County O.K.s Budget; Gets 2019 Audit

The Jasper County Commission, at its regular meeting Monday evening, adopted the Fiscal Year 2021 budget of $11,389,629. The millage rate is set at 14.533 mills, which is slightly lower than the rollback rate.

The commission also heard a report on the 2019 audit, which had a clean opinion. There were several findings in the audit, however, but none that were particularly worrisome. Mark Hardison made the presentation during Monday’s meeting, outlining each section, and pointing out where expenses were and that the county is doing well in building its fund balance that it started several years ago. The general fund grew by some $616,000.

Mr. Hardison suggested the county may need to get a new program that Excel may not be enough, as there were formula errors in the capital assets reporting. Mr. Hardison spent about 20 minutes reviewing the audit, and commissioners each received a copy of the nearly 200 page document.

Also at Monday’s meeting, commissioners adopted the curbside pick-up fee of $151.31, and the fire hydrant fee of $28.63, the same as it has been for several years. That fee is for homes within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant operated by Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority. In addition, commissioners set the tax collections for the hospital at the rollback rate of 0.811 mills.

At the beginning of the meeting, the commission held a public hearing on the revised Conservation Subdivision Ordinance. No one spoke in favor or against. The biggest change to the ordinance is that 20 percent of the land must be green space as compared to the previous 40 percent.

During commissioner items, District 5 Commissioner Doug Luke questioned why couldn’t the Emergency Medical Service be set up to take debit and credit cards. He said he had first hand experience on how expensive an ambulance ride is, and that they don’t take those forms of payment. County Manager Mike Benton said he would look into it, and see that the change is made. Mr. Luke also questioned the progress on paving the access to the new Pitts Chapel Road Bridge that connects Jasper and Newton Counties. Mr. Benton said that it’s currently in Newton County’s hands, and they are working on it.

District 3 Commissioner Don Jernigan had several questions including a report on issues on New Hope Church Road and Fullerton Phillips Road. He also questioned what equipment is currently in the shop, and asked how the phone system is working, as the county has been experiencing some problems with the phones.

Commissioners learned that work on the Courthouse is almost complete, with the contractor expecting to finish up this month.

Commissioners had three people apply for a seat on the Planning and Zoning Commission. The term of Mrs. Francis Campbell was up, and someone had to be appointed to her three year term. She asked to be re-appointed, and two other individuals also applied. They were Chris Blakely and Greg Kerbow. The commission re-appointed Mrs. Campbell.

The commission also approved the contract with a new food vendor for the Jasper County Senior Center. Tracy Norton, director, said meals are still being delivered, and she is hoping that seniors can come back to the center in mid-August.

Lastly, the group agreed to meet with city of Monticello officials on Monday, July 20, at 6 p.m. at City Hall to discuss code enforcement. The city is hoping for the outcome to be an intergovernmental agreement so Magistrate Court can handle city Code Enforcement cases.