County Approves Tax Abatement For New Business
The Jasper County Commission held five public hearings at its regular meeting Monday evening, and handled several items of business, making for a long night as they met from 6 p.m. to 9:40 p.m. The crowd at the well-attended meeting had dwindled by the time the meeting ended, but several stayed for the duration.
The topic garnering the most interest was tax abatement for a company that wants to locate at the site of the old Dexter Axle plant which is currently sitting empty. The Development Authority of Jasper County (DAJC) wants to issue revenue bonds for that company, TNT Door & Drawer, Inc., and for T&F Lumber Co., LLC. Tony Rogers with the DAJC explained that the county is not liable for the revenue bonds, however the commission must approve them.
The commission had no problem approving the revenue bonds, but TNT Door is also asking for tax abatement for seven years. There were numerous citizen comments, and much discussion amongst the commissioners as to whether to agree to the tax abatement, as well as speculation on the actual dollar amount. But the tax abatement is on the $6.9 million investment the company plans to make, It will still pay tax on equipment it moves to the location as well as the current value of the property.
After weighing the pros and cons, and discussing the issue at length, the commission voted 4-1 to approve the tax abatement as requested by DAJC. District 4 Commissioner Asher Gray cast the dissenting vote.
Two of the other public hearings were on land division on Faulkner Road. The first one was dividing 30.96 acres on the east side of the road into two parcels. That passed unanimously. The second one was to divide 115.018 acres into four parcels on the west side of Faulkner Road. That passed 4-1, again with Commissioner Gray casting the dissenting vote. He voiced concerns about the road, and suggested policies need to be put in place to protect the roads. That led to another agenda item to discuss later in the meeting.
They talked about at what level does the county require road work, and discussed putting a moratorium on land divisions. However, the county attorney suggested they need to determine exactly what they are trying to limit before setting a moratorium on land divisions. They agreed to discuss it further at a later date, but took no action.
The commissioners did put a moratorium on issuing building permits for non-conforming lots in the county.
The third public hearing was on a special use permit for an animal shelter and boarding kennel on Hwy. 83 north, across the highway from the Oak Ridge Subdivision. The Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended approval 5-0, however commissioners heard from neighbors who were opposed to the facility being placed there. The applicant was the Jasper County Humane Society who explained their goals and successes so far. After much discussion, commissioners voted 5-0 to deny the special use permit.
The commissioners recognized Kaylee Slocumb for her achievement of becoming an Eagle Scout, only the second female in the county to achieve the rank. District 2 Commissioner, Chairman Bruce Henry read a proclamation, and she received a round of applause.
The county attorney gave the commissioners and public an update on bills in the legislature that could affect Jasper County, and that the commissioners or public may want to comment on. One bill, HB 137, ups the cost of work that falls under Public Works to be put out to bid from $100,000 to $250,000. Another bill HB 179 would allow digital recording in court cases rather than the traditional court reporter.
There’s another bill in both the House and Senate that would require government entities to put architectural and engineering services out to bid. Currently school board and county governments can select the architect or engineer of their choice with no concern for bids.
House Bill 168 would require a legislative bill for counties to extend a running Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). Currently when one SPLOST expires, voters can choose whether or not to extend the tax.
Another bill concerns conservation and would up the number of acres allowed to be designated for conservation and taxes reduced. One bill changes it from 2,000 acres to 4,000, and the other changes it to 6,000 acres.
There is also a bill to extend the deadline to opt out of HB 581 from March 1 to May 1. Jasper County Commissioners voted to opt-in to the bill.
There are also several bills related to artificial intelligence that are still being worked on.
The commissioners also handled a number of action items, as follows:
Agreed, by a 4-1 vote, to be the fiscal agent for the Family Connection Collaborative. Commissioner Gray cast the dissenting vote.
Granted an alcohol license to Modern Supermarket, which plans to open soon at 11589 Hwy. 83 South. The building has been vacant for many years, and it’s going to reopen and sell gas and diesel as well as typical convenience store items.
Tabled taking action on waiving the alcohol license fee for Bear Creek Marina and Restaurant. The applicant paid the fee in 2023, then a tornado hit, making the building unusable for a time. They had hoped to open in 2024, and the county waived the fee, but it never opened in 2024. Now it’s planning to open this year, and would like to have the fee waived, as they paid for 12 days in 2023.
Approved several short-term rental applications, although several were by a 3-2 vote.
Made a motion to make it official that the county is paying a one-time lump sum payment of $1.086 million for the Defined Benefit Plan Enhancement. Commissioners had approved the expenditure in December, but a resolution was needed.
Commissioners approved the FY 2026 budget calendar which calls from Friday morning work sessions every Friday in May.
County Manager Mike Benton responded to several previous citizen comments. Planning & Zoning Director Doug Attaway said that the property on Landers Way that residents have been complaining about is in the process of being cleaned up and gave an update on equipment still there. He also reported the owner has a court date of March 11.
Mr. Benton said that not only are vehicle logs kept in a number of county vehicles, animal control and code enforcement are both now reporting to the 911 center each time they go on a call.
During citizen comments, commissioners heard from Melissa Strozier who spoke about the upcoming Jasper Jubilee, and asked the commissioners to get involved. The Tour of Homes on April 12 will kick off a week of festivities, with a community picnic on April 13, a fashion show, scavenger hunt, and other activities planned all week before the Jubilee itself on April 19.
Cathy Benson commended the Public Works Department (PWD) for work in Alcovy Shores. Julie Newman of The Peninsula spoke to the Short Term Rental application.
Chris and Michelle Blakely came before the commission to ask for work to be done on several county roads, particularly Jackson Lake Road. They said it needs reflectors and rumble strips to make it safer to travel on. They said there’s been 47 wrecks, including three fatalities since 2022 on that three mile stretch of road from Hwy. 212 to Hwy. 16.
Gabrielle Burrell asked the commissioners for their support of a Cerebral Palsy event to be held on March 22.
