Commission O.K.s Budget, Hears Public

The Jasper County Commission Monday agreed to a budget consensus, so it is advertised in today’s newspaper. The proposed budget is $11,941,973 for expenditures and fund balance will be used to make revenues meet that amount, as well. Currently revenues are about $70,000 short, which means that will come from fund balance.

The commissioners are taking the rollback rate of 13.820 mills, compared to last year’s rate of 14.533. Likewise the rollback rate for the hospital is 0.771 compared to last year’s 0.811.

During citizen comments, Juanita Davis introduced herself and told of the company she works for, Dynamic Community Services, saying it provides mental health services, job services and more. She said they have been leading a series of events working on healing the community. The non-profit firm works virtually, but can make home visits. She offered the company’s services to the county.

Then the commissioners heard from Ken McMichael, a member of the Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority (JCSWA). He said he got involved with water issues 17 years ago, when Jasper County was considering joining with Newton County in developing Bear Creek Reservoir. He was concerned about a new service delivery map that Commission Chairman Bruce Henry, Commissioner Gerald Stunkel and County Manager Mike Benton brought to the Water & Sewer meeting last Tuesday.

Mr. McMichael said that he was told that the service delivery map is broken, and they are trying to fix it. He said he had talked to several city councilmen and they were not aware of any proposed change, even though it affects the city also. He said his understanding, after talking to City Councilman David Wease is that the service delivery is a 10-year agreement, and cannot be amended but so often. It’s already been amended once, he said, so it can’t be amended again.

Wanda Cummings, who also serves on the JCSWA, asked the commissioners to schedule a meeting with the JCWSA members. “We’re your children,” she said, “we’re volunteers.” She added, “you’re our parents,” and suggested the two groups need to sit down together.

Early in the meeting, Commissioner Don Jernigan made a motion to move the first two agenda items to next month’s meeting. Those two items were appointments for the recreation board and for the JCSWA. Even though some nominees were at the meeting to be interviewed, the commissioners approved it, and those will be considered next month.

Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce so it can collect hotel/motel tax from locations in the unincorporated areas of the county. The COC will receive half the proceeds, and the other half will go to the county’s general fund.

Commissioners also voted unanimously on approving an easement on Waters Street for the Department of Transportation. The property will be used when work begins on replacing Waters Bridge. The commissioners said perhaps they should sell the remaining piece of the tract, as the commissioners apparently were not aware they owned the property until recently. The whole tract is only 50’x100’.

Commission Chairman Henry told those present that the nine historical documents that they approved to be placed in the Courthouse will be ready next month, and a ceremony is tentatively planned for Wednesday, July 7, around midday, depending on Congressman Jody Hice’s schedule.

In other action at Monday’s meeting, commissioners approved opening a new account at Ameris Bank for American Rescue Plan Act funds. The county anticipates receiving some $2.7 million.

Commissioners also approved the Georgia Indigent Defense Services Agreement unanimously. They also ok’d a new food contract for the senior center.

Commissioners reviewed the third quarter financial and human resources reports.

Commissioners also learned that the new brush cutting tractor with a 24 foot boom had been delivered Monday, and the operator, back-up operator and public works supervisor were all being trained on it. Commissioners suggested the back-up operator could take a day or two off Monday-

Thursday, and work Friday and/or Saturday to try to complete the work.