Commission Action Delayed

A meeting of the Jasper County Commission set to consider the fate of members of the Board of Tax Assessors lasted only a short time Friday, as attorney W. Dan Roberts explained to the commissioners the workings of a new law.

An amendment to the Georgia code section 48-5-302 that took effect July 1, 2002 says that a hearing must be held before a Superior Court judge who will make a recommendation. It is then up to the commission to act on that recommendation.
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After discussion, a motion passed 3-2 to move forward. The commission will make a request to the chief judge of the circuit to conduct a hearing. They agreed to have Mr. Roberts continue with the removal process of each member of the Board of Assessors.

Board of Assessors chairman Dennis Dean, and members Ron Richards and Bessie Davis were at the meeting. Mrs. Joan Bell sent a letter requesting more time to prepare for the “hearing.” Assessor Steve Spears has already resigned, and the commissioners accepted his resignation.

In the motion passed by the commission, a limit on attorney’s fees was set. The county will pay no more than it would pay its own attorney for representation, apparently an hourly fee of $100.
About two dozen residents were in attendance at the meeting.

Employees were treated to a holiday lunch by the County Commissioners on December 13, and Monticello Mail and More and the Chamber of Commerce donated door prizes for their lunch.