Commission Tables Many Decisions
Only three of the five Jasper County Commissioners attended Monday’s meeting, so many items on the agenda were tabled until a full board was available. The commissioners normally meet the first Monday in the month, but it was postponed this month because of the Labor Day holiday. They were to meet last week, and Tropical Storm Irma stopped that. So the meeting was moved to Monday, Sept. 18.
Monticello Mayor Bryan Standifer attended as did Mayor Pro-tem Stone Workman and Councilwoman Cynthia Miller. They were on the agenda to talk to the county about taking over the city’s code enforcement. However, when the time came, Commission Chair Carl Pennamon said there are a lot of details to work out. Mayor Standifer agreed, and said we are willing to sit down with you. The city and county attorneys have already met and discussed the logistics.
Currently the city’s and county’s ordinances are somewhat different, but the city is prepared to accept/adopt the county’s codes. However, according to Attorney David Ozburn, there may be other conflicts. One reason the city is seeking the county’s help is the city no long has a court to prosecute ordinance violations.
Chief Magistrate Tim Lam, according to information at the meeting, feels he can’t legally pursue city code violations…it’s not in his jurisdiction. The city wants to enter an intergovernmental agreement with the county so the city’s cases can be prosecuted. Mr. Ozburn indicated that there are two separate problems with the county taking over for the city, and is not sure the magistrate could process cases from the city.
Chairman Pennamon said the two entities need to sit down and hash things out. He said there is a lot of time involved, and” before we make a hard decision, we need to sit down and talk about it.”
Mayor Standifer said when? After a little discussion, Chairman Pennamon said they would discuss it at the next regular meeting, scheduled for October 2.
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County Manager Mike Benton updated commissioners on the landfill fire, saying it is finally out. The fire started burning last Wednesday morning and was not fully extinguished until Monday afternoon.
Commissioners held a public hearing on a family burial plot for Frank Arnold Bowen and Denise Bowne, and after hearing no comments, approved the special use.
Commissioners tabled, until more are present, a presentation on the 911 communications system update, discussion on a new 4-H vehicle, financial policy review, and several items for the Jasper County Senior Center. They also tabled discussion of a new 4-H vehicle.
Commissioners agreed to purchase a debit/credit card machine for the planning & zoning office, and agreed to sign a memorandum of agreement with the RDC for the Comprehensive Plan. Commissioners also approved a renewal of the contract with Sewall Mapping for the Tax Assessors office, and probation services agreement for Jasper County Probate Court. They also approved a retail alcohol license for Tyson’s Country Store, a transfer from Susie Q’s. They tabled the fourth quarter financial review.
At the end of the meeting, during citizen comments, Adam McGinnis told commissioners time is of the essence with code enforcement. He said property values are directly impacted by code enforcement. He said he’d love to see the county take over more services.
Charles Forsythe questioned the county taking over code enforcement for the city, and referred to the slums along the lake where nothing has been done, implying we do not have the capability to take on more. Mary Patrick suggested the city do its own code enforcement, and said Turtle Cove, Rollingwood Cove and Alcovy Shores all look awful, and the county hasn’t fixed those problems.
