Proposed County Budget is $7.8 Million
The Jasper County Commission voted Monday for Chief Financial Officer Lorri Smith to move forward with advertising the proposed budget of $7,852,876 (see page 6).
After several budget meetings over the past few weeks, commissioners voted 3-2 to move forward with the proposal.
The dissenting votes came from Commission Vice-Chairman Alan Cox and Commissioner Jack Bernard who were in favor of levying a per household tax assessment of $100 to fund fire and the Emergency Medical Service. They say that would alleviate the burden on property owners, as everyone would pay the assessment. By raising the millage rate, persons who property values did not fall much may end up paying more taxes, whereas those whose property values decreased substantially will see a tax decrease.
If commissioners had chosen to do the assessment, large property owners of unimproved lots and public utilities would not have to pay the assessment, it would just be for dwellings.
The commissioners made several budget cuts, attempting to prevent having to raise taxes. The millage rate, which is slightly higher than last year’s is not enough to constitute a tax increase.
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Basically, the millage rate was increased enough to make up for the values lost as property values went down. Therefore a total millage rate of 15.375 will actually produce slightly less income than last year’s millage rate.
Commissioners spent much time debating the finances, as some were adamant about cutting taxes, and others did not want to cut services.
Also at Monday’s meeting, commissioners approved a payment increase to Advanced Disposal Service which will increase the fee consumers have to pay. They plan to set that fee at the next meeting.
ADS also has plans to offer single stream recycling services where consumers would take their recyclable items to the landfill at particular times.
The commissioners also approved verbiage for a referendum that would allow Sunday sales of alcohol in the county if the people vote for it. That referendum presumably will take place with a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) vote this November.
Commissioners also learned that the work on Hodges Farm Road was nearly complete, and had been done to the satisfaction of Commissioner Cox, and that the work on Feldspar Road should be completed this week.
The county manager reported that the city of Monticello would not agree to proposal put forth by the county to divide SPLOST funds and LOST funds the same way. The city currently gets 30 percent of LOST funds, but it must be re-negotiated next year. The city said it would lose too much revenue if it agreed with the county’s proposal.
The commissioners approved a bid for a tub grinder to grind up trees downed by the recent tornado. Cummings was the only bidder, and the work was awarded to them.
Commissioners also agreed to replace Dr. Shannon Barton on the county Board of Health with Dr. Kenny Blake.
Commissioners spent some times discussing engineering services. Some thought that the county had agreed to use Michelle Jackum Ott, and others thought Ms. Ott was chosen only to oversee the Lane Road project.
After much discussion, commissioners agreed to advertise for qualifications, and in the meantime use the services of Ms. Ott who, according to discussion, charges a reasonable fee and does not charge mileage.
