Commission Handles Routine Business
The Jasper County Board of Commissioners breezed through a light agenda Monday evening for their regular meeting.
Chairman Bruce Henry told board members that now that the 2020 census is complete it is time for the county and cities to re-negotiate the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST). All of the commission members are new since the last time the distribution was negotiated, and the negotiations got quite tense 10 years ago.
The chairman explained the timeline, saying that they must start the process by July 1, and if it is not complete in 60 days, the parties must go to arbitration. If no decision is made by year’s end, the entities cease to collect the penny for LOST.
The board adopted a resolution to reduce the number of members on the Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority from nine to five. They had agreed to that change in October, but needed a formal resolution before taking it to the legislature. And, until the legislation passes, the JCWSA is having a difficult time getting a quorum for the meetings, as it must be a quorum based on nine members. Therefore they made a temporary appointment for Mark Walton to serve on the board until the legislation passes, at which time his appointment expires.
Commissioners agreed to open a new bank account for the Sheriff’s Office for Federal Asset Forfeitures. Larissa Ruark has been hired in the finance department, and she made the presentation. She also presented the second quarter financials.
Also, moving ahead on renovation at the Sheriff’s Office, the county named Barnsley Construction Group as the Construction Manager at Risk.
Commissioners also agreed to serve as the Fiscal Agent for Family Connection, something the county has done for many years.
Commissioners again put off Clerk of Court LeAnn Airington on her request for American Recue Plan funds for scanning and indexing records. Mrs. Airington first approached the commission several months ago. She wanted to use her current vendor, and had an estimate for the work. Commissioners wanted her to get more information and more quotes. She brought a quote from her current vendor, Kofile, who works with her currently on indexing records, and another vendor. Commissioners said for her to get three bids and come back.
Commissioners named Crystal Smallwood to the 911 Authority board. A former 911 operator, Ms. Smallwood indicated she felt she had something to offer, and could share a dispatcher’s point of view on decisions the board makes.
Commissioners agreed to have a work session later this month to meet with a representative of SAFEbuilt about helping revamp the zoning ordinances.
During citizen comments, Mary Patrick spoke against using the firm from Florida. She said there is a local person who knows the codes better than anyone and recommended the county attempt to hire Peggy Billerman to help look at the codes and what needs changing. She also said if the zoning ordinances are not enforced, they are useless.
Jane Hooper also spoke during citizen comments, and questioned the magnitude of the project at the recreation department. She encouraged the commissioners not to build more than the county can afford to keep up, and said “take baby steps.”
After about 45 minutes, the commissioners voted to go into closed session to discuss personnel, and the public was asked to leave the room.
