County To Re-Bid Fire Truck, Again

The Jasper County Board of Commissioners voted to not buy a fire rescue pumper at their regular business meeting Tuesday, but to rather get a set of specifications drawn up that are consistent and that come before the commission and the truck be rebid.

This comes after much discussion over the last few meetings as to the specs of the truck and the bids that were received being seemed to have been drawn up for one particular vendor. That vendor was the high bid at the previous meeting, and also was the recommendation from Fire Chief Jarrett Slocumb. The commissioners took the recommendation of Jim Alexander, County Attorney to start over with the bidding process.

Mr. Alexander told the BOC that upon review the specs differed between numbers one and two. He said that there was a change in between, and that there needed to be uniformity before continuing. He also suggested the county talk with Butts County, which is also seeking a new truck and see if there would be any benefit to buying together.

Commissioner Bruce Henry asked that County Manager Mike Benton work with and contact Butts county. He said “we need to get a fair bid sheet and that needs to be brought before the BOC for approval before bids are sent out again.”

Mr. Benton informed the BOC that he had met with Mark Whitley and inspected the paving done on McElheney Crossroad last Friday and said that “he was upbeat – we did a good job.”

{{more}}

He did have some minor recommendations on future projects, but advised that the county continue to use their equipment to patch and to not move forward with Atlanta Paving as “they’ve been dragging their feet.”

Commissioner Carl Pennamon asked, “so we are going to use that money, $250,000 for patching rather than put it toward paving with Atlanta Paving?” Mr. Benton said that Atlanta Paving has been in no hurry with their contract and that he recommended that money could be used for in house patching to get more out of the funds.

Commissioner Doug Luke asked that the money is earmarked for that purpose and used on a case by case basis.

Commissioner Henry asked about getting it all done with the weather factors and was told that it was SPLOST monies from both the 2005 and the 2012 SPLOSTs and just had to be used respectively.

Mr. Benton told the BOC that the 2015 LMIG contract with Pittman Construction was being pushed along, and Pittman has said that within two weeks they will begin on the paving to be done on Post Road. He did say that the contract not being fulfilled could result in recourse if not done soon. He noted that the setback could be based on the rain, but that he was checking with Pittman weekly.

Commissioner Craig Salmon updated the others about his discussion and suggestions made to lessen the noise caused by the rumple strips at the Bethel Church Road and Hwy. 212 intersection as was brought up by residents near there. He stated that there were several alternative suggestions made, such as a round-a-bout put into place, to lessen the height of the strips, to use inverted pyramids, and to use solar panels to aid in lights on the signs. He also noted that at a last resort that there could be a stop light put in.

Commissioner Bruce Henry asked the BOC to look into the lighting fixtures on the main floor of the courthouse as he was informed that an electrician had to be called and paid to come and change the light bulbs in those fixtures. He asked that the cost to call in an electrician versus putting up more efficient fixtures and using LED light bulbs be compared and a change pursued.

Commissioner Salmon noted that he understood that the fixtures had a ballast issue and that it was not just the bulb. Commission Chairman Gene Trammell stated that he would like to look into an energy audit for the building.

The BOC voted to approve Francis J. Campbell to the Planning and Zoning Board and voted to approve Marion Rinaldi to the Board of Appeals for the county. Mr. Trammell thanked both women for their wanting to serve.

For the Tax Assessors office the BOC voted to approve the one-year contract with Knight Appraisal Services to begin January 1, 2016. This is at a cost of $30,000 and was included in the tax assessors budget. They also approved the copier contract for this office to include a new machine and no increased cost.

The BOC approved a proclamation in favor of Red Ribbon Week October 23 through October 31 in support of the prevention of illicit drug use.

The board voted to appoint Trey Gafnea, Jasper County Extension Agent, to the Upper Ocmulgee River Board for a two year term.

The BOC heard from Mary Patrick as she revisited the housing subject from 2012 during the citizen’s comments portion of the meeting. She asked the BOC if there was any regulation on substandard rental houses, and alluded that some were being rented with no electricity or water. She said that that was “filthy living, and dangerous” and that Sheriff Charles Roper was in favor then. She asked that the BOC and or Planning and Zoning consider inspections or other regulations.