Commission Postpones Some Action
Only three of the five Jasper County Commissioners were present at Monday’s regular meeting, so they voted to postpone the appointments of chairman, vice-chairman, and the county attorney and county clerk. Other than that, they proceeded through their agenda, voting unanimously on everything.
Commissioners Doug Luke and Craig Salmon were unable to attend, so Commission Chair Carl Pennamon, Vice-Chair Bruce Henry and Don Jernigan met.
Although only three were present, the county’s bylaws require a vote of three for a motion to pass. The commission voted to approve the holidays and meeting dates for the next year. County employees get 13 paid holidays. The meeting dates were generally the first Monday of the month except when there’s a conflict. September’s meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 10, because of the Labor Day holiday on September 3.
The commissioners approved a alcohol license for Hillsboro Station Market, allowing that store to sell beer. They also adopted an amendment to the Georgia Erosion Control Act of 1975 after a public hearing.
Commissioners also agreed to name four more people to the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee which now has 22 members.
All meetings will be open to the public, even though committee members are limited. The others who are added are a member of the school board and Dr. Mike Newton, superintendent, and the city wanted four members rather than the initial two. Representing the city will be Jenny Murphy, Larry Thurman, David Wease, and Lathaydra Sands.
Commissioners agreed to increase the senior center budget by $4,000 to reflect a grant received to install a greenhouse at the site. The grant will cover the entire cost, but the county must pay it first, then be reimbursed.
In other action at Monday’s meeting, commissioners:
•Adopted the annual update of the Impact Fees Capital Improvement Element for Fiscal Year 2017, and the Annual Update of the Short Term Work Program for fiscal year 2018-2022. Both plans were previously approved and sent to the state for its blessing, and now the final adoption was necessary.
•Set qualifying fees for 2018 elections.
•Adopted a Language Access Plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) that the county received to renovate the senior center.
•Learned surveying has begun at the peninsula at Jackson Lake.
During the citizen comment portion of the meeting, Ken McMichael with the Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority addressed the commissioners about the Cedar Creek drainage basin along state route 11. This includes the property recently purchased by the city of Monticello for water and development.
Mr. McMichael chastised the county for not doing more to prevent the city from purchasing the water, saying it should be for all the citizens of Jasper County. The property is an excellent water source, and should be protected, he said. He also produced a document from 2007 when the lake area was previously studied, and A&S Environmental Services, Inc. recommended the area to be protected as it is a ground water recharge area.
Elvis Singleton with JCWSA also expressed concern about what is going on with the city and county about the Mine Lakes project. He said it concerns me that the city and county are not working together.
Commission Chair Carl Pennamon said that he approached the city numerous times about meeting with the county about the water, but the city did not reciprocate. He said he can’t force a meeting. He also said the Board of Education has asked for a joint meeting to discuss the future of Jasper County.
The city was to have a hearing Tuesday evening on the water project.
