Commission Names Recreation Board Members
The Jasper County Commissioners named two more people to the Recreation Board at their meeting Monday evening, bringing to five the number of people who will serve on that committee. New members are Dionka Jackson and Ashley Cedars. They join others who were named previously, Robert Norton, Lisa Simmons and Emily Beasley.
The three members of the board that had been previously appointed have been meeting and working on bylaws for the committee, and came to the commission Monday asking for direction. One suggestion was they host a meet and greet so the community can meet the committee members and the new recreation director, Jonathan Green. Mr. Norton said they were planning to do that. Other suggestions were that they work with the director to develop a mission statement and goals, to remind everyone that the children come first, and to work toward a long term set of goals.
County Manager Mike Benton said the committee is made up of passionate individuals, and they have already met several times and begun hammering out bylaws and looking at needs and wants.
Also at Monday’s meeting, commissioners approved Wildfire Industries to continue to provide janitorial services for the Courthouse. Wildfire was the low bidder for the service. They also chose Terminix to provide pest control services for the next three years. The current contract is expiring, and the current provider did not want to bid again. It has been bought out by a larger company. The low bid was $362 monthly with the high bid being $885 monthly. One other bidder was in-between those two.
Commissioners also presented Tamala Alexander with a check for the library from impact fees. The $14,000+ will be used primarily to purchase books. They also announced that the staff had again received an award for General Excellence in Financial Reporting.
In addition, Cathy Benson presented a petition to the commissioners to put speed bumps on Lakeshore Drive for traffic control. People constantly speed through the neighborhood, and it’s a real problem, said Mrs. Benson. She had approached the commissioners several months ago and they instructed her to get signatures from 70 percent of the property owners on the road. She did that and now wants the bumps. She was told there would have to be a public hearing, but they would get to work on it right away.
Commissioners agreed to pay for right-of-way acquisition on Pitts Chapel Road, so the bridge can be replaced. Newton County is supposed to be acquiring right-of-way on its side of the bridge so work can begin.
In other action, commissioners agreed:
•To put out to bid kennel upgrades for the Animal Control facility.
•To approve requesting quotes for county debit and credit card merchant services, particularly for the Planning & Zoning office.
•To table action on the county’s match for Shepherd Road. The state is wanting it re-surfaced, and wants the county to pay 30 percent. The county is hoping to get the road re-surfaced for less than 30 percent local funds.
•To advertise for patching and leveling of 2.2 miles on Goolsby Road.
Commissioners also discussed lowering the speed limit on part of Jackson Lake Road, and increasing signage to try to prevent speeding. A resident had asked for a guard rail as previously vehicles have landed in her yard. After talking with Department of Transportation (DOT) engineers and others, the county manager was recommending lower speeds limits at the Hwy. 11 end of that road and signage showing what it is. Mr. Benton said that if you come in off Hwy. 11 by Prospect Church, there is no speed limit sign. Commissioner Don Jernigan suggested lowering the speed limit on the whole road, as much of the Hwy. 16 end is also curvy and dangerous.
Commissioners agreed to have a meeting to discuss a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) next Monday, June 12, after the public hearing on the budget which is scheduled for 6 p.m.
During commissioner items, Fifth District Commissioner Doug Luke said with recent rains it would be good to get more mowing done.
District 2 Commissioner Bruce Henry said he still wants to have a fund balance discussion and financial policy discussion. Mr. Benton said he did not have that ready for this meeting, but hopefully it would be on the next meeting’s agenda.
District 3 Commissioner Carl Pennamon, who serves as chair, said the regular July meeting would fall on July 3, the eve of the July 4th holiday, and asked about changing it. Commissioners agreed to change the July meeting to July 10.
District 3 Commissioner Don Jernigan mentioned road issues and possibly signage needed at Jackson Lake Road at Ernest Gibson Road. He also said that Public Works badly needs a new shop building. He said when the wind blows, you don’t know if it’s going to remain standing.
District 4 Commissioner Craig Salmon followed up on a couple of road issues he had e-mailed the county manager about.
Commissioners were reminded of the public hearings on the budget set for next Monday, June 12, at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
