Commissioners Hear from Court Clerk
The Jasper County Commissioners Monday heard from Clerk of Court Dan Jordan about his desire to remain clerk of Magistrate Court.
Mr. Jordan explained to commissioners the outline of the clerk’s job as compared to what the Chief Magistrate does. He said that 25 Georgia counties have the same system as Jasper where the clerk of Superior Court also clerks for Magistrate Court. He said it has been this way most of the time since the Magistrate Court was created in 1984.
He went into some detail as to why his office can handle the duties well, and how it would cost the county more if the Chief Magistrate hired his own clerk staff. He also indicated there would not be enough room for all the necessary records in the current magistrate space in the Courthouse.
The presentation was brought about because Chief Magistrate-elect Tim Lam last month had requested that the commissioners propose the legislation be changed where he could hire his own clerk.
The current system was set by legislation, so it is ultimately up to the legislature to change it. However Mr. Lam approached the commissioners figuring the legislators would do what the county requested. The commissioners at that time said they wanted to hear from Mr. Jordan before they took any action. Mr. Lam was unable to attend Monday’s meeting, so the commission will hear back from him in January.
The commission set its regular January meeting for January 9 to begin with a work session at 5 p.m., and follow with the regular meeting at 6 p.m. The regular meeting day would have been January 2, which is when the New Year’s holiday will be observed by the county government offices.
After much discussion, commissioners decided to purchase one patrol car with cash and lease two other patrol cars for the sheriff’s office. The commissioners had budgeted to lease four, but when there was money left over in the budget last year, some of the commissioners were for buying them outright, and not adding more debt to the county.
One has already been purchased, for cash, and the others will be ordered to take delivery in January. After motions to buy all three outright and to lease all three failed, then Craig Salmon made the motion to lease two and buy one. That passed 3-2.
The commission approved alcohol license renewals for several businesses, but denied a new license application for Haystack Wings ‘N Things. Commissioner Doug Luke said it’s not about the people, it’s about the location. It’s a terrible spot for a restaurant/bar, he said.
The commissioners talked about adding a probationary period for licenses to the ordinance, as well as a waiting period between applications, but those will be addressed later.
The commissioners agreed to changing the Senior Center hours to 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. instead of 5 p.m., at the request of Tracy Norton, director.
The commissioners discussed at length the possibility of purchasing a crack sealing machine and a truck to haul it, but decided to look into renting one and delayed any action until January.
They learned the state had sent a letter of commitment for the Pitts Chapel Bridge, and Jasper and Newton Counties will get together to firm up plans.
