County Handles Much Business
The Jasper County Commissioners Monday unanimously approved a proclamation declaring Saturday, Dec. 7, Centennial Farm and Family Day in Jasper County.
The proclamation will be read Saturday on the Courthouse steps when the families are recognized.
The commissioners also approved 13 paid holidays for the employees, and the meeting dates for 2020. The only meeting that will not be the first Monday in the month is September, when the Labor Day holiday will bump the meeting back one week.
During commissioners’ comments, Commissioner Don Jernigan said he thought the commission should start having some work sessions on projects that are in the works such as the sheriff’s complex, the recreation complex, the public works shop and Courthouse repair. A current Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) is raising money for the sheriff’s office and recreation complex. There is also some money in the SPLOST for the shop, but the need for extensive Courthouse repairs had not been made known when the SPLOST was passed.
Commissioner Bruce Henry asked about the progress on Aikenton Road. County Manager Mike Benton said the contractor is trying to get to it, but he has to have the right weather. It was a late addition to the road projects, so it has not yet been done. Commissioner Gerald Stunkel asked for an update on the 911 phone system, and Mr. Benton said he would get back to him.
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Commissioner Doug Luke talked about an issue on Gaissert Road, and said that he had learned that Public Works Superintendent Preston Campbell and the concerned homeowner have an appointment to get together. He said beyond the culvert in question, the road needs maintenance.
Commissioner Luke also said that work on the new bridge on Pitts Chapel Road is slated to begin the first of the year, and should take about 120 days. He said signs saying the road is closed are supposed to be posted two weeks prior to the closure. He said those signs would be going up in a few days.
Chairman Carl Pennamon encouraged the others to attend Saturday’s festivities kicking off the Smithsonian exhibit in Monticello.
Commissioners named Michael Fleming to the Recreation Department board, and thanked four others for expressing an interest and attending Monday’s meeting. Commissioners learned new scoreboards for the recreation department have been ordered.
Commissioners held a first reading and public hearing on a county ordinance for a hotel-motel tax. The tax would be on all places that rent by the day or week, not including regular rental property. What is included would be AirBNB properties, hotels, bed and breakfast and other casual rental property. It is a five percent tax for the unincorporated areas of the county, and includes campgrounds.
Monticello Mayor Pro-tem-elect Gail Harrell introduced herself to the commissioners. She said she didn’t know all of them, and she is looking forward to a spirit of cooperation between the city and the county.
Commissioners also approved several alcohol license renewals, including those for Tyson’s Country Store, Lakeview Marina, Lakeview Restaurant, Frank’s Restaurant, Turtle Cove Property Owners Association, Larry’s 4-Way and Bear Creek Marina Restaurant.
They also approved a contract renewal for Triple Point Engineering for landfill compliance and engineering consulting services at the same cost as this year.
