Commission Handles Business

The Jasper County Commission Monday voted to send a bylaws amendment for the recreation board back to the Recreation Board to be re-worked. The Recreation Board had proposed a new system to adjudicate complaints, which would have had the County Commission have the final say.

The commissioners made it clear they did not want complaints coming to them, and launched into a discussion of what type of complaints is the board referring to. Then there was discussion that certain items, such as balls and strikes, would not be considered for grievances. According to County Manager Mike Benton, last year the recreation director removed two coaches from the field, and those coaches apparently wanted to be able to appeal beyond the recreation board.

The Recreation Board had outlined the grievance process, but District 3 County Commissioner Don Jernigan suggested rather than it coming to the commission, that the Recreation Board develop a three member appeals board. He further suggested that the complainant should have to put up a cash bond, of sorts, to prevent frivolous complaints. He said if the Appeals Board found in favor of the complainant, the money would be refunded, and if not, the money would be forfeited.

The Recreation Board was also scheduled to meet last night, but likely would not have known of the Commission’s decision at that time.

The commission approved the expenditure of some $12,332 for capital equipment to upgrade the phone and internet services at the Courthouse.

Mr. Benton explained how old some of the technology is, and how much the upgrade was needed. The annual cost will be similar to the current cost, about $22,000 annually.

When they were discussing fiber in the Courthouse, and before then during commissioner comments, District 5 Commissioner Doug Luke suggested that the county invite someone from AT&T to the next meeting so they can explain the lack of internet service in the county and what they are planning to do about it. He said people in his area who have AT&T internet have been told if they change, they can’t get it back, and that no one else can service them. He mentioned that the whole area was without service for an extended time earlier this year.

Commissioners approved the low bid for renovations at the Jasper County Health Department. Nine companies bid on the project, which was awarded to the low bidder, Dyer Construction. The cost of the project is $272,367 which will be funded from the 2019 Community Development Block Grant.

Commissioner Luke was happy to make the motion for the county to enter an intergovernmental agreement with the Newton County Board of Commissioners for asphalt paving about 600 feet on Pitts Chapel Road on the Jasper County side of the newly constructed bridge. This is a project that Mr. Luke brought up a long time ago, and it is finally coming to fruition.

The new bridge on the road, going from Jasper to Newton Counties is in place, but improvements need to be made on either end. While Newton County is paving its end, it will cross the bridge and pave the Jasper County side. There is already tentative approval, and the Newton County Commission is expected to act on it at its next meeting.

In other action at Monday’s meeting, commissioners:

•Named District 4 Commissioner Gerald Stunkel as the commission member of the Public Facilities Authority.

•Also named Commissioner Stunkel to the Four County Development Authority Board to fill the vacancy left by the death of Commissioner Carl Pennamon.

•Agreed to pursue a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the Jasper County Community Food Bank.

•Approved a Minor Subdivision Plat for Key-Bridges Holdings, Inc.

•Approved numerous budget amendments, and reviewed the fourth quarter financial report.

Commissioners tabled action on amending the budget for the salaries of constitutional officers, necessitated by 2019 legislation.

They also agreed to meet in a work session next Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m.