Response Summary:
Thank you for taking the time to complete the GOMI Survey.
If your Government has any other GOMI Surveys outstanding, make sure to click the links to the other surveys from our website here: GOMI Homepage
You can log out after completing any question and return at a later time to complete or modify that question or others. Also, you must provide a working email address to receive a confirmation email that DCA has received your survey responses.
Suggestions:
- Before you begin, download/print the PDF version of the GOMI survey form (near the top of the page at the link below). This blank form can be used as a worksheet for distribution to other departments or staff members that might be completing part(s) of the survey: Blank GOMI PDF
- Use the glossary of terms. Terms that appear in the glossary are bolded in the survey text, and it can be found at the top of the page at the following link: GLOSSARY
- We strongly recommend that you keep a printed copy of this survey for your files. You will receive a confirmation email with a PDF version of this survey when the survey has been successfully submitted (to the email address you entered on the Certification page).
- Contact Research@dca.ga.gov with any questions.
ALL of the sections and questions must be completed and/or updated before the survey can be submitted.
Contacts. Have you updated our
CONTACTS DATABASE?
This allows us to contact you and other government officials with reminders about compliance and survey due dates.
SECTION I: MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS
To answer some of the questions in Section I, you may need to consult the persons most knowledgeable about your government's administrative functions and record keeping. This may include the Clerk, Manager, Administrative Assistant or Executive Assistant, Personnel Director, Accountant and/or Appraiser.
The following questions contain several management functions that may be undertaken by local governments. The key below provides the numerous ways that a local government may provide these functions. Please check the appropriate box with the answer that best describes how your government handles each function.
Key:
A - Your government directly
B - Agreement with other local government or governments which may include city governments, county governments and/or a local government authority
C - Agreement with Regional Commission (RC)
D - Agreement with private provider
E - Combination of the above methods
F - Function not provided
101. Accounts Payable/Receivable
102. Archiving & Historical Data
103. Collecting and Maintaining Land Use Data
104. Geographic Information Systems
106. Law Enforcement Records
107. Maintaining Court Records
112. Utility Bill Preparation
114. Elections (How Held)
SECTION II: SERVICES PROVIDED
To answer some of the questions in Section II, you may need to consult the persons most knowledgeable about the services available in your jurisdiction. This may include the Manager, Budget Officer, Social/Human Services Officer, Public Works Director and/or Solid Waste Director.
The following list contains several services provided that may be undertaken by local governments. The key below provides the numerous ways that a local government may provide these functions. Please check or fill in the appropriate box with the answer choice that best describes how your government handles each function.
Key:
A - Your government directly (e.g., emergency medical service provided by your government's employees)
B - Local government authority (e.g., emergency medical service provided by an authority associated with your government)
C - Agreements with other local government(s) (e.g., emergency medical service provided by a contract with other local governments)
D - Contract with private provider (e.g., emergency medical service provided by private entity through contract with your local government)
E - Service available, but not through local government (e.g., emergency medical service available in your jurisdiction, but without involvement by your government)
F - Service not available (e.g., emergency medical service not available in your jurisdiction)
204. Construction and Code Enforcement
205. Emergency Medical Services
208. Health Screening Services
214. Senior Citizen Program
215. Wastewater Collection
216. Wastewater Treatment
219C. Street & Road Services
220. Are any of the services listed in the preceding list provided on a regional basis, meaning through service delivery arrangements that extend beyond county lines?
SECTION III: PUBLIC FACILITIES
To answer some of the questions in Section III, you may need to consult the persons most knowledgeable about the public facilities in your jurisdiction. This may include the Manager, Budget Officer, Social/Human Services Officer, Recreation Director, Public Works Director, Sheriff or Police Chief.
The following list contains several facilities that local governments may provide. Check or fill in the box provided with the answer choice that best describes the facilities available in your jurisdiction and how they are provided. DO NOT provide information on private facilities that are not open to the general public, such as private golf courses, tennis courts or swimming pools. Please check or fill in the appropriate box using the key below:
Key:
A - Your government directly (e.g., airport provided by your government alone)
B - Local government authority (e.g., airport provided by an airport authority associated with your government)
C - Agreements with other local government(s) (e.g., airport provided by two or more governments)
D - Contract with private provider (e.g., airport provided by private entity through contract with your local government)
E - Facility available, but not through local government (e.g., airport available in your jurisdiction, but without involvement by your government)
F - Facility not available (e.g., airport not available in your jurisdiction)
302. Biking, Hiking, Multi-use, and/or Jogging Trails
305. Correctional Institute
310. Neighborhood Playgrounds / Playground Equipment
311. Outdoor Courts (Such as Basketball, Tennis, Volleyball)
312. Outdoor Fields (Such as Baseball, Football, Soccer)
314. Recreation Center and/or Gym
315. Senior Citizens Center
318. Are any of the services listed in the preceding list operated regionally, meaning they are operated by entities that cross county lines?
SECTION IV: PLANNING, ZONING, AND DEVELOPMENT PROCEDURE
To answer some of the questions in Section IV, you may need to consult the persons most knowledgeable about the government's planning and zoning functions. Examples include the Manager/Administrator, Planning and Zoning Director, Community Development Director, Attorney, Clerk, and/or Planner.
401. Does your government have a planning commission?
403. Who has the primary responsibility for administering and enforcing the
zoning ordinance?
- City/County Manager or Administrator
- Council/Commission/Chairperson
- City/County Manager or Administrator
407. Do you have a policy or requirement that the
comprehensive plan be amended whenever the future land-use map is amended?
408. Does your government use building codes?
409-417. Which of the following codes does your local government enforce? Select All That Apply
- Residential Code
- Property Maintenance Code
- Existing Building Code
- Building Code
418-425A. Which of the following has your local government adopted? Select all that apply
- Historic Preservation Ordinance
- Subdivision Regulations
426. Are developers required to pay
impact fees (other than normal water/sewer tap on fees)? These fees are imposed to recover some of the cost of infrastructure improvements needed for new residents or business growth
434. Does your local government plan to collect
impact fees in the near future?
SECTION V: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
To answer some of the questions in Section V, you may need to consult the persons most knowledgeable about the government's financial management practices. Examples include the Manager/Administrator, Clerk and Budget or Finance Officer.
501. By law, who is the designated
budget officer for the government (O.C.G.A. § 36-81-4)?
502. Who has the responsibility for preparing the annual
operating budget for approval?
504. Does your government maintain a comprehensive capital budget for the acquisition of major fixed assets and/or infrastructure? (NOTE: This question applies to general government operations. DO NOT check "Yes" if you maintain a capital budget only for specific activities such as solid waste management or water/sewer, gas delivery, etc.)
506. Does your government have a written
investment policy to govern investment activities?
527. Does your government receive revenues from a
local option sales tax (LOST) authorized in state law (O.C.G.A. § 48-8-82)?
528-533. How was your government's share of the
local option sales tax (LOST) determined? (Select all that apply)
- Service Delivery Responsibilities to Resident Population
- Any Coordinated Agreement of County and City Service Delivery and Financing
- Population
- Cultural, Recreational or Historic Facility
- Roads, Streets, and Bridges
- Public Safety Facilities and Related Equipment
- Water or Sewer
552. Does your government collect a business or
occupation tax authorized in state law (O.C.G.A. § 48-13-6)?
553-556. Which method is used to assess your
occupation tax? (Select all that apply)
558. Does your government have
regulatory fees? These fees are revenues assessed by local governments on businesses and occupations to help defray the cost incurred by the local government to regulate those businesses.
559. Does your government have user fees? This is a non-tax revenue that may only be collected from those people who use the service.
SECTION VI: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
To answer some of the questions in Section VI, you may need to consult the persons most knowledgeable about the government's economic development activities. Examples include the Manager, Economic or Community Development Director, Administrator and Clerk.
NOTE: The information reported will be used in the aggregate to identify trends rather than to specifically identify practices of a particular local government. Local governments have a variety of methods they can use to attract and retain industry in their community. Whatever strategy is used, the specific incentive offered to industry can vary depending on the type of industry, number of jobs created, industry trends, etc. The questions below ask about the mix of incentives that local governments may use.
How often does your government use the following incentives in attracting new industry to locations in your community?
Using the following key, mark the space for the letter choice:
A - Never
B - Sometimes
C - Most of the time
D - Always
608. Land (At Little or no Cost)
609. Local or Regional Low-interest or Deferred Payment Loans
610. State Grants and Loans
611. Federal Grants and Loans
615. Utilities at Little or no Cost
616. Commitment of Additional Local Government Services
618. Expedited Permitting
619. Waiver of Regulations
620. Waiver or Reduction of Required Fees or Assessments
621. Other (Please Specify)
How often does your government use the following incentives in encouraging the retention and expansion of existing industry?
Using the following key, mark the space for the letter choice:
A - Never
B - Sometimes
C - Most of the time
D - Always
622. Land (At Little or no Cost)
623. Local or Regional Low-interest or Deferred Payment Loans
624. State Grants and Loans
625. Federal Grants and Loans
629. Utilities at Little or no Cost
630. Commitment of Additional Local Government Services
632. Expedited Permitting
633. Waiver of Regulations
634. Waiver or Reduction of Required Fees or Assessments
635. Other (Please Specify)
638.
SECTION VI: CONTINUED:
Does your government collect the additional
ad valorem tax (up to three mills), authorized by state law, for the purposes of financial assistance to your municipal or multi-jurisdictional development authorities as prescribed in O.C.G.A. § 48-5-350?
641. SECTION VI CONTINUED:
Does your government have a constitutional development authority?
643. If your government does not levy the additional mill(s) of
ad valorem tax (as prescribed in O.C.G.A. § 48-5-220 [county] / § 48-5-350 [municipal]), does your government support economic development through the budget process?
644. Which range indicates your government's level of financial support?
SECTION VII: PUBLIC SAFETY
To answer some of the questions in Section VII, you may need to consult the persons most knowledgeable about public safety functions in your government. Examples include the Police Chief, Sheriff, Fire Chief and Public Safety Director.
701. Does your government operate a police department? Please check "No" if the sheriff's office provides all law enforcement services in your jurisdiction.
702. SECTION VII: CONTINUED
What is the method of providing handguns to sworn law enforcement personnel?
703. For the majority of the patrol officers, which of the following shift hours are they primarily assigned?
704. Does the police department have a "One Car, One Driver Rule" where each vehicle is the responsibility of one officer?
SECTION VII: CONTINUED
How many police vehicles does your city police department normally have in use for:
705A. General Law, Investigations, or Traffic Enforcement
705B. SWAT or Special Tactics Operations ONLY
705C. Parking Patrol ONLY
What is the total number of certified officers with arrest powers normally employed by your city police department?
715.
SECTION VII CONTINUED:
Does your government operate a
jail? Please include only those facilities that hold persons for more than four hours
718. What is your government's
fire classification rating (ISO rating)?
To answer this question you may need to consult the fire chief. If there is more than one rating, indicate the rating that covers most of the area in your jurisdiction.
719. How many fire stations does your government support totally or in part with taxes? (Enter '0', if none)
720. Does your fire department use volunteers for firefighting duties?
SECTION VIII: FORM OF GOVERNMENT
804. How is the mayor elected/appointed?
805. Excluding the mayor, how are members of the city council elected?
806. Excluding the mayor, how many seats are there on the city council?
807. Under which of the following structures does your city operate?
807A. Is the mayor full-time?
808. What are the term lengths for your governments elected positions?
809. When does your government hold elections?
810. What are your government's qualifications for holding elected office? (E.g. age limits, residency limits, etc.)
901. Does your government maintain an official website where vital activities of your government are presented?
902. Please provide the web address:
903-909. What online services does your government's website offer? (Select all that apply)
- General Information
- Utility Bill Payments
- Pay Fines
912. Does your government maintain a general email address for broad-spectrum concerns or information from the public? (i.e. cityhall@xyz.com or cityofgeorgia@xyz.org)
914. Are official council/commission meetings live-streamed on the internet for the public to see?
SECTION X: CERTIFICATION
The undersigned certify to the following:
A: The information contained herein represents, to the best of my knowledge, accurate responses regarding operations within this city/county/consolidated
government.
B: Members of the appropriate governing body (board of commissioners or city council) have been given opportunity to review this information for accuracy.
C: The chief administrative officer for the local government has been given the opportunity to review this information for accuracy.
C4. Name of Chief Elected Official
C5. Title of Chief Elected Official:
C6. Chief Elected Official Email:
mpatterson@cityofporterdale.com
C7. Name of Person Completing Survey:
C8. Title of Person Completing Survey:
C11. Contact Email Address (NOTE: A confirmation email will be sent to this address)
vshort@cityofporterdale.com
C13. By signing below, I certify that the information included on the previous pages is complete and accurate.
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