Tax Commissioner Addresses BOC

The Jasper County Commissioners heard a report from Tax Commissioner Merry Faulkner at their regular meeting Monday.

Mrs. Faulkner read a report (reprinted below) to the commissioners, stating that she had provided all requested reports, and saying that her office is audited by each agency it serves—the city of Monticello, the state of Georgia, Jasper County schools, and Jasper County.

She went on to say it looks bad for Jasper County when she is being bad-mouthed in e-mails from a county commissioner. She said she doesn’t like what’s going on; she has always worked with the commissioners.

Commission Chairman Charles Hill said he thought she had always worked with the commission, and Commissioner Carl Pennamon echoed the same sentiment. Commissioners Alan Cox and Jack Bernard did not address Mrs. Faulkner.

After she completed her presentation, Mr. Bernard asked the county attorney about the list the county requested. County Manager Greg Wood said that the list was provided. Mr. Bernard asked if the tax commissioner had provided the explanation for why each of the persons on the list had not paid his or her taxes, and the county manager said no. Mr. Bernard read the section of the law that requires the tax commissioner to put a reason why each taxpayer hasn’t paid. After some discussion, they agreed the county attorney would get with Mrs. Faulkner to make sure she understands what the commissioners want.
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The listing provided to the commissioners is in their office, and contains nearly 2,000 listings. Some are the same taxpayers listed for three years and many are different taxpayers. Mrs. Faulkner indicated in a later conversation that she did not know why people had not paid their taxes.

The commissioners discussed the purchasing policy and revisions to it. They agreed that future purchases would be let out to bid, and the bids would be opened at the County Commission meetings. Commissioner Pennamon commented that the county bought three-quarters of a million dollars worth of equipment last year without bids, and did not want that to happen again.

The county manager concurred, saying his review of the transaction appeared it was done improperly.

In a discussion of the personnel policy, commissioners discussed how employees can donate sick time to other employees. The county manager explained how he has seen it done, with the pay grade being taken into account, and the commissioner agreed that if it is not a bookkeeping nightmare then that would be the way to go. Mr. Wood said both the person donating and the recipient would have to sign a form.

Commissioners approved an engagement letter for the auditor after questioning certain practices. When the letter was presented last month, Commissioner Mary Patrick (who was not at Monday’s meeting) had requested additional services, including auditing payroll and internal controls. Mark Hardison, the auditor, said that his audit looks at those, and if he sees more detail is needed he would approach the commissioners then, but basically aid that audit is not needed.

Commissioners discussed changes to the occupational license that would make it impossible for a delinquent property taxpayer to get an occupational license. Commissioner Bernard said he is concerned about out of county builders coming in and doing construction and making money while not paying taxes. He said he is tired of “developers not paying taxes.”

There was some discussion that the building permit process may need a little more shoring up also. A property owner already has to be current on taxes to get a building permit, but only on taxes for that parcel.

The county manager asked permission to fill a vacancy at the senior center. One of the employees who had been working full time left after the position reduced to part time. The county manager wanted to know if it was all right to fill the position.

Commissioner Bernard did not understand why he was asking, saying it was within his purview to fill vacant positions.

Sharon Robinson, who was taking the minutes, said that the hiring freeze that the commissioners approved last year clearly applies to all positions—new or replacement. Commissioners approved filling the vacancy.

Melissa Slocumb, 911 and Emergency Management Agency director, came before the board to request permission to go out to bid on the final weather siren/emergency notification system items. Commissioners approved putting the projects out to bid. The local match will be around $3,000 and commissioners were concerned about where the money would come from. Mrs. Slocumb was instructed to contact the fire stations and see if they or their auxiliaries could come up with any of the match. The grant is worth nearly $30,000.

Commissioners approved several 2010 budget amendments to revenues, and finance director Lorri Smith said that would complete what is needed to have accurate end-of-year figures.

At the end of the meeting, commissioners went into closed session to discuss pending litigation and personnel.

Upon re-opening the meeting, they agreed to authorize the county manager to increase pay for some employees no more than $2 an hour as long as it is within the budget.