County May Remove Assessors

Jasper County Commissioner Greg Wyatt drew applause from the public at Monday’s regular meeting of the Jasper County Commission, as he suggested removing each member from the Board of Assessors.
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Mr. Wyatt said that he had given the matter a lot of thought and prayer. He said he felt the commission would be within its rights to remove the members for failure to perform.

He asked the county attorney, W. Dan Roberts, to draft a letter to the four members of the board and tell them that a hearing would be held this Friday, Dec. 20—tomorrow—at 9 a.m. for the commission to consider removing the individuals from the board.

Much discussion ensued. Mr. Roberts suggested the way he read the law the assessors are entitled to a hearing before a Superior Court Judge. Mary Patrick of the Taxpayers Watchdog Group tried to explain her interpretation of the law, and provided Mr. Roberts with case law. Several others spoke out their agreement with the motion.

After considerable debate, the commissioners voted 3-2 to send the letter and hold the hearing. Commission Chairman Jerry Crow, Mr. Wyatt and Russell Bennett voted in favor of the motion. Commission vice-chairman Carl Pennamon and commissioner Charles Hill voted against it.
(Tax Assessor Steve Spears resigned from the board recently.)

When Mrs. Patrick addressed the board during the citizen’s comment period, she praised Mr. Wyatt. She complained of the way the tax maintenance office is run as another example of the assessors not doing their job. She said it is “tragic to remain ignorant or indifferent” to the situation.
At the beginning of the meeting, the commissioners heard from Patrick Graham of Applied Technology & Management.

Mr. Graham said the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has shown a willingness to work with Jasper County.

However, he said a vertical expansion over the sanitary landfill would not be allowed. Therefore, the lateral expansion is the best solution, he said. The EPD wants better analysis of the wood fiber content at the landfill before it will rule how the county should handle it. However, it appears likely the county can soon again begin taking the waste from Georgia-Pacific. It would take six months to actually complete the expansion, but the current area may can be overfilled until the expansion is ready.

Commissioners authorized Mr. Graham to move forward. And, commissioners expressed a desire to work with Georgia Pacific as soon as possible, but to first get written permission from the EPD.

Commissioners then voted to change the county’s insurance carrier from Guardian to United. There was some discussion about the benefits, but basically if the patient sees an “in network” doctor or facility he should fare as well or better as before, according to Kelly Fox who is the county’s agent.

The old insurance was instituting a 168 percent increase, and the county will actually see a slight decrease in premiums.

Commissioners opened bids for breathing apparatus for the volunteer firefighters. Jasper County has received a grant with a 90 percent federal match. The bids ranged from $146,000 to more than $200,000.

Commissioners agreed to instruct the County Marshal, Tom Kelly, to get the owner’s permission then proceed onto private property to remove some 200 tires that were dumped there. Mr. Kelly said he was calling in assistance, and would investigate the area in an attempt to determine the perpetrator. He said all signs point to a dealer dumping the tires there.

Mr. Wyatt suggested that all employees be given a $500 bonus on the next paycheck. Commissioner Pennamon pointed out that the money in the budget is for next year, so it would not be appropriate to spend it this year. Furthermore, the money is allocated as a raise. If it is given as a bonus, some felt it would actually do the employees a disservice. After much discussion, no action was taken.

In a Courthouse update, Administrator Phil Peevy told commissioners that the addition was almost complete, and furniture will arrive this week.
Offices are expected to move from the old Courthouse into the new addition over the holidays. The next commission meeting, scheduled for January 6, may be held in the new facility.

New employees for the commission office were announced. Fran Womack began work last week as secretary/receptionist, and Sharon Robinson began work Monday as the financial officer.

When Mrs. Patrick made her remarks she commented that the persons hired didn’t meet the qualifications in the advertisement. She suggested that if the qualifications were going to be lowered, that others might have applied. Mr. Peevy indicated the persons hired were well qualified for the positions.

Cheryl Nowetner spoke to the commissioners about the building inspector. Last month she had made allegations that Jasper County’s building inspector got a permit for a pole barn, but was building a house. She brought pictures to the meeting and asked for an explanation.

Commissioner Wyatt asked Peggy Billerman if she had checked into the allegations, and she said yes. She said her findings were in the hands of the county administrator and human resources officer.

Mr. Peevy said he could not respond because it is a personnel matter.

A standing room only crowd attended Monday’s meeting, apparently made up primarily of interested citizens without personal agendas. A number of them are active in the Taxpayer’s Watchdog Group.