Commission Approves Upgrades for Voting
The Jasper County Board of Commissioners voted Monday evening to proceed with electrical upgrades to the three voting precincts in the county as mandated by the state. An inspector from the Secretary of State said that the county does not have the electrical power necessary for the new voting machines.
County manager Mike Benton sought quotes from two local electricians, as time is of the essence. Early voting begins March 2. Commissioners agreed Monday to take the low estimate from Bluebird Electric at a cost of $9,650. Some $5,175 of that will be spent at the Courthouse, and another $3,200 will be spent at the fire station on Jackson Lake Road. Lastly, some $1,275 worth of upgrades will be made at the Wyatt precinct on Hwy. 142.
The state will cover half the cost, leaving the cost to the county $4,825. The new machines are in, and must be charged every three months, explained Probate Judge Andrea Brown, elections superintendent. In addition, there must be enough juice to power all the machines that are needed to vote.
In addition, the state requires security for the voting precincts, so Judge Brown talked with the entity that handled the Courthouse security cameras and got a price to secure the precincts. That will cost the county $10,925, much of which will be reimbursed by the state. The net cost to county for the security is $2,731.25.
Commissioners also voted to approve reallocation of funds in the Planning & Zoning budget so the Code Enforcement Officer can get required training. The P&Z revenues are up over what was budgeted, as construction is taking off, so the money was available. They also agreed to re-allocate $5,000 that was budgeted for the Jasper County Extension Agricultural and Natural Resources agent to be used for the Extension 4-H position. The ag agent has left, and the University of Georgia won’t consider replacing him until after the state budget is set. Therefore more than $5,000 of money budgeted for him will not be paid out.
The 4-H agent’s salary was set up in 2008 to be paid by an endowment. The county has not had to pay its portion of that salary since that time. However, the endowment has not generated the income and UGA has taken care of her salary. At budget time, UGA will ask the county to fund her position just like the ag position which is a base of $15,000.
The county heard from Engineer Robert Jordan about the bid process for the new public works shop. The shop will be 60’ by 80’, and Mr. Jordan and county staff have designed the layout and bid specifications for the building. The bids specs will be advertised, and bids are expected to be in by March 19.
Commissioners discussed the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) project of paving Post Road. LMIG funds and the local match are only enough to pave about 2.7 miles of the road, doing full depth reclamation and widening the road by two feet. However the commissioners would like to finish the road which is about 4.2 miles. The estimated price difference in more than $400,000 that would have to come totally from local funds. However, the commissioners voted to put it out to bid both ways, and when they have firm bids, they can decide whether they can finish the road or not.
They also instructed the county manager to get with city of Monticello Manager Tim Young and see if the bids for Post Road and whatever LMIG project the city plans to do should be advertised together to possibly get a better price.
Commissioners also discussed the public works department schedule. That department currently works four 10-hour days. There was much discussion about roads and road work and rain and inclement weather. Commissioner Doug Luke said when they don’t work Friday’s we’re losing a whole day. If the weather is nice on Friday, word should be done. He said we are losing the battle with maintaining roads, and suggested something must be done.
The commission authorized the county manager and PWD Director Preston Campbell to work together and come back with some suggestions. In the meantime, they authorized overtime for Friday’s when logical.
Commissioners heard from Carole Norris about the Census committee.
Mrs. Norris and Sharon Robinson were tapped for the committee chairmanship. They ran two ads looking for people to help them, and got little response. Their job is to be cheerleaders for the census encouraging everyone they need to be counted. The number of people counted affects how much state money is spent here, how districts are aligned and much more. She asked the commissioners to find one or two people each who would be willing to serve.
The commissioners had a “first reading” of a text amendment that would allow lease lots to be eligible for “Lot of Record” status. If approved, it would be the last of the privately leased lots on Jackson Lake, said Pete Malone who spoke in favor of the amendment. The P&Z board held a hearing on the text amendment in December and voted 5-0 to recommend approval. The county held its first reading, and held a public hearing. Next month, another public hearing will be held, then it can be adopted if the commissioners choose.
In other action, commissioners:
•Approved the design change for the health department. The remodeling will be covered by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
•Agreed to plan a work session with Monticello officials and Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) officials concerning traffic and parking on the Square.
•Approved the 2021 budget calendar.
•Approved a budget amendment for fund raising for the Jasper County Senior Center.
•Adopted the Capital Improvement Element and Short Term Work Program of the Comprehensive Plan. The main change was the percentage of revenue that will go to each entity through the impact fees.
•Discussed having a work session prior to board appointments to give them more time to get to know applicants. In the past they had few applicants, but recently have had to turn people away. They generally require applicants to come to a meeting to be considered for a position.
•Heard the second quarter financial report.
