Commission Handles Routine Business
The Jasper County Commission Monday approved the Joint Comprehensive Plan for the county as well as the cities of Monticello and Shady Dale. The plan has been approved by the Department of Community Affairs, and will be the guide’s to the county’s growth in the coming years.
The commission also approved a contract extension for Advance Disposal Service (ADS) which provides curbside pick-up throughout the county. The contract is for three and a half years to make it end when the county’s fiscal year ends. It is good until June, 2022. There was no increase in the cost this year, and future increases are tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Steve Edwards from ADS spoke to the commissioners saying his company would like to continue the service, and that ADS is happy with the county, and he hopes the county is happy with ADS. They discussed that any concerns get addressed right away, and moved forward with the contract extension.
Commissioners agreed to submit Goolsby Road to the state for the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) monies, and agreed to finish the road. The worst stretch was done in 2016, and this will complete the road, paving each end to where the middle was paved.
Commissioners agreed to allow employees age 65 and older as of January 1 to opt out of the county’s pension plan. There are currently two older employees who do not want to contribute because they are already above retirement age, and have retirement benefits elsewhere. They stressed they wanted to be careful how it was worded, but felt confident that they would not cause problems by allowing this.
Commissioners heard from County Manager Mike Benton about signs to go on the state highways coming into Jasper County. The Department of Transportation has just changed the rules, and the signs are all supposed to be uniform. However, since the county already has the Deer Capital and Purple Heart signs, the state is going to put them up. The third sign that will go on the post is one recognizing Piedmont Academy as state baseball champs for the last several years.
Commissioners also approved the Service Delivery Strategy, which the citiesmust still approve. The county attorney was to form language saying the city of Monticello would negotiate with the Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority for water delivery options.
During commissioners’ comments, Commissioner Don Jernigan said he had heard from residents on Blue Jay Court who appreciated the work that had been done. Commissioner Craig Salmon asked the county manager and public works director to look at the county paving Killdeer Road.
Commission Chairman Carl Pennamon announced that the Joint Development Authority had received a $500,000 grant for parkway extension at Stanton Springs.
