County Sets $9.5 Million Budget
The Jasper County Commission Monday voted unanimously to approve a nearly $9.5 million budget for Fiscal Year 2016, an increase of some $663,261 over the current year’s budget.
According to the consolidated budget worksheet, the biggest increases came in recreation and roads and bridges. Also increasing substantially are planning and zoning and animal control, each of which have 14 percent increases, and the sheriff with a 13 percent increase. The coroner’s budget is increasing 12 percent to $27,565.
Agencies and component units are showing a 10 percent increase over the current year.
Commissioners and staff have been working on the 2016 budget since early spring, and finalized most of it last Thursday after numerous meetings.
The millage rate is set a 17.446 mills, the same as last year, which will create a shortfall of nearly $300,000. That is being made up from curb side fund balance and general fund balance.
In other action at Monday’s meeting, commissioners voted to approve an additional $25,000 for gravel and emulsion for June to work on roads. Public works has used all the funds budgeted thus far.
Commissioners also voted to seeks bids for an emulsion tank for public works. Currently, staff has to travel to another county to purchase and pick-up emulsion. Therefore, the county is looking to buy its own tank. They reviewed the proposal presented by staff, and agreed to several changes, saying they want it to be installed by the seller or his designee. It would be part of the bid package.
They also agreed to contract with Triple Point Engineering to prepare a request for proposals (RFP) for fiber removal at the landfill. Triple Point will first due a topographic survey and drill into the fiber to determine how much is there, then develop a RFP.
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The county is under a consent order to remove the fiber. Recently the commission named a solid waste committee to look at options at the landfill, and the committee recommended this first step. The committee has met several times, and last week expressed concern that the numbers they received were not accurate. The committee was going to ask for clarity, and possibly meet with the county manager and finance director. That meeting date has not been set.
The commissioners tabled several items at their meeting Monday, including the purchase of electronic tablets for themselves and some staff members. They expressed concern about having to pay twice for data if they kept their cell phones. But, if they do away with their cell phones, how will they call? So, they decided to put off doing anything at this time. They did say that the intention was for the commissioners to each pay for their own device.
Commissioners approved increased fees at both the landfill and the recreation departments. The increased fees at the landfill were recommended by the solid waste committee. The increased fees at recreation came about because of a need for more revenue and a look at surrounding counties’ fee structures, according to the county manager.
In other action at Monday’s meeting, commissioners:
•Approved the recommended board members for the Alcovy Shores Water & Sewerage Authority.
•Approved several budget amendments to the 2014 budget in an effort to have the audit completed soon. The largest item was the landfill. It was necessary to transfer $532,433 from fund balance to the landfill.
•Voted on the health insurance renewal for county employees. They will be changing to Humana as a provider.
•Approved $1,100 from contingency for senior center staffing reorganization.
•Approved a proclamation for Prospect Liberty C.M.E. Church.
•Agreed to bid out cleaning services.
•Heard from Jeffrey Howe with the American Legion Post 110 inviting them to the veteran’s appreciation day to be held on the Square on June 20.
•Heard from JoAnna Warren with the Georgia Forestry Commission, basically as information telling them about the services of the forestry commission.
•Heard form District 4 Commissioner Craig Salmon that he would like to have the Carl Vinson institute do a feasibility study on consolidation of Jasper County and the city of Monticello.
