Commissioners O.K. Plan For Senior Center Upgrade
The Jasper County Commissioners saw a presentation from the architect for the remodeled Senior Center building, and gave the go-ahead to put the project out to bid. The county received a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant for the project.
Once the bid is let, the project is anticipated to take about eight months. In another action concerning the senior citizens, the commission approved a proclamation for Older American’s Month which is observed in May.
Commissioners heard from Lynn Bentley who tried to explain the digest changes. She said the increase in digest included real property increases of $29.7 million overall increase in personal property. Notable increases include Norton, Cal-Maine, Dexter Axle, Oldcastle and Pittman Construction. There was also a $7 million increase in new single family housing. She said they anticipate 230 permits for 2018, not including new housing. They also completed the review of some 1,500 properties.
Other increases in the digest include inflationary adjustment of $36,883,820 which is a result of the real estate market. Of the $36 million increase (total value) 65 percent are residential structures, mostly in Turtle Cove and Monticello. Thirty-five percent is in small tracts countywide, with some lake lot changes.
Additional changes include a timber increase in revenue of $3.8 million, and new heavy equipment at a value of $1 million. The last highlight was land moved from one time of conservation to another resulting in $7.7 million. Mrs. Bentley explained how values are derived, and stressed that the idea is to be fair to each and every taxpayer…with each person paying taxes on what they actually have and not paying them on what they don’t have.
Mrs. Bentley also asked for a resolution on the Freeport exemption that was approved by voters in 1992. The state has asked for the resolution, and although the county has honored the exempton all along, a resolution could not be found. This will remedy that situation.
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Commissioners also heard from 911 director Betty Jump on a couple different items. The first item was the final payment to Transcom for upgrades to the radio system. They had held off paying this as the system was not doing as well s promised, but now most of the kinks are out, she said, and they need to be paid. There is another phase planned which will improve radio service. She also talked to them about a maintenance plan for the siren warning system.
Fire/EMS Director Chris Finch also helped explain the situation. After some discussion, commissioners agreed not to do a maintenance plan and to encourage everyone to sign up for Code Red Warnings on their phones and computers. Once signed up for Code Red, the system will send alerts to a home phone, cell phone or e-mail address.
Commissioner agreed to go out for bid on several items for the Public Works Department (PWD). County Manager Mike Benton said that a road broom, crack sealer and flat bed truck were needed for PWD. After some discussion it was approved to both go out for bid and get prices on used items. In addition, at the behest of Commissioner Doug Luke, they will also get a price on a limb cutter attachment.
The commissioners agreed to seek bids to do the 2018 Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) project which is another 2.52 miles on Post Road. This is the third year the county has done a stretch of Post Road with LMIG funding. The road is approximately 11 miles long, and this will have resurfaced about six miles.
In other action at Monday’s meeting, commissioners:
*Approved budget amendments for fire/rescue for equipment acquired through grants. The grants won’t completely cover the equipment, but the remainder will come from the fire/rescue budget. The items to be purchased include a computer and camera with accessories and software and a combustible gas detector. A separate grant will fund three Ferno scoop stretchers and three SureTemp Plus 690 thermometers, as well as three child restraint systems used when transporting children.
*Approved the Georgia State Defense Force request for the use of county facilities.
*Re-named Dr. Wiley Jordan to the Board of Health.
* Named Jasper County Extension Agent Charlie Todd to the Upper Ocmulgee River RC&D Council.
*Approved for the new finance director, Dennis Pate, to use online banking.
*Approved an agreement with Peachtree Recovery Services, Inc. to recover monies when county property is damaged. There is no cost to the county and there could be monies reaped.
Mr. Benton informed commissioners that someone from Precision Planning will be in the office next week to discuss a plan for the jail, senior center, recreation area to make it all flow together. He also said it would be better to get a construction plan before cutting trees, as there is less red tape to jump through that way.
At the close of the regular meeting, commissioners went into closed session to discuss possible litigation and Courthouse security. That budget item has increased significantly, but during the budget meeting, commissioners indicated they were going to hear from a Superior Court Judge. At Monday’s meeting, Sheriff Donnie Pope was going to talk to them.
