County Contracts Culvert Work

The Jasper County Commissioners agreed to subcontract the work to replace four culverts on roads that have been impassable since storms earlier this year…some dating back to April’s flooding.

Culverts will be replaced on Aldridge Road at Robinson Creek, Gay Road at Blackwell Creek, Cook Road at Persons Creek, and Greer Road at King Branch.

The low bidder for the job was D.E.P. Hauling & Grading who will do the work for $208,881.41. That was the low bid, with two other bidders being in the $200,000s, and one bid was $847,950. County Manager Mike Benton said they checked the references, and got good reports on D.E.P., so the commissioners accepted the low bid.

In addition, the commissioners agreed for the county to transport and dispose of failed corrugated culverts on property adjacent to the county right-of-way on Henderson Mill Road. The county will transport and dispose of up to eight dump truck loads of material removed from the property, and will install a new guardrail when the work on private property adjacent to the county property is complete. Mr. Benton explained that the property owners have agreed to take care of everything else. He said it is a good deal for the county. The damage occurred in July 2022.

On another bid project, commissioners advertised for bids for the sale of a surplus Senior Center F-350 van, and received two bids—one for $500 and one for $2,500. They accepted the high bid.

Commissioners agreed to pay an additional $4,770, so Public Works Director Michael Walsh can purchase a 2023 Ford 250 diesel truck. The county budgeted $60,000 for the purchase a year ago, and he ordered one, but none has been available. He said he found one on a lot, but needed additional money to purchase. The commissioners agreed to the new price.

Commissioners voted for District 2 Commissioner Bruce Henry to be the county’s voting delegate at the ACCG legislative leadership conference.

Commissioners approved a resolution, 3-1, to no longer require decals on mobile homes. Chief Appraiser Lynn Bentley brought this to the commissioners. She said the legislature in 2022 said there is no longer a need to display decals on mobile homes. Ms. Bentley said that they do not check for decals, that the tax commissioner can run a report that shows if taxes are paid on the mobile homes that would require decals.

When Ms. Bentley made her presentation, Commissioner Henry questioned her, saying you’re supposed to check them, don’t you do that. She admitted it was low on her priority list, and something the office does not actively do. He said he didn’t want to pass the resolution and he wants the assessors’ office to do its job. He even made a motion not to sign the resolution. The other three commissioners—Chairman Don Jernigan, District 2 Commissioner Shelia Jones, and District 5 Commissioner Steven Ledford voted for the resolution.

Jasper County Senior Center Director Brenda Jacobs brought a proposal to the commissioners where the center could receive a $10,000 grant to vaccinate senior citizens. She said she had talked with the local health department which would administer the vaccine.

The seniors may choose flu or Covid vaccines, and presumably could get both. Commissioner Henry said he was opposed to it, saying that anyone who wants a vaccine already has a way to get it…whether it be doctor, health department or a drug store.

Ms. Jacobs said it could open a door or perhaps overcome barriers to getting the vaccines. Commissioners questioned what happened if the 100 vaccines the grant is for are not all used. Ms. Jacobs was not sure. Commissioners voted to table any action until they got an answer.

Commissioners reviewed an agreement between the county and the Board of Education for the county to use facilities at the local schools. They had a couple of changes, including who signs the agreement, then passed the resolution. Mr. Benton emphasized several times that the agreement between the county and the School Board allowed the county to use the schools’ facilities with no facility rental fees, asking only that the county be good stewards when using any facilities.

Commissioner Henry introduced the possibility of a “fitness court” which would be designed for citizens to use. A $30,000 grant is available, but the estimated cost is $200,000. Mr. Henry said he envisioned putting it at the senior center. He also said that it would be eligible for Community Development Block Grant funding. Other commissioners questioned that, saying that the county didn’t get any encouragement when it considered seeking a CDBG for recreation facilities. They wondered how this would be eligible.

Then commissioners turned their talk to the CDBG, and discussed the fact that they can apply again, but they need to determine the need in the near future, as writing the grant, which is due next April, takes quite a while. They may meet later this month to discuss it further. Mr. Benton is to get information to the commissioners on exact requirements. Commissioners took no action on the fitness court.

Commissioner Jones suggested the commission have a town hall meeting to see what their constituents want. She said, “We’ve got to stop doing what we want. We need a town hall meeting to get the people’s ideas. I just feel like we need to get involved with our constituents.” Then she asked the other commissioners how they felt about it. Commissioner Henry said he had no problem with it…it might be beneficial.

During citizen comments early in the meeting, Mark Logan of a Mallard Drive address complained about the lack of law enforcement on Jackson Lake, and wondered why the sheriff’s office didn’t patrol the lake, saying as much law breaking goes on there as does on land. He said people do crazy stuff on the lake, and he would like the commission to address his concern.

Mary Patrick spoke against the fitness court and the vaccination agreement, saying the court is not worth the $170,000 it would cost the county, and that vaccinations aren’t safe, and can be gotten already at the health department, hospital, or doctor’s office.

In the county commission comments, Commissioner Ledford suggested Planning and Zoning look at requiring the developer of a conservation subdivision to include amenities for the homeowners or to just go back to regular subdivisions.

Commissioner Henry asked about the mailbox kiosks that are now required at the entrance to all subdivisions. Apparently the U.S. Postal Service will no longer deliver mail into subdivisions and now requires a kiosk going into the neighborhood where residents would get their mail. Commissioners Henry said in those subdivisions which do not have a Homeowners’ Association need a way to be covered. He suggested increasing impact fees, so they could be used when kiosks need maintenance.