When it comes to the Hall County Board of Commissioners, three is the magic number.

Three votes on the five-member board is considered a majority needed to pass motions, making the addition of two commissioners in January certain to change the dynamic of the board.

Just five meetings remain before incumbent commissioners Bobby Banks and Steve Gailey leave at the end of the year.

Scott Gibbs, a Republican from North Hall, runs unopposed in November for the District 3 seat Gailey has occupied since 2003. Republican Craig Lutz and Democrat Paul Wayne Godfrey are vying for Bobby Banks' District 1 seat to represent South Hall.

There likely are issues the current board will try to accomplish before the end of the year, and other topics the remaining commissioners will choose to hold off on until the new commissioners are sworn in.

At Wednesday's work session, for example, Gailey chose to postpone the District 3 library board appointment so Gibbs could make the selection.

But he plans to bring up retirement benefits before he rides off into the sunset.

Last year, Hall County stopped contributing to employees' retirement accounts as a way to combat low tax revenue. Gailey said he would like to discuss ways to restart contributions for the public safety sector.

"One of the goals I've had is looking at what we can do for public safety personnel," Gailey said. "You've got some employees that can do their job until they're 65 and then some in the public safety area that can't do that."

Gailey is a realist, however.

"That's something I'd like to get addressed, but of course it takes three to tango," he said.

Gailey said he does not want to leave much unfinished business for Gibbs to deal with in 2011.

"We're trying to put together a smooth transition," Gailey said.

Gailey said he is confident Gibbs will have his own style of leadership.

"There are going to be changes, I can assure you," Gailey said.

Commissioner Ashley Bell said he thinks the new members will provide a fresh start for the county.

"What I look forward to with two new commissioners is we'll probably have a better chance of starting anew with cities like Gainesville and Clermont by trying to settle our differences at the conference room table instead of the courtroom," Bell said.

Bell thinks people in Hall County are ready to see some changes in their government, and two new commissioners will provide a "completely different dynamic."

Last week, Gainesville officials anticipated change when they sent a letter to county officials about mediation over the Cedar Creek reservoir.

Mayor Pro Tem Danny Dunagan said the city is committed to the mediation process, but wants the formal process to begin only after the new slate of commissioners takes office in January.

"We just think that if the mediation process drags on past the first of the year, (the incoming commissioners) won't be up to speed on it," he said. "They may be asked to vote on something they aren't really familiar with. So we want to wait until they are in office.

Bell said he hopes commission changes will prevent using taxpayer money to sue other entities.

"It'll probably be a more concerted effort to make sure that what we do is transparent, that what we do is above board and that we make sure to make our best effort to take care of taxpayer dollars by not wasting them, especially wasting them by suing other entities," Bell said. "Hopefully put some issues of the past behind us and move forward in a way that is cost-effective and transparent."

Commission Chairman Tom Oliver said there likely will be some disruption in the beginning for the new commission.

"There definitely will be some differences," Oliver said. "I think interaction will change, more so to start with for the first several months than after we've been there and worked together. You'll find the chemistry will tend to blend and everybody will do what they think is best for the county as a whole and for their constituents."

County Administrator Charley Nix said he is prepared to get the new commissioners up to speed on the many issues facing the county.

"Change is always inevitable," Nix said. "That's especially true in politics."
Nix said the new commissioners are coming in at an especially difficult time for the county. The county is in its third year of austerity cuts and the economy is showing few signs of improvement.

"They'll probably face some tough decisions next year," Nix said.

From the staff's point of view, it will be business as usual, though.

"We're prepared to go whatever direction they choose for us to go," Nix said. "Staff takes three commission votes. We take the projects they vote on and make them happen."

Staff writer Brandee Thomas contributed to this report.