County Will Purchase Two Vans

The Jasper County Commissioners voted Monday to purchase new vans for both the Jasper County Senior Center and the Jasper County 4-H Program.

Kasey Hall, 4-H Agent, has been asking for a nwe van for four years, and the commissioners agreed earlier this year they wanted to do something. After presentations at last month’s meeting, commissioners put off the purchase until this month. This month they received a report on fund balance, then agreed to buy the vans out of this year’s contingency. They had considered buying them out of fund balance, and could still turn there later if needed.

Commissioners had discussed buying them before the end of fiscal 2017, by June 30, and paying cash out of leftover contingency. That money rolled into fund balance when the year ended, so commissioners decided to use this year’s contingency. If something else comes up, they may have to go into fund balance, but at this time it is not necessary. Tracy Norton was making the presentation for the Senior Center, and had addressed the commissioners several times also.

The commissioners adopted a financial policy that they had been studying for some months. Each year, the county’s auditor has urged them to have a policy. Thre was some dissension in earlier discussion, as the commissioners did not agree on the appropriate amount of fund balance to try to maintain. Monday, the policy calling for 45 percent of the budget being the earmark for fund balance, passed unanimously.

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In regards to the senior center, commissioners agreed to the formula put forth by Mrs. Norton, whereby two people can clean the center each day, costing $3,900 over the remainder of the year. Mrs. Norton explained the positions that had been doing the cleaning were cut in the federal budget, so they didn’t have that anymore. Commissioners agreed to charge the expense to public buildings/ maintenance.

Before handling that old business, commissioners approved two proclamations—one for “Celebrating the Heritage” and the other recognizing St. James A.M.E. Church for 150 years service to the community.

Commissioners also held two public hearings. The first was on the installation of speed bumps on Lakeshore Drive. Cathy Benson approached the commissioners about this three years ago. Earlier this year, they developed a policy, and had Ms. Benson get the signatures of residents of the neighborhood. At Monday’s public hearing, numerous people were in favor of the speed bumps, and no one was against. Since no dissenters were at the meeting commissioners did not hear from the “yeses” either, and approved the installation of speed bumps.

They also held a public hearing on the Development of Community Affairs Capital Improvements Element (CIE) of the Short Term Work Program portion of the Comprehensive Plan. Charles Forsythe said he disagreed with the CIE\ saying he did not know where the commissioners found the numbers contained in the plan.

The commissioners agreed to advertise for citizens to serve on the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, and develop that committee at the regular December meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 4.

County Manager Mike Benton asked the commissioners if they were ready to submit the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) road(s) to the state, and there was much discussion. Previously, commissioners had indicated they would continue working on Post Road until it had all been done. Now, they are considering doing several other smaller roads rather than putting all the money on one road. They will likely meet again later this month to discuss it further.

Commissioner Don Jernigan, saying he was new, asked if Pintail could be included in the paving project. It’s only a tenth of a mile, he said, but is heavily traveled, and needs work. Commissioner Doug Luke said Dykes Road was teh worst road in the county. A resident of Doe Lane, who was attending her first commission meeting, said her road is terrible. Commissioners agreed to consider contracting for triple-surface treatment for several roads like that rather than doing the asphalt paving on Post Road. In other action at Monday’s meeting, commissioners:

•Heard a fourth quarter 2017 and first quarter fiscal 20198 financial report from Rhonda Blissett.

•Learned Blount Consturction had begun work on Pot Road that day (Monday).

• Learned that the curbside cart audit was set up.

•Went into closed session to discuss personnel and the possible acquisition of real estate.