Commissioners Discuss Budget, Zoning
The Jasper County Commission met Monday for a called meeting to handle a few business items and continue budget discussions.
After opening ceremonies, the commissioners heard a presentation from Mary Patrick about planning and zoning matters. She said that since the codes have changed, there will be more non-conforming lots, and she feels like the ordinances should address that concern. She feels like a lot size minimum should be set. She told of someone wanting to change all the required setbacks to build a home on a lot as there is not enough room on the lot.
Ms. Patrick said there are probably 100 such lots in Turtle Cove, Alcovy Shores, and also other places.
During citizen comments, Barbara Smith spoke to the commissioners about recognizing J’Quavious Thurmond, a native Jasperite who has been inducted into the college basketball hall of fame. She wants his hometown to recognize him, and the commissioners agreed.
The commissioners heard from Kristy Tribble at Animal Control about new fencing that is required. They sought and received three bids, and chose to go with the lowest bid, which is also the only complete bid. All Advanced Fence will do the job for $12,450, which is only about half of what one bid was. The gate repair increased it to $14,400. Commissioners agreed to pay for it out of fund balance.
Next the commissioners talked about the budget. The budget is still not ready for completion as the digest is not ready. However, department heads and elected officials were asked to see if they could find further cuts. Financial officer
Larissa Ruark said some had responded with cuts to their budget.
That elicited a discussion of the cars the county buys for the sheriff’s office. District 5 Commissioner Steven Ledford commented that the sheriff had just bought a car, making that five for the current year. The county typically buys the sheriff four cars a year. He had said they could cut one car. The fifth car that Commissioner Ledford was referring to was bought from other funds.
District 4 Commissioners Asher Gary commented that they had just totaled a car, showing the need for another car. Commissioner Ledford commented on how many spares were available, and Commissioners Gray indicated that they are necessary. No action was taken on any budget items.
Without having a firm number for revenues, right now the county budget is sitting at $16,068,221/ However, depending how revenuers come in the commissioners may need to cut more.
Commissioners asked Ms. Ruark if they used zero-based budgeting this year like they asked last year, and she said they tried, but it’s difficult.
The commissioners heard from County Clerk Sheila Jefferson that the dead tree in front of the Extension office has to come down. She said she reached out to Benton Tree Service and Murrell’s Tree Service. Both gave the same bid, but one is going to grind the stump, so the county will go with that option. Commissioner Gray asked what the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) was doing bout the digest problems, as it is a statewide problem. He suggested that the legislature should re-convene, and delay the implementation of House Bill 581 which is the cause of the digest hold-up.
Commissioners are also planning to meet for a follow-up with officials of Sen. Raphael Warnock’s office about mail delivery problems.
Commissioners Ledford questioned if the county had heard back from the city of Monticello on the Floating Local Option Sales Tax, and Chairman Bruce Henry said they want to meet again. The commissioners say they just want to hear the number the city is looking at. The county is going to reach out to the city.
