Commission Works with Development Authority
After a closed session for more than an hour, to discuss pending litigation and real estate acquisition, the Jasper County Commissioners came out and voted to enter into an intergovernmental agreement and lease the cannery property on Hillsboro Street to the Development Authority of Jasper County (DAJC).
There had been some discussion about the vacant building over recent months, as Rev. Jimmy Horton of Springfield Baptist Church had expressed an interest in it, and the commissioners agreed to clean it out, and go from there. Apparently the DAJC said it would be interested in the property, and now that has taken place. The county also voted to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with DAJC for financing and purchase of 825 Eatonton Street.
During the regular meeting, the commissioners named five people, several returning, to the Planning and Zoning Board for staggered terms. Serving three year term are Justin Owens and Mike McCombie. Ron Burch and Julie Bennett were named to two year terms, and Frances Campbell is serving a one-year term.
They also made appointments to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Andrew Boyd and Terry Wynn will serve three year terms; Mary Patrick a two year term and Paul Kelly a one year term. There remains a vacancy on that board for a two year term.
Commissioners discussed impact fees and the Capital Improvement Element (CIE)of the Comprehensive Plan, and agreed to have a work session on both. More explanation is needed on the CIE for 2018, and the impact fees for 2019 need discussion.
Commissioners spent a good deal of time discussing the litter problem in the county, with Chairman Carl Pennamon saying spread the word, we’ve got to care more and clean our county up. The county will again designate April as clean up month, and forego tipping fees at the landfill for household trash from Jasper County residents. It is a good time for Jasperites to pick up litter around their property and maybe go a little further.
Sheriff Donnie Pope agreed to kick things off with a big litter pick-up on March 23. He will have community service workers and inmates out on litter detail that day. In addition, other civic groups may want to pick up trash during this time, and the county will provide the bags, which will ultimately be provided by Advanced Disposal as a partner in the clean-up.
Commissioner Don Jernigan contacted Sheriff Pope about the clean –up, and thanked Rev. Horton and the Boys To Men Club for its litter pick-up recently. They have committed to doing that at least once a month, based on what Rev. Horton told the Monticello City Council.
The commission also agreed for the senior center to close out its 2012 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) allocation of $2087 to purchase a new steam table for its renovated facility. The table will cost $2758, and the senior center budget will absorb what isn’t covered by the SPLOST.
Commissioners heard form Planning & Zoning Director Shane Sealy about a bill before the legislature that would pre-empt local building design standards. The Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) is opposed to it, and recommends county who oppose it to contact their legislators.
The commission signed a resolution opposed to the bill, and will forward it to Rep. Susan Holmes and Sen. Burt Jones.
The county agreed to contract with Jack Buckland Paving for work on four roads where the bad places are too long to patch. The total cost of $24,500, and the work should be completed within 60 days. Commissioners agreed to go to bid for a new tandem dump truck, and to work on getting a certified motor grader operator at which time they will consider buying another motor grader.
County Attorney David Ozburn told the commissioners that the City of Monticello was asking the legislature to give its municipal court back, and said once that is done, it plans to contract with the Magistrate Court for code enforcement.
