County Signs Agreement with Water Authority

The Jasper County Commissioners Monday approved an intergovernmental agreement between the county and the Jasper County Water and Sewer Authority (JCWSA) to pay $50,000 toward the fire hydrant tax which the county will recoup over the next 11 years as the people in the special fire district pay the arrearage.

The action was discussed much last month, and has been a topic of discussion for years. The county is hoping that this will clear any lingering questions about the county and the JCSWA agreement, a topic that has been in contention since 2002.

Under the agreement, the county will pay $50,000 to JCSWA, and the tax commissioner will turn over all monies collected for the special fire district to the county. The county will then pay JCWSA its current year payment and keep the remainder. In 11 years, the $50,000 would be back in the county’s coffers, according to discussion.

The commissioners also named three members to the JCWSA—Charles Green Jr., Robert A. Cooley and Ken McMichael.

In other appointments, commissioners named David Dyer as the citizen representative to the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission (NEGRC).

The commissioners heard from Sheriff Donnie Pope about the need to replace 50 Glock weapons which are 20 years old. He explained that he could purchase new weapons for not much more than it would cost to fix the old ones. He plans to sell the old ones at auction after the replacements are in. The money brought from auction would offset the cost of the new weapons, and would remain in the sheriff’s budget. The board gave its unanimous approval the plan.

The commissioners also approved purchasing a new server after the server for the Board of Commissioners experienced a “catastrophic failure” the first weekend this month. The cost to replace it will be about $4,000. In addition, they approved up to $1,000 for data recovery for Planning & Zoning.

In other action, commissioners:

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•Heard from Glenn Newsome, chair of the Jasper County Library Board about the extended use of the library since the county and others increased funding so the library can be open seven days a week.

•Approved online tax payments.

•Approved a new uniform contract for Public Works Department.

•Approved the senior center food service contract.

•Approved a new copier lease.

•Discussed replacing Deer Capital signs. County Manager Karen Degges said she would check with the Department of Corrections about making some signs, and possibly even selling them.

•Heard from the county manager that the county had been turned into the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for allegedly operating the landfill without a certified operator in place. Ms. Degges said that Mary Patrick and former landfill director Ken Tillman made the allegation. She said the county did nothing wrong. The county accepts refuse in the convenience center at the landfill on Saturdays but does not place anything in the cells. The conty has approval from EPD to do that.

•Learned that there will be a public hearing on the future recreation plan next Monday, Aug. 18, at 6 p.m. at the Commissioners’ meeting room.