners.

“We worked very well as a commission together,” said Bell. “We worked well with the city and other boards out there as well. By working together, you can get more accomplished.”

Bell said he has enjoyed serving as County Commission Chair for the last year.

He said he is hopeful the county can continue making more progress in the year ahead.