County Conducts Hearings

The Jasper County Commissioners, at their regular monthly meeting Monday, held three public hearings, including one for a new cell tower; appointed numerous people to boards, and conducted more interviews for the Public Facilities Authority Board (PFA).

Four people will be named to the PFA, and about 10 have expressed interest. The commissioners interviewed some at a work session last month, and the remainder, except one, Monday evening. Those interviewed Monday included Charles Forsythe, Tony Tanner, and Tyson Harty. They plan to interview one more candidate, possibly at next Monday’s work session, then they will make a decision as to who will serve.

They also named Bill Whitten to the Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority, which still has several vacancies and candidates are being sought for; Rosemary Thompson to the Alcovy Shores Water & Sewer Authority. For the 911 board, three individuals terms were up, and all three wanted to be reappointed, and Mary Patrick also applied. The commission re-appointed Sandra Carter and Julie Bennett, both of whom were at Monday’s meeting, but did not reappoint Jeffrey Lee, who currently serves as chair of that board. They named Ms. Patrick to the board.

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Two positions on the Planning & Zoning Commission were up for renewal, and Ronald Burch and Julie Bennett were both reappointed. Ms. Patrick had also applied for that board. Ms. Patrick said she has kept up with zoning laws for the last 20 years, attends all the meetings, and is very interested. When asked, she said she serves on the P&Z Appeals Board, but was not asking to be reappointed to that.

The public hearings on auctions did not attract much interest from anyone but the applicant, William Johnson, along with his wife, and the auctioneer that works with them. The Johnsons are seeking a text amendment to the county’s code of ordinances to allow a livestock auction in the table of permitted uses. If that passes, then the Johnsons could conceivably then apply for an auction permit, as the livestock auction would be a conditional use with each applicant requiring permission. The P&Z board had recommended approval, 5-0, said P&Z Director Shane Sealy.

However, the Johnsons were also seeking a text amendment for a general auction, as they typically sell agricultural accessors that go with livestock, such as feeders and other necessary paraphernalia. But P&Z recommended denial, 5-0. Commissioners did not take any action on either zoning as a second hearing is required.

A public hearing on a new Verizon tower on Post Road attracted no interest from the public, and the Verizon representative at the meeting did not have to answer any questions.

Commissioners also approved the application for a Community Development Block Grant to build a new Jasper County Community Food Bank. The application will move forward, and the county wlll learn later this year if it gets approved.

There was much discussion about changing the name of the road, Georgia-Pacific Road, to Carl Pennamon Memorial Parkway. Commissioner Don Jernigan made a motion for it to be a legal change, citing the fact that Georgia Pacific is no longer in Jasper County, and there are only two businesses and one residence on the road that would have to change their addresses legally. Commissioners said one business that was located on former Georgia-Pacific property was in favor of the change. The other business, Fowler-Flemister Concrete Company, and the residents were opposed to a legal name change. The legal name change would affect the U.S. Postal Service, emergency services, and maps.

Commissioner Jernigan’s motion failed for the lack of a second. The commission did vote unanimously however to give the road the honorary name of Carl Pennamon Memorial Parkway and for the county to erect signs at each end of the road.

During the meeting, County Manager Mike Benton gave an update, saying the public works shop is on track to be completed in late March or early April. In addition, renovations on the Heatlh Department are on track, also to be completed in April.

In other action, commissioners:

•Heard the Second Quarter Financial Reports which showed most departments where they should be. Some 78 percent of revenues have been collected, and 50 percent of the expenses have been spent. Dennis Pate, county finance director, also reviewed the 2018 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) revenues, saying collections have remained steady. He also reviewed the Impact Fees, showing there is a good bit of money there.

•Approved the 2020 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan Update Adoption.

•Approved the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG), to complete re-surfacing to Post Road, and resurface Pintail Drive. In addition, the county will advertise later for crack sealing on Jackson Lake Road and Post Road.

•Discussed a no-littering program.

•Approved official zoning map updates.

•Authorized County Attorney David Ozburn to work on the Community Redevelopment Tax Incentive Program “The Blight Tax” for the commissioners to continue considering.

•Scheduled a work session for next Monday for a pre-budget review.