Commission Decreases Employee Contribution For Health Insurance

The Jasper County Commissioners voted 3-1 Monday to reverse its insurance practice with employees that was increased this year. At budget time, health insurance increased so dramatically that commissioners agreed to charge employees more to offset the county’s cost. Later, the commission voted to give the employees a raise.

The raise was offset by the insurance cost making employees feel like they got no raise. Chairman Carl Pennamon said he had talked with each of the constitutional officers who said they could absorb the cost in their budgets, so the county voted to reverse what it was doing, and employees won’t have to pay additional for the insurance starting October 1.

Commissioners also heard a presentation for JMA Associates, architect for the renovation and expansion of the Jasper County Senior Center. The original bid came in well above the budgeted amount, so JMA was authorized to negotiate with the low bidder, and see if changes could be made to complete the project within the budgeted amount. JMA reported that with some design changes, they got the price down close to the budgeted figure.

In the cutting, they took off the front porch that was going to be added. Commissioners agreed to go with the other changes that were recommended but voted to keep the porch intact. The cost for the porch is estimated at $10,700. Several seniors were in attendance, and were anxious to know when the project would begin. Commissioners explained that the architect and the low bidder had to confer, then they would have a construction schedule. For the grant, it has to be completed by next October.

The county received a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant for the project. The county is now moving forward with another request for a CDBG grant for the Jasper County Health Department, also for $750,000.

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The commissioners heard from a representative of Uncle Remus Regional Library who said that the library has a $17,714.45 deficit for the past two to three years. She said they need to clear that up. She also asked for funding for the library manager, who only grosses $21,000 a year now. She said a $2 hour raise would take her up to $25,688. In addition, the library has a 19-hour position that currently is not funded, so she asked the county to ante up an additional $13,000 annually.

Commissioner Pennamon presented her with a check from the county for $19,000 from Impact Fees, but she was to meet with County Manager Mike Benton to see if it can be spent towards the deficit. Several people were in attendance to speak for the library but when the check was presented, they left.

In other action at Monday’s regular meeting, commissioners:

•Recognized 4-H’ers who had excelled at state competitions in the last year.

•Approved a rezoning for 12166 Hwy. 212 west from R-1 to Office-Institutional.

•Agreed to send letters of support for an Athens Technical College campus in Social Circle, and for a OneGeorgia Authority application for Georgia Safari Conservation Park.

•Agreed to open a bank account for the capital improvements fund and put in it money sent to the county from the Four County Development Authority. Those checks so far are about $13,000, $250,000, and $6,900.

•Discussed at length provided transportation for the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency Program. There was much discussion, and in the end, the county attorney and Tracy Norton, senior center director, are to try to straighten it out and agree to aging funds and the vocational rehab funding.

•Tabled taking any action on the cannery,

At the end of the meeting, the commissioners went into closed session to discuss real estate acquisition and personnel.

Commissioner Craig Salmon was not at the meeting, but the remainder of the commissioners were.