Commission Discusses Personnel Concerns

The Jasper County Board of Commissioners (BOC) Monday did something unusual, or actually they didn’t do something. They did not go into closed or “executive” session during Monday’s regular meeting.

They did, however, discuss several personnel issues in public. (The law only allows them to close for deliberations, and then it is not necessary.)

Human Resources and the Public Works Department requested a public works department employee to get $1 an hour raise for being promoted from Equipment Operator to Lead Operator. On the summary page prepared by the county manager, the background of the request said, “The commission has established a policy that due to budget constraints any pay raises need to be approved by BOC action.” The board approved the promotion and raise.

Later in the meeting, Commissioners discussed the hiring and firing of department heads. Commissioner Mary Patrick said she thought theBOC should have the final say in hiring and firing of department heads. Commissioner Carl Pennamon asked how that would affect the BOC serving as an appeals board. Commissioner Jack Bernard said “My opinion is this board should hire county manger and assistant county manager.” He went on to say hiring a department head is not a policy decision.

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Commissioner Patrick said she would agree of they hadn’t had so many problems. She said the county manager has caused us problems—EMS is a prime example. (The commissioners moved the Emergency Medical Service from being supervised by the County Manager to be supervised entirely by the Assistant County Manager.)

County Attorney Jim Alexander said he didn’t really see a problem with the BOC having the final say in hiring, but said if the BOC has the final say in firing, it would have to name an appeals board.

After considerable discussion, Commissioner Patrick’s motion failed.

Then, still on personnel, the BOC members discussed compensation for some department heads. Commissioner Pennamon said Arthurene Davis was transferred to run the Senior Center seven years ago, and promised a raise, which she has never gotten.

“She deserves a raise,” he said. He said he thought she was getting a raise when they set the last budget. He went on to say that participation at the center had nearly doubled in her time there. Commission Chairman Alan Cox he thought she got a raise.

Commissioner Bernard questioned when the commissioners would be looking at salaries as part of the budget process.

Commissioner Pennamon said when the EMS director left, we gave permission by e-mail to give the fire chief a $500 a month supplement to take over. He said staff needs to look at all department heads. Commissioner Patrick said she did not vote on that e-mail; it is wrong.

Commissioner Bernard said if we’re going to give raises anywhere, it needs clarification. We need to know the job description and what it’s worth to us. Commissioner Cox agreed that they should discuss it during budget time. Commissioner Pennamon made a motion to give Mrs. Davis a $500 supplement to be consistent with others who have been promoted.

Commissioner Patrick said she doesn’t like giving somebody $500 a month for an interim period. Commissioner Bernard said that it should be done comprehensively. Otherwise, the tail is wagging the dog again. They voted not to give the supplement.

Then, Commissioner Pennamon made a motion to withdraw the supplement from the Planning & Zoning Director and Fire Chief. Commissioner Hill seconded. Commissioner Bernard said he would like to know more before voting.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and assistant county manager Lorri Smith said that when the P&Z department head left, Code Enforcement Officer Raymond Rogers was given $400 and P&Z clerk Sherry Braley $375 monthly supplements.

Since then, Mr. Rogers has left the county’s employment. Commissioner Patrick said the fire chief was just given a large increase when the county reorganized and made him department head under the EMS department. Commissioners voted 3-2 to withdraw those supplements, with Commissioners Bernard and Cox voting against.

Commissioner Patrick then made a motion to reinstate the supplement for Ms. Braley, but the motion failed.

In other action at Monday’s meeting, commissioners:

•Agreed to rent a patching machine for about $3,000 a month until proposals could be received on purchasing the machine. Funds will come from the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) passed last November.

•Debated whether to put triple-surface-treatment on Deerfield Farms Road. Commissioners have one price to resurface the part that is already paved and another price to pave the part that is currently dirt. Commissioner Bernard said when he talked to people on that road, they did not want the road paved. After much discussion, commissioners agreed to use the Emergency Notification System to contact the people on that road to determine their desires.

•Heard an apology from Commissioner Patrick before approving last month’s minutes. She had commented that the county attorney, Jim Alexander apparently made $6,000 on refinancing the bonds fro the Four County Development Authority, but indeed he only made $2,700.

•Discussed a conflict of interest with the building inspector and persons building. Commissioner Patrick said that she had received complaints that the inspector would not approve buildings unless the people used the contractors he recommended.

•Asked Mrs. Smith to provide more information on the CPA firms that bid on doing Jasper County’s audit.

•Agreed to allow 911 Director Melissa Slocumb to go to bid for the improvements required for the narrow banding which is a federal mandate. They also authorized Mrs. Smith to shop for loans for the equipment.

•Adamantly denied any consideration of getting a county credit card so that items could be purchased on it rather than by an employee who then has to be reimbursed. Mrs. Smith indicated she thought the paper trail would be easier to follow. Commissioners totally rejected the idea.

Before Monday’s regular meeting, commissioners had a work session on roads, just as they have for the two previous meetings. This time, however, Public Works Director Will Brown presented a slide show on best practices and talked to the commissioners about what he is doing at PWD. He explained how roads should be built and how the motor graders move around the county. He blamed the condition of the bad roads as being caused by years of mismanagement and poor technique.

Then they took road priorities off the meeting agenda.

During citizen comments, Julia Haar said, “I am not at war with the Board of Commissioners. I am simply challenging the board to become accountable and transparent with the community with regard to their actions and decisions made regarding the community they serve.”

Cheryl Nowetner asked when is the animal control committee going to meet.

Charles Forsythe asked for an inventory of road equipment to be published.