Commissioners Approve Re-Zoning
The Jasper County Commission approved a rezoning for Farrar Log and Lumber and heard a presentation on impact fees during their regular mid-month meeting Monday evening.
Chris Anderson, planning director, presented information that he had gathered about municipalities and counties that levy impact fees. He stressed that the fees can only be used to cover infrastructure costs associated with the growth. He also cited a newspaper article from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution from September on the topic.
He mentioned that Henry County tacks some $1661.50 to each new home to pay impact fees. Commissioner Greg Johnson quickly did the math to calculate how much that would bring into Jasper County. Mr. Anderson said he would be meeting with a consultant Tuesday to learn more.
The commissioners received a report from County Manager Greg Williams that he had met with the new area manager for Advanced Disposal. That representative will likely be at the next County Commission meeting with a proposal for the county. The county has been trying to get the company to address service issues.
During the agenda comment portion of the meeting, Cheryl Nowetner spoke about the garbage pick-up problems, and asked Commissioner Chairman Jack Bernard when he was going to do something about it. She reminded him he ran on a platform of action not excuses, and said she had not seen the action. She intimated that he was more concerned about constituents in Turtle Cove than elsewhere.
Mr. Bernard assured Mrs. Nowetner that he was aware of the problem and he was addressing it. He said that four weeks in a row “they threw my garbage in the ditch.” He said he was working with a contract that had no performance penalties. He said all areas are inadequately served. “I represent the whole county,” he said.
After some discussion, commissioners agreed to a letter of agreement with the Carl Vinson Institute for a classification system and compensation plan to be done next year. The commissioners were in agreement that it was needed, but the cost to the county is $14,500.
Greg Johnson said he wanted to know where the money would come from to fund the study. Finally, they voted to approve it if the county manager can show them where the money will come from in the budget.
In other action, commissioners:
•Named Tate Turner of Hillsboro to the Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority. Allen Platt resigned from the authority, and the authority recommended David Dyer of Hillsboro for the vacancy.
•Approved a resolution expressing concern about the exercise of eminent domain.
•Agreed to sign a resolution for an Economic Development grant as long as it did not require any county funding.
•Learned that a tentative date of December 17 had been set for a retreat for the board. The facilitator will contact the board members individually to get concerns so the agenda can be set.
•Discussed a letter from Francis Cason about the county’s policy of accepting roads.
The commissioners adjourned the meeting after an hour, without going into closed session. Their attorney, John Nix, was not present. Instead, an associate from the firm was present.
