Commissioners Hear Criticism

Jasper County Commissioners received some criticism at their public hearing on the budget Monday, but more was directed at this year’s expenditures and actions.

Jack Bernard, the new County Commissioner elected from District 3, who has publicly described himself as the incoming county commission chairman, submitted two letters to the current commission concerning the current budget status and pending zoning hearings.

He presented both at Monday’s meeting. The strongest said:

“We note with dismay that we are behind schedule in regard to sending out tax bills to our residents. It would appear that there will be inadequate funds to operate the county in January when we take office.

“At the same time, we note that there are a series of optional expenditures listed on this week’s agenda including: trucks for Public Works; an ambulance; and patrol vehicles. Timing of these requests is questionable.

“We ask that the County Commission defer any action on these various requests until after the first of the year when our revenue picture is clear and the new commission is on-board. Thank You.”

The letter was signed by Bob Yarbrough and Greg Johnson, two other new incoming commissioners in addition to Mr. Bernard.

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The new commissioners take office January 1, 2005.

The current commissioners moved forward with action to purchase a sheriff’s patrol vehicle that was already in the budget for 2004, and also agreed to seek the best prices for a new ambulance. A lease/purchase payment for $25,000 has been budgeted for next year for that item.

In addition, the commissioners agreed to purchased three trucks for public works. The state contract bid is $15,320, and there is $40,214 available in the capital outlay budget for that purchase.

Commissioners also approved expenditure of funds to do plumbing repairs at the jail. The repairs will be paid for with funds in the “jail fund,” thereby not affecting the general fund. They discussed the purchase of more vehicles with Sheriff Roper, but did not take any further action.

The commission also approved a bid to resurface County Line Road from Henderson Mill to Rocky Creek, by a 3-2 vote, but denied a motion that paving be done on a stretch of Pitts Chapel Road.

Since no bids were received to paint the Courthouse annex, commissioners agree to have their personnel paint the building, and approved the bid for carpet received last month.

They also agreed to change the name of Cut Thru Street to Wingate Way at the request of Mrs. Donna Whidby.

The commission denied a rezoning request submitted by Allen McGinnis to rezone 50.17 acres ion Hwy. 11 north between Wild Road and Shepherd Road. Several neighbors appeared for the second month in a row to object to the rezoning request. Mr. McGinnis was not present to answer concerns.

They also tabled a request by Tony Shiver to rezone 53+ acres of a 70 acre tract in the 800 block of Long Piney Road. There was much discussion about Mr. Shiver, and another developer down the road, Ray Gardner, paving much of the road, but since Mr. Gardner was not present and no agreement has been reached yet, commissioners tabled any action on that.

Commissioners voted to have Sharon Robinson be the contact person in the Commissioners office for items that needed attention in the absence of a county administrator. Monday was Phil Peevy’s last day on the job. He submitted his resignation two weeks ago, and will begin work elsewhere. Mrs. Robinson is to first contact Commission Chairman Russell Bennett with any concerns that need immediate attention and are beyond her realm of expertise.

Commissioners also appointed Bob Harden to serve on the zoning board until a replacement can be named.

Budget Hearing

Charles Forsythe was the first to speak at the budget hearing. His first comment was that copies of the entire budget should be available to the interested public free of charge, and perhaps one posted at the public library.

He questioned why the retirement expense in the administration portion of the budget had increased so dramatically. Mr. Peevy explained there was more participation in the program than previously, and that several employees had recently become vested.

He also objected to funding the Four-County Development Authority. He asked for a copy of the audit, and was told he could get one.

Mrs. Mary Patrick spoke next. She said she had looked at several of the independent audits, and did not see one for the Four County Authority.

She questioned the amount budgeted for legal fees. She said she thought $12,000 was under budget. With the number of lawsuits they have pending she said, it seems they would budget more. Commissioners said two of the lawsuits, the Manning one and the Ellis one were both supposed to be handled in December.

She questioned the budgeted 18 percent no-pay rate for curbside pick-up, wondering why it is so high. Mrs. Peggy Billerman explained how the court process has changed and how changing the billing earlier this year had hurt the collection process.

She wanted to know about extra funds for the Health Department. Mr. Peevy explained the health department is hoping to get a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to build a new building, and the additional funding is the county’s match.

She also again questioned the $20,000 supplement that Chief Magistrate Ken Jackson receives. She said that the county is not required to give that supplement, and at the beginning of his new term in January it could be done away with.

Mrs. Patrick says he is not in the office regularly, and he is being paid here while working elsewhere.

Mrs. Patrick also asked if the commission knew the approximate value of the digest, but received no answer. Chief Appraiser Brac Bohannon, Tax Commissioner Merry Faulkner, and the commissioners were all the in the room, but no one came forth with the information.

Commissioner Greg Wyatt thanked the department heads for coming to the budget hearing and for developing good budgets. The commission set another budget hearing and adoption for Monday, Nov. 15, at 6 p.m.

Commissioner Charles Hill approached the board about advertising for a new administrator so that the new board that takes office in January would not have to begin that process then. They talked about it some, but no action was taken.

Mr. Bernard came before them and asked that after the make-up of the new board was determined the next day, that the new board members serve as a search committee. He also presented his letter about not having money to begin a new year.

Mr. Forsythe asked the commissioners what happened to the Department Transportation officials coming to the meeting to discuss the Perimeter Road right-of-way issue. Commissioner Chairman Russell Bennett said he thought DOT was wavering on its position and they were still waiting for an answer.

Mr. Forsythe also asked the commissioners if they were aware that the reappraisal firm they hired did not have licensed appraisers doing the work? The commissioners had little comment.

Commissioners expressed appreciation and support to Mr. Peevy, wishing him well upon his departure.