Commission Approves Funding
The Jasper County Commission, at its regular meeting Monday, voted unanimously to approve up to $125,000 for the Jasper County Food Bank to get a new home.
The county has applied for a Community Development Block Grant of $750,000 for the new building, but estimates for the property and building came in substantially higher. The grant application cannot be submitted unless the applicant, in this case Jasper County, can show it has the means for the project with the allotted funds. The deadline was extended for Jasper County to take that action. The commissioners did not specify where the money would come from. New Commissioner Sheila Gantt-Jones made the motion. District 3 Commissioner Don Jernigan was not present at the meeting, but voted by telephone.
The commissioners said the location, which has not been divulged, contains 22 acres, and that some of that will be able to be sold to pay the county back part of its investment.
Commissioners also voted to allow the Development Authority of Jasper County (DAJC) to market 2.5 acres adjacent to the new health department at 825 Eatonton Street. DAJC Director David Dyer said the property is blighted with waste dumped on the property and a small house in disrepair. He proposes to seek bids to clean up the lot and develop it.
Commissioners also agreed to purchase 20 18”x18” No Littering signs to place around the county. The commissioners were each tasked last month with determining how many each needed in his or her district. Monday, they agreed to start with 20 countywide, and see if they help with the littering problem. Monticello Mayor Pro0-tem Gail Harrell said the city may also be interested in purchasing the signs, and wondered about getting a better price if the city and county ordered together. Each sign, with the post, costs $53.90.
After a public hearing, commissioners approved a special use permit for a Livestock Auction at 21753 Hwy. 83 north near Shady Dale.
Commissioners approved the low bid from Bancorp South to finance four Sheriff’s vehicles. Some years ago, the commission assessed the sheriff’s office vehicles, many of which were unsafe. At that time they committed to buying four new vehicles a year.
Commissioners heard a brief presentation from Chief Appraiser Lynn Bentley about freezing homestead property values. It was similar to what she presented last year, before Commissioner Gantt-Jones was elected.
Commissioners took no action, merely gathered the information. Mrs. Bentley said assessments would be going out the end of this week, and that most reflect increases based on the market.
Commissioners agreed to put out for bid both the pest control and cleaning of county buildings.
Commissioners set a work session/called meeting for Monday, April 19, at which time the budget book will be presented. Chairman Bruce Henry said he hoped to have a proposal from Central Georgia EMC on the broadband project at that time.
The Public Facilities Authority, which the commissioners have named five people to after extensive interviews and voting, is set to meet next Monday, April 12, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ meeting room.
