County Commission Holds Public Hearing

The Jasper County Commissioners Monday held a public hearing on a zoning special exception before handling much business during their regular monthly meeting.

The request for a special exception is to allow a conventional subdivision rather than a conservation subdivision on a 222 acre tract on Jackson Lake Road. The owners and developers have plans for a gated community that would include 117 lots, 77 lakefront, and 40 interior. The lots would average 1.9 acres, with the smallest being one acre.

The developers specialize in lake, mountain and coastal developments, and they have a vision for the property. They said that today’s market wants large tracts. They also pointed out the tax advantages to the county for the subdivision to be developed as they plan rather than a conservation subdivision which has much untaxed land.

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Pete Malone, one of the owners, said the land has been in the Key family since the 1800s, and they care about the county. They would not sell it until someone had a proposal they felt was worthy of the property. The county will collect about $120,000 right off the bat as the conservation covenant is breached when the land changes hands.

Tom Joye also spoke in favor of the development, saying he thinks it will be a boon for the county.

A resident of the area spoke, and requested that when they develop the property they use the main entrance and not Eagle Drive as the road is already in bad shape.

Another resident of the area asked that the county make the zoning exclusive to the developer, so they can’t turn around and sell it to someone with a different vision.

Commissioner Bruce Henry asked about the fire district tax that is currently imposed on those living within 500 feet of a fire hydrant. Chief Appraiser Lynn Bentley was on hand and said the tax would also apply to the new parcels. He also asked if school buses would be allowed to travel on the private roads. The answer was probably not; children would be picked up at the entrance. In addition, rather than postal workers going into the community, there would be a cluster of mailboxes at the entrance.

During the regular meeting, the commissioners agreed to move forward with the paving of Shepherd Road. The state has approached the county about the re-surfacing, but it will require a 30 percent local match. The road is not at the top of the county’s priorities. But since the state wants it done, and has indicated it would look favorably upon Jasper County if it’s completed, the commissioners decided to move forward. The local cost will be $66,000, and the state will pay 70 percent.

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County Manager Mike Benton encouraged the commissioners to move forward with their Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) road request for 2018. He said they have until the end of December, but he’d like to get ahead, and have it all ready for spring paving. Commissioners agreed to discuss LMIG further once they have finished negotiations on the upcoming Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).

After some discussion, commissioners agreed to contract with the Northeast Georgia Regional Development Commission (NEGRDC) for the county’s comprehensive plan. The county has until October 2018 to complete the plan, but it requires lots of work, and they want to move forward on it.

Commissioners looked briefly at amortization schedules for funds they plan to borrow for projects to be paid back initially with SPLOST funds, and later with more SPLOST funds or other sources of revenue. They agreed to meet again in the next two weeks to finalize the SPLOST, after they have had time to review the proposed repayment schedules. For the question to go on the ballot in November, as planned, the commissioners have to have the wording to Elections Superintendent and Probate Judge Linda Keller in less than three weeks.

Judge Keller asked the board to sign an agreement with Penn Credit to collect past due tickets for Probate Court. There will be no cost to the county, by the agency will tack on 40 percent for its fee. If a person pays promptly, they don’t pay the 40 percent fee. Judge Keller said she had $20,000 worth of tickets this would affect. After the Probate Court sends letters, then the collection agency would do the same. Then, if no action is taken, the agency will pursue the money due.

Emergency Services Director Chris Finch approached the commissioners about donating a worn-out stretcher and an old ambulance box to Jasper County Charter Schools for their new Emergency Medical Responder course. After some discussion, commissioners agreed to sell the items to the school for $1.

Commissioners agreed to purchase some $31,000+ of equipment for the recreation department. The funds will come from the 2005 SPLOST proceeds. Recreation Director Jonathan Green presented the several proposals, and many of the items will be purchased locally.

In other action, commissioners:

• Accepted the low bid for fencing at Animal Control.

• Agreed to purchase an ice machine for the senior center. That one quit, and the center has been going to the sheriff’s office for ice daily.

• Agreed to sign the intergovernmental agreement with the city of Monticello for the probate judge to handle its election.

• Formally adopted the Board of Education’s tax millage rate.

During commissioner comments, Commissioner Don Jernigan asked about the can count the county will do in cooperation with Advanced Disposal. Mr. Benton said he is looking for someone to handle that duty. Commissioner Jernigan also asked about progress on the website. He was told it should be ready by the end of this month.