County Continues To Discuss SPLOST

The Jasper County Commissioners held a work session on the upcoming Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) referendum that will be held in November, before their regular meeting Monday, and while they were generally brainstorming, several ideas were brought out.

The commissioners have trimmed the original requests of more than $10 million down to $7.8 million, but the tax is only anticipated to bring in $3.9 million for the county over six years. Commission Chairman Carl Pennamon suggested taking out the Health Department request for $800,000, the 911 request of $480,000, and the Sheriff’s Office request of $3 million to reach its goal. But, he was not suggesting not funding those items, just finding additional avenues of funding.

County Manager Mike Benton is to research grants and bonds over the next week, and the commissioners will meet again Monday, April 10, at 6 p.m., to discuss it further. Sheriff Donnie Pope suggested that the funding he is requesting would come off the top of the SPLOST, meaning it would not come just out of the county’s portion, but would come out of the total amount, which includes what each city will receive.

While he was making his plea, Chairman Pennamon cut him off. (The Jasper County Courthouse renovation and expansion was paid for with SPLOST, and the proceeds came off the top of the SPLOST.)

Sheriff Pope did say that the Grand Jury for the last several years has recommended the expansion of the administrative side of the jail, and he feels it should be a priority. Commissioner Bruce Henry said that if the Grand Jury toured the roads, it would also recommend roads be paid for by SPLOST.

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In discussion, commissioners made it clear they would like to fund everything requested, but the tax just won’t bring in enough. Chairman Pennamon suggested perhaps General Obligation bonds with part of the re-payment coming from SPLOST, and then money would be coming in from Shire and the Four County Development Authority, which could take over those payments.

Commissioner Doug Luke was adamant that whatever they decide, it should not impact property tax bills.

Mr. Benton should present different funding scenarios next Monday.

Regular Meeting

The Jasper County Commissioners Monday voted to purchase a new ambulance, as the motor is blown in the spare, and the county currently only has two ambulances running. Fire/EMS director Chris Finch came to the commissioners with the proposal. A new motor will cost $17,000, and he didn’t feel like that much money should be put into the old ambulance.

Mr. Finch got quotes from three vendors, and the low quote came from Southeastern Specialty Vehicles. Southeastern will loan the county an ambulance to be used as back-up at no charge while the county’s ambulance is being built. After much discussion about bids and needs, commissioners agreed to purchase a new ambulance, and pay for it from money left in the EMS (Emergency Medical Service) budget and contingency.

Commissioners also agreed to the purchase of cardiac monitors and stretchers for the ambulance. They instructed Mr. Finch to put out to bid an ALS Response Vehicle which will be used by him, and paid for by impact fees. Mr. Finch had gotten the state contract price, and a lower price, but commissioners felt like it should still be bid out.

After considerable discussion, commissioners agreed to pass a “Traffic Calming Policy,” which basically addresses when and where speed bumps will be placed. The county is approached fairly often to put speed bumps on a given road. The policy would require signatures of all the property owners, and at least 70 percent in favor of the bumps. In addition, they talked about a six month minimum that the bumps would remain in place if residents decided they didn’t like them. To have them removed, it would also take a 70 percent majority.

In other action at Monday’s meeting, commissioners:

•Again denied a pouring license for beer and wine for Haystack Wings & Thangs on Pennington Road at Hwy. 142. Several people spoke out against the license during citizen comments which were moved to the beginning of the meeting.

•Agreed to a fine schedule for Magistrate Court for ordinance violations.

•Held a public hearing on several health department issues. They agreed with the recommendation for Sanitarian David Mercer to change a number of fees, and to charge for items that previously did not cost the applicant.

•Learned Madison Studios is working on revamping the county website.

•Got a progress report on the Pitts Chapel Bridge. Surveying of surrounding properties should be finished by the end of the week or first of next week.

•Reminded those gathered that April is clean-up Jasper month, and residents may dump household excess at the landfill for free this month.

•Learned that House Bill 204 was defeated so the county can continue to put its curbside fee on the tax bill.

•Learned that a state 911 authority was created which may help Jasper County collect more monies.