Commission Approves Budget Amendments, Revises Impact Fees

The Jasper County Commissioners Monday discussed several items of business, including budget amendments to work towards closing the books on 2019 so the audit can be conducted, a change to the impact fee distribution, and spent much time discussing the purchase of a dump truck.

The budget amendments resulted in $14,567.47 being spent out of fund balance for a total of nine amendments. The biggest amendment was $8,540 for the Magistrate Court. County Manager Mike Benton explained that the Chief Magistrate budgeted to be paid for 60 hours a pay period, but he certifies he is working 78 hours a pay period.

County Attorney David Ozburn is to meet with Chief Magistrate Tim Lam and see if he can get some understanding or resolution.

There were several other budget amendments, with the largest being jail and courthouse security in the amount of $57,500, which is offset by the sheriff’s budget.

Another item that received considerable discussion was that of impact fee distribution. When they were set up, some 34 percent was allocated to the library. Well it turns out the library needs operating funds more than it needs impact fees. Impact fees are to cover capital expenses incurred by increased development. The fees are supposed to help offset services required by increased growth..

The six areas that get impact fees, and their old allocation, are library, 34 percent; parks, 14 percent; fire, 17 percent; jail, 24 percent; sheriff, five percent, and E-911 three percent. Now that the commissioners know that the library doesn’t need the funding as much and the E-911 needs a new telephone system as well as numerous other needs, they agreed to make changes. They have discussed them in a previous work session, and each commissioner submitted his opinion of how the new distribution should go.

The new distribution, which the county will submit to the Department of Community Affairs for approval, is library, two percent; parks, 20 percent (the county plans to build a new multi-purpose building at the rec department); fire, 19 percent; jail, 17 percent; sheriff 22 percent; and E-911 18 percent. Another two percent for administration will equal 100 percent. Previously administration was three percent.

Along with the new impact fee distribution, the county must submit an update to its short term work program, which the commissioners reviewed briefly.

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The county manager and public works department head had sought bids for a dump truck for the county. There was much discussion on three of the four trucks that were bid. Commissioner Gerald Stunkel runs a trucking business, and was familiar with the various engines and transmissions bid.

Commissioners opted to go with a new 2020 Western Star Model 4700SF from Peach State for $140,792. It will be paid for out of the 2012 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). There will still be money in that account, but commissioners were concerned about draining it that much, as they still want/need to build a new PWD shop, and there the county will also need its local match for Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) road work.

But, after determining how serious the need is, they voted unanimously to buy the truck.

In other action at Monday’s regular meeting, commissioners:

•Appointed Chrissy Mason, Johnathan Green, Valarie Bennett and Ed Jernigan to serve on the recreation board.

•Appointed Commissioner Stunkel to be the delegate to the ACCG legislative leadership conference. They discussed which topics were of importance to them, and will e-mail Mr. Stunkel others if they see them.

•Agreed to sign an audit engagement letter for Clifton, Lipford, Hardison, & Parker for the 2019 audit. They also agreed to develop a request for proposals (RFP) to put out early next year to see if they want to stay with the same firm or change firms.

•Approved Carole Norris as chair, and Sharon Robinson as vice-chair of the county’s complete county committee to encourage a complete count for the census next year. The census figures determine levels of funding from numerous sources, so it is important to have an accurate count.

•Agreed to sign a support letter for the Development Authority of Walton County for a OneGeorgia Authority Equity Application.