Proposed changes in their neighborhoods drew many people to Thursday’s Hall County commission meeting.

During the first reading and public hearing to consider a county-run street light system in the Country Walk subdivision, some residents spoke up about their concerns.

Because the county would be managing the street lights, fees would be included in neighbors’ taxes. Residents of the neighborhood currently pay $80 a year in dues to keep up lights and landscaping, and some worried that they would be paying two entities for one service. Others said they were upset they weren’t able to sign the neighborhood petition to turn the street light management over to the county.

"This is working in other areas of the county," Chairman Tom Oliver said of the county-run lights.

Residents of Southern Trace Subdivision also voiced their opinions about a proposed no-parking ordinance in the neighborhood. Most of those in attendance said they were fed up with the high volume of cars parked on the streets, which had caused safety issues in the past. But some feared the zero-tolerance rule would prevent them from having guests over or having their lawns landscaped.

Fire Chief David Kimbrell also presented the first reading and public hearing to consider increasing patient transport fees charged by the emergency services department.

Emergency transportation fees have not been increased since 2002, and Kimbrell said the increase would help Hall County collect more revenue from Medicare and Medicaid and stay in line with what other counties charge.

"We’re very low under the surrounding counties," Kimbrell said.