Chairman Banes's Accomplishments
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN OFFICE
Chairman Marcello Banes began his term in office as the Chairman of the Newton County Board of Commissioners on January 1, 2017. Here are a few of his accomplishments during his tenure:
SOCIAL SERVICES AND OUTREACH
- Member of the Board of Directors of View Point Health Newton County Health Saw the expansion of Piedmont Newton Emergency Room with SPLOST funds Funded 10 new beds at Piedmont Newton Hospital
- Oversaw Bicentennial Celebration in 2021
- Oversaw County Creation and implementation of policies and procedure related to the Covid-19 pandemic
- AND MORE!
COUNTY GOVERNANCE
- Board Member of Solid Waste Authority
- Saw Senior Services and Recreation Commission become departments under County guidance to ensure efficiency in governance
- Brought Economic Development under Industrial Development Authority
- Implemented Financial Transparency tool on website and continuing to evolve the format to a more user-friendly system.
- Oversaw the implementation of live streaming all Board of Commissioner meetings and department Oversaw new website implementation
- Oversaw implementation of Notify Newton citizen engagement App Renaming of Judicial Center to Horace J. Johnson Judicial Center
- AND MORE!
PLANNING FOR SMART GROWTH
- Implementation of a Strategic Plan
- Member of the Executive Board of Newton County Tomorrow AND MORE!
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS/COLLABORATION
- One Newton Initiative introduced as a key to the success of Newton County Completed Service Delivery Strategy with municipalities
- Promoted solution generating dialogue between the County and municipalities
- Promoted and engaged in solution generating dialogue between the County and various authorities to strengthen services provided throughout the County.
- AND MORE!
TAXES AND REVENUE RETURNS
- Lowered Millage rate every year, from 13.441 in 2017 to 8.439 in 2023
- First Joint Development Authority return of funds to Newton County since its creation. The County has received over $3,000,000
- Helped bring in a $212 million in grant money for water infrastructure.
- Distributed more than $21 million from ARPA for infrastructure, rental and mortgage relief, small businesses in need, non-profits and seniors for home repairs
- AND MORE!
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- Landed the Largest Economic Development deal in Georgia history in Newton County-Rivian Automotive Landed the Largest Economic Development deal in Georgia history in Newton County- Facebook and Facebook Expansion
- Newton County has become the home of several companies and developments including Absolics, Covington Town Center, Lidl, Archer Aviation and CineLease formerly Three Rings Studio.
- Expansion of Ninshinbo Automotive
- Board Member of the Joint Development Authority Board Member of the Industrial Development Authority Board Member of the Solid Waste Authority
- AND MORE!
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS
- Newton County paved a minimum of 20 miles of road each year beginning 2017 through 2023 Multiple bridges have been replaced or repaired
- Implementation of roundabouts to enhance traffic control
- Expansion of Almon Road exit on I-20 is underway Salem Road and Brown Bridge Road Implemented routine drainage and mowing programs.
- Implemented trash pickup program on roadways
- Road projects at Harold Dobbs and Crowell Road; Kirkland Road and Jack Neely; multiuse trail at Fairview Road and Partnered with Newton Trails and will have the completion of Cricket Frog Trail soon.
- AND MORE!
FINANCIAL STABILITY
- Began with fund balance of $4,678,421 now have over $60,000,000 Improved credit rating from Aa3 in 2017 to Aa1
- Finance Department has won multiple awards for reporting.
- AND MORE!
EMPLOYEE RETENTION
Completed a salary and compensation study for employees and implemented earned raises each year. Implemented new pension plan for employees
Improved health and medical benefits for employees Implemented defined benefits program for employees
Implemented NEWFORCE program to hire RSAT graduates from Newton County Detention Center AND MORE!
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS
- Won Gold Award 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 and Platinum Award for best operated plant of the year 2021 by the Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP).
- Best Tasting Water for Georgia by GAWP- 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Increased water capacity
- Collaborative effort led to the award of a grant totaling $212.7 million AND MORE!
PUBLIC SAFETY
- Added more than 70 Sheriff's Office vehicles with general fund and SPLOST funds Increased fire services personnel by more than 60 new fire fighters since 2017.
- New equipment to service citizens includes 4,000-gallon tender, 3 new engines with state of the art rescue equipment with more on the way.
- Built station 8, funded and built station 4 and refurbished station 2 into a full-time station to add service and improve ISO rating, reducing residents’ insurance premiums.
- Initiated program to find the best solution for emergency radio system, which is being built now.
- AND MORE!
ANIMAL SERVICES
- Animal Services
- Euthanasia rate in dropped from 2017 to 2022 Expanded Animal shelter, added surgical suite.
- Broke a record in adoptions in 2022 and again 2023 with 1,200 adopted.
- AND MORE!
RECREATION
- Added Dog park at Turner Lake
- Added splash pad, skate park at Denny Dobbs Constructed playground at Fairview Park
- Added amenities at Nelson Heights Community Center Refurbishment of Cousins Center, including new space for CASA Partnered with Newton Trails to pave trails and repair trestle Added playground and pavilion at Dinah Pace Park
- Broke ground on Spring Hill Park
- entered design phase for community water park Beginning renovations of Cousins School
- AND MORE!
OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
- Creation and Implementation of Family Fun Day
- Co-Sponsored Back to School Bash Event for Students (bookbags, laptops, tablets and school supplies provided to over 2,000 students in the last 3 years)
- Co-Sponsored Annual Turkey Giveaway to Seniors and the community at large
- Co-Sponsored Back to School Bash Concert for Newton County School System Employees
- Through collaborative efforts showcased several resources within the County and brought in resources from outside of the County to make more easily accessible to enhance the quality of life for Newton County citizens.
- AND MORE!
THROUGH DEDICATION AND COLLABORATION WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH HISTORIC MEASURES BETWEEN 2017 AND 2024. WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD A BETTER NEWTON COUNTY.
Posted on 10 Feb 2024, 11:55 - Category: Accomplishments