The Henry County Board of Commissioners covered two items at its June 16 regular meeting related to recent national controversy and unrest.

  That board voted unanimously to approve a resolution in support of hate crime legislation recently considered by the Georgia General Assembly. House Bill 426 passed both houses June 23.

  County attorney Patrick Jaugstetter pointed out that Georgia was one of only four states in the nation without such a statewide law. The resolution defines a hate crime as any crime motivated by or committed due to the victim’s race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, or mental disability. The proposed law would provide for enhanced penalties for crimes involving physical violence, Jaugstetter said.

  There was no additional discussion by commissioners after his presentation.

  Also approved by commissioners was a directive for county management staff to put together specifics for a proposed public safety advisory commission that can be considered for approval in July. The idea has been suggested by more than one commissioner in the wake of police-related concerns around the country.

  It was made clear during the board discussion that the move is primarily about citizen input and the commissioners would not be creating another governmental body that would have authority over the police department. Any proposal brought back before the commissioners will include what the group’s specific duties would be as well as the level of commissioner involvement.

  In other business, the board approved a resolution regarding the Citizens Participation Plan for the county’s Community Development Block Grant program. According to officials, the county has been awarded a special allocation of $704,701 in CDBG funds, approved by the federal CARES Act, for the specific purpose of helping citizens impacted directly by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shutdown. Staff recommended that the funding be allocated to public service providers and be focused on helping residents maintain housing and provide for essential needs such as rent/mortgage and utility payments as well as assistance to food banks.

  Also approved was a resolution authorizing placement of a gate on a section of county right-of-way between Hunter Road and the current end of pavement of Watson Circle. As home construction continues in the northwest portion of the Heron Bay subdivision, construction traffic has increased on Luella Road and Hunter Road, neither of which are intended for that kind of traffic, officials said. Signage has gone up prohibiting it, but commissioner Johnny Wilson requested that further action be taken. The gate will have an approved lock to allow public safety access to that portion of Heron Bay.

  The board approved a resolution awarding a $70,650 contract to Ross & Associates for consulting services regarding an impact fee study. According to county planning and economic development head Toussaint Kirk, the study would result in an updated fee schedule and the addition of some roads. The current fee schedule was implemented in 2003, around the time impact fees were first approved for the county, and Kirk said that schedule has not changed since then. The money for the consulting service would come from the fund balance, if necessary.