Hearings Attract Little Interest
The Jasper County Commission held seven public hearings early in its nearly three hour meeting Monday evening, with very little public input on any of the hearings. Some of the commissioners had input however, so changes were made.
The first hearing was a rezoning request that drew the most interest. Jason Pope was interested in rezoning 7.57 acres on Landers Lane from residential to agriculture. When county Planning & Zoning Director Doug Attaway presented he said the applicant wants to table the application and Commission Chairman Bruce Henry said, okay but we’ll still hold the hearing. Commissioners questioned if he had pay a fee to table the decision, and Mr. Attaway said yes, $200.
The hearing was held with Cathy Benson saying there are nine home on Landers Way, and there’s 65 acres residential, and why would you put ag in the middle? She said it’s a clear indication of spot zoning. Then Sherry Benton said she thought he was getting preferential treatment because of his name. He has run his trucking firm there in violation for several years, like six to eight. She said the area is zoned residential, why would you put ag in the middle of it. She talked about the road conditions, blaming them on him, and said the ground vibrates when he cranks up in the morning, and that it is not pretty. She said it reduces the property value. Mary Patrick said the Planning & Zoning board voted it down unanimously. Jason Bunn said the county has had a year-long discussion on zoning, and that the zoning should be left as it is. The commission took no action.
The second hearing was on the definition of recreational vehicles, hoping to address the number of campers that people are living in throughout the county. According to Mr. Attaway, campers are not allowed anywhere in the county, other than a temporary visitor or in the agriculture zoning district while in the process of building a house. Commissioner Steven Ledford asked about the two campgrounds in the county, and Mr. Attaway said they are not legal.
The next hearing was the table of permitted uses, which specifically outlaws certain activities, and allows certain activities. The commissioners
they had worked to specifically outlaw a year ago were not on the tble, and added them before voting unanimously to approve the list. Those items to be included in the forbidden category are rock quarry or mining, adult entertainment, and solar farms. The county attorney recommended adding them, although he said it was defensible as written. He said being more explicit is best. The fourth public hearing and subsequent business item passed with little conversation. It merely cleans up the ordinance for conservation subdivisions to not be allowed in ag zoning.
The next ordinance amendment was the sign ordinance, which drew much discussion from the commission. All signs now will have to be permitted, and there are size requirements. The permit is good for three years, then has to be re-applied for. Commissioners felt like that would be a burden on business owners having to redo the sign at their place of business every three years which commissioners indicated a one time permit would be enough if it is at the location of the business. After much discussion, commissioners made that change and passed the ordinance.
Each of the ordinances had been studied and re-vamped by the Planning & Zoning Commission before coming to the County Commission. P&Z held its own hearings as well.
The next two public hearings concerned the Capital Improvement Element of the Comprehensive Plan and more specifically how impact fees are disbursed. County Manager Mike Benton explained the commission had made changes in 2022, but that the Department of Community affairs (DCA) rejected those changes. He explained that the commission had changed the recipient of some of the funds, and DCA indicated they did not follow the right process. Mr. Benton wants to reach out to a professional firm and if the commission engages the firm, then commissioners will sit down with the firm’s representatives and the changes can be completed.
During citizen comments, Ken Horton thanked the commissioners for their help in getting the latest grant for the food bank. The county sought a Community Development Food Bank (CDBG) some time ago to build a food bank, so it can expand its services. The county received the grant, but it turned out not to be enough money to purchase the land and build the facility along with grading and such that goes along with it. The land has been purchased, but the building was put on hold when they realized there was not enough money. Food Bank volunteers sought other grants, and recently learned they received Southern Crescent grant for an additional $350,000. Working with the architect, they can now move forward with plans for a new food bank.
Also during citizen comments, Walt Harrell asked if the county would put the pipe in on Jordan Road, that it had needed replacing for nearly four years. He said some of the residents don’t want it replaced, but that the road is a failure. He said he farms on the road, and that he enjoys riding down the road on Sunday afternoon. James Belcher told commissioners to please seriously consider the people he had recommended for the new Board of Elections and Registration. He recommended the Commission name one Democrat, one Republican, and a non-partisan if they can find one.
Mary Patrick said it seems the county has money for what it wants, and mentioned several items, then said that rather than buying a truck for the recreation department, they should hire another code enforcement officer.
Chris Born spoke of the excessive tax burden on seniors, and that a recreation vehicle would be excessive. He spoke of animal control and said repairs had not been made there, and animals can’t speak for themselves.
Bill Nash spoke saying he recommended David McKenna for the Public Facilities Authority. Mr. Nash is a member of that board, and felt Mr. McKenna would be a good addition. He applied for the position and was present at the meeting, and the commissioners named him to the board.
More than a half dozen people applied to volunteer for the new Elections Board, and each one introduced him or herself and told why they wanted to serve. One person had applied, but was not present, so was not considered. After hearing from all candidates,
Commissioner Steven Ledford made a motion to name Mark Logan, Guy Tucker and David McGuire to the board. Mr. Logan is named to a three year term, and the other two will serve four year terms.
Early in the meeting, commissioners heard from Ed Westbrook, the deputy director for Jasper County Emergency Management Agency (EMA). He has agreed to serve as interim director, with two deputy directors, Suzanne Ward and Cain Bentley. He said both of them have taken it upon themselves to do the work to serve in the role. He said he’d like for them to work under him to learn the job, and he would take not money but they would share the $5,000 annually that is budgeted.
Mr. Benton reported that they had bid the roads to be repaired because of the tornado damage from January 2023 with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds, and received no bids the first time, and the second time around the bids came in way high. They agreed to meet with the one bidder, and depending on what they can resolve, possibly re-bid the project.
In other action at Monday’s meeting, commissioners:
Agreed to re-sign a intergovernmental agreement with the city of Monticello for building inspections and court services.
Denied the purchase of a vehicle for the recreation department instead suggesting they share a vehicle with the tax assessors.
Agreed for a 4-1 vote to have District 1 Commissioner Shelia Pounds be the voting delegate at an upcoming ACCG Legislative conference, as no other commissioners are attending. Commissioner Asher Gray cast the dissenting vote, saying it was her attitude, as the two of them had cross words shortly before that agenda item.
Agreed to open a new bank account for the new grant the Food Bank received. Those funds will be the first expended.
Agreed to sign the audit engagement letter with McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks & Co., LLC. For $65,000.
At the end of the meeting, commissioners went into closed session to discuss personnel.
