Council Increases Tap Fees and Lowers Speed Limit
Monticello City Council members Bryan Standifer, Jacqueline Smith, Glenn Newsome, and Mayor Susan Holmes kept business brief and their votes unanimous Tuesday evening while approving a wide range of city government issues.
No public input was provided for or against either of the two issues placed before council during a public hearing prior to the regular business session.
The first of the hearings was regarding a resolution to raise water and sewer tap fees. The second was for an amendment to reduce the speed limit from 35 to 25 miles per hour on the portion of Funderburg Drive that extends from Sanders Height to the city limits. Both issues later met with approval from the council.
The Monticello Police Department policies and procedures manual, presented by Police Chief Dan Norris, was also approved by the council. Chief Norris said that the manual “allows officers to know how to follow the law.” The document covers a wide range of topics including ethics, sexual harassment, arrest procedures, search of female suspects, and training among varied topics, according to a memo included in the council’s informational packet.
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According to the police chief the document was composed and implemented in May 2001 and since that time had withstood two lawsuits. Prior to its approval, council members inquired as to why they were reviewing the document now if it was implemented five years ago. Chief Norris merely said he just wanted their approval.
Councilwoman Smith had good news to report about Funderburg Park funding. She said that Antoinette Norfleet of the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources had notified her that a $65,000 matching grant was available for the park.
Mrs. Smith suggested that funds be used to complete a portion of the phase two construction which is for the installation of tennis courts. She also requested that council vote to include the grant’s local match in the 2007-2008 budget as a line item, to be replaced by SPLOST funds once received. The request was approved.
Additionally approved by council was a resolution to adopt the comprehensive plan for Jasper County and the City of Monticello as well as the ratification of the city’s 6.596 millage rate approved last month.
In financial business, council approved September payables in the amount of $867,229 to various vendors.
In the absence of a monthly financial report, city manager Hugh King said, per auditor Mark Hardison, that the 2005 audit should be complete for presentation to the council at the October meeting. Following that Mr. King said the 2006 audit process would likely be completed much quicker.
Council members clarified any misconceptions about the employment of Reggie Grant with Trinity Advisors, LLC. The financial consultant will continue to work with the city of Monticello on its financial analysis until the completion of the 2005 audit.
During the city manager’s report, Mr. King provided an update on the SPLOST collections. The first $1.2 million of funds collected will go to the county government for level two county-wide projects including the new high school turning lane, paving 10 roads and funding for the Perimeter Road Hwy. 380.
After the initial $1.2 million is collected, the county will receive 76 percent, Monticello will receive 21 percent and Shady Dale will receive 3 percent of the funds. With the current rate of collections, per county manager Greg Williams, Mr. King said the city should receive approximately $50,000 during the last three months of 2007.
The city manager’s report also included an update on a planned Dept. of Transportation four county study. The study’s purpose is to examine transportation improvements needed in each of the counties. The study advisory group will make a local visit Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. in the Jasper County Courthouse with a public workshop to follow in November.
Mr. King also advised the council of the family medical leave act updates and a Hillsboro Street zoning compliance issue.
With regard to water restrictions, council agreed to eliminate the outdoor watering ban as a result of the plentiful rains while also adhering to the state guidelines.
To that end, the city manager reported that the subcommittees of the city council and Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority conducted a recent meeting to discuss the Cedar Creek well project.
No citizen’s input was given and council comments were minimal prior to adjournment.