Commission Eliminates Solid Waste Authority

The Jasper County Commissioners Monday voted to rescind the resolution forming the solid waste authority, and appoint a seven member citizens’ committee to look at solid waste options.

As of Monday’s regular meeting, seven people had volunteered to serve on the Solid Waste Authority, so the commissioners accepted all seven, and did away with the authority which would have included three commissioners. Commission Chair Gene Trammell is going to attempt to draft a mission statement by the time the group meets today, May 7, at 5:15 p.m. so the volunteers will know what they need to study.

Those named to fact finding committee include Mike McClanahan, Marion Whitlow, Warren Camp, Samuel McCowan, Lynn Bentley, J. Ross Hays, and Paul Ledoux.

{{more}}

The action came early in the commission meeting, but after a work session on the budget and after the commissioners had expressed their concerns on various topics.

During the work session, Chief Appraiser Lynn Bentley showed commissioners how different millage rates would affect the tax bills of different property owners. Because most areas in the county saw an increase in values, apparently Ms. Bentley had been tasked to show what would need to happen for a tax bill to remain the same. Ms. Bentley used several examples to show that with the difference in values, no one scenario would cause all tax bills to remain the same.

Ms. Bentley also reminded commissioners that the millage rate affects everyone, and in some scenarios the largest tax payers get the best break if the tax rate is cut.

After her presentation, County Manager Karen Degges gave some budget example scenarios to get the commissioners started on their work for the budget. The first budget work session, where the commissioners hear from department heads, is slated for today, May 7, at 6 p.m. The next work session is slated for Tuesday, May 12, at 6 p.m., and then another is scheduled Thursday, May 14, also at 6 p.m.

During citizen comments, commissioners heard from a resident who is sick of the poor condition of the road she must travel on.

They also heard from the Putnam County Manager about a need for a pavilion at the Putnam-Jasper Training Center, and a plea to help fund it.

During commissioners’ items, Commissioner Carl Pennamon said he was sitting at the corner restaurant one day last month when an ambulance went by and did not stop at the stop sign. He wants the county to take action to make sure that emergency vehicles understand they must stop at stop signs to avoid a collision. He asked the staff to draft a policy statement that affected personnel could sign.

The commissioners also named two people to the Board of Assessors, an item that was added to the agenda Monday. They voted to name Mary Alice Carter and Leonard Davis to the Board of Assessors to bring it up to five members.

Mrs. Bentley questioned if the candidates knew what is involved, as she had not talked with them. She was assured they were aware of the training requirements and were committed to the position.

Finance Director Mike Benton went over the year to date finances in some detail, showing that overall the county is in good financial shape. Commissioner Bruce Henry expressed concern about moving forward with the budget plans when the 2014 audit is not yet in house. Mr. Benton said that he has met with the auditors, and they have a little more to do in the county, then they have to review the audit in house, three times, and then they will present it.

The commission also approved the purchase of a portable pitching mound for the recreation department, and tabled action on a new pumper as the fire chief was not at the meeting to comment on the one bid received.

They voted to name Marcia Hopper to the Jasper County Library Board of Trustees.

The county manager showed commissioners photos of a situation along Pitts Chapel Road where the bank has eroded and trees are sitting precariously close to the road. The trees are not on the county right-of-way. County Attorney Jim Alexander said they could file a nuisance complaint and try to get the situation taken care of that way. Code enforcement director Sherry Braley was at the meeting and indicated she would begin work on that.

At the end of the regular meeting the board went into closed session to discuss personnel.