Bruce Henry Is Commission Chairman

Bruce Henry was named 2020 chairman of the Jasper County Commission, and Gerald Stunkel is vice-chairman. The vote came at Monday’s meeting…the first one of the new year, as each year in January the commission elects a chair.

The vote was a little contentious. Initially, District 3 Commissioner Don Jernigan nominated District 1 Commissioner Carl Pennamon to remain as chair. Mr. Pennamon seconded the motion. The vote was two in favor and three against. Then District 5 Commissioner Doug Luke nominated District 2 Commissioner Henry as chair, and District 4 Commissioner Stunkel seconded the motion. It passed 3-2, with Commissioners Jernigan and Pennamon voting against.

David Ozburn was re-named county attorney, and Sharon Robinson remains County Clerk.

The commission also set the qualifying fees for 2020 elections, which typically is three percent of the base pay. That resolution will run in next week’s Monticello News.

After a second reading and public hearing on the hotel-motel tax, the commissioners approved instituting a five percent tax. However, it will not take effect until next January, as commissioners were unclear on how long it would take staff to set it up.

Commissioners also approved a resolution to create, by legislation, a Public Facilities Authority. Jasper County’s delegation will introduce the legislation.

Four people applied for two openings on the Tax Assessors board, and commissioners eventually agreed to re-appoint Karen Breeding and Jim Stansell. There is a good bit of training involved for new members, and Chief Appraiser Lynn Bentley said she had not budgeted for new members, who would require much training. She budgeted for the 20 hours required for returning members.

The commission also agreed to advertise the opening on the 911 board and the Development Authority of Jasper County board. There is one opening on the 911 board, and seven on the DAJC board.

Commissioner Pennamon said he had received notice from the Walton County Tax commissioner that the county would be receiving $131,000 from the Stanton Springs investment by March 15, with another $20,000 anticipated from TPA. He said that the county had invested a little more than $900,000, and that return will be made no later than 2023.

Jasper’s 911 Director Betty Jump spent considerable time explaining to commissioners about problems with the radios, and possible fixes. After much discussion, the commissioners instructed Ms. Jump to have the 911 Authority come up with a recommendation and bring it back to the commissioners. The antennas need to be up higher, and that may not be an easy fix. There is also the option of a microwave “hop” that would help the radios transmit.

The issue with putting antennas on cell towers is they charge a hefty fee. But, County Attorney David Ozburn remembered that when American Tower came to the county about placing towers in the county there was discussion about allowing emergency services to locate on the towers. He is going to research and see if that made it into the agreement, which would be very beneficial to the county.

County Manager Mike Benton told commissioners that the bid documents for the exterior of the Courthouse should be ready by Friday, Jan. 10. There will be a mandatory pre-bid conference on February 4, and the bid opening is set for February 18. The commission will vote on the contractor on March 2. He also said a design build request for proposal document for a Public Works shop should be ready by February 3.

Stephanie Puckett, a resident of Monticello, questioned the commissioners on why properties are diverted to the DAJC, rather than being offered for sale by the county. She wanted to understand why the public didn’t have an opportunity to purchase the properties, and wanted to know when taxes would be collected on the properties. She was particularly asking about the cannery and the old health department building.

Commissioners also received a report from Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce President Mandi Tanner who said 1,100 people had visited the Smithsonian exhibit in the previous five weeks. It closes this Saturday, Jan. 11. It will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and that is the last chance to see it in Monticello.