County Votes To Move Forward With Jail Renovation Project
The Jasper County Commission unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the necessary documents for the issuance of Jasper County Public Facilities Authority’s revenue bonds, including an intergovernmental agreement with the PFA.
The bonds will raise some $7 million for renovation and expansion of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), and the county has another $3 million to put with it, up front, to get the project going. Commission Chairman Bruce Henry made the motion and all the commissioners seconded it.
Sheriff Donnie Pope thanked the commissioners. He echoed what the commissioners said about it being a long time coming. Grand Juries for the last 14 years have said the jail is overcrowded and needs expansion. It is finally going to happen. When the commission began talking about this renovation, pre-Covid, the total price was estimated to be about $7 million. Now the project is estimated to cost $10 million.
The county has $1.7 million in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds, as well as impact fees and Stanton Springs money to cover the $3 million. The bonds will be repaid with Stanton Springs funds. This is the first project handled by the Jasper County PFA (see related story).
The commissioners spent some time discussing the recreation board, which recently apparently had a heated meeting, which was attended by some commissioners. They voted to reduce the number on the board to five, from seven. There are currently five members, but the board questioned whether those five need to continue to serve. They agreed to have a joint meeting with the recreation board, explain its role, and determine if those members will continue to serve or if changes need to be made.
Commissioners agreed to move forward on extending the moratorium on subdivisions until September 11. A public hearing must first be held before the moratorium can be extended. Planning & Zoning Director Judy Johnson explained the process. She felt like they could probably have it ready to adopt by the August 1 meeting, but it could be cutting it close. Commissioners wanted to be sure there was enough time to complete the process so Commissioner Gerald Stunkel suggested planning to adopt at the September 11 meeting.
The commission reappointed Justin Owens to the Planning & Zoning Commission. His term was up, and the county advertised for interested persons. Besides Mr. Owens, David Sheppard applied. The commissioners heard from each of them, then voted unanimously to re-appoint Mr. Owens.
The county had sought bids for garbage pick-up, having been with the same company for many years. The new bidder was significantly higher so the county will stay with its current provider. That provider has increased its price significantly, partly because of fuel prices, but it is still more affordable than the new bidder. Advance Disposal was the provider, but it was bought out by Waste Management who currently has the contract. The commissioners will address how to handle the increase in an upcoming meeting, but residents can probably expect to see that fee increased on their tax bill. The provider’s increase is $33 per year per cart.
In other action, commissioners:
•Reappointed Fire/EMS Chief Chris Finch to the Region 5 EMS Advisory Council.
•Approved the Ocmulgee Circuit Public Defender’s Office contract for the same amount as previous years.
•Heard the Human Resources and County Boards Report. There are currently six open positions for county employees, and one person is needed for both the Jasper County Department of Family & Children Services Board and the Public Facilities Authority.
•Adopted the annual update of the Capital Improvement Element for FY 2021. The commission approved this long ago, but it then had to go to the regional commission and then the state, then back to the county for final adoption.
•Agreed to go with the health insurance program offered through Kelly Fox, long time health insurance broker for the county.
The commissioners reviewed a few budget cuts, including cutting its indigent transport funds to Jasper Memorial Hospital. County Manager Mike Benton was to send the new budget numbers to the commissioners via email Tuesday morning, and each commissioner was going to review, and they will meet again Monday, June 13, to discuss more cuts, and hopefully get a consensus to advertise the budget.
