Commissioners Handle Business

The Jasper County Commissioners handled much business at their regular meeting Monday including appointing one member, Tommy Eaton, to the Alcovy Shores Water & Sewerage Authority board, and re-appointing four people to the 911 Authority Board. They are County Manager Mike Benton, Sandra Carter, Julia Richardson and Jeffery Lee, Sr. In addition, one other representative needs to be appointed from the county.

The Alcovy Shores Authority also asked the county for a letter saying it is not a component unit of the county. There was some discussion as to who would write the letter, and exactly what it would say. It was determined the county attorney would write the letter that should meet the needs of the authority, and satisfy the commission.

In other 911 business, the county renewed its contract for CodeRed, a service that calls, e-mails, and texts individuals when there is a threat of severe weather. Betty Jump, 911 director, said that they have a lot of people signed up to receive the messages. The cost is $4,513 per year.

The county had public hearings scheduled for the Health Department to review the rules and regulations of body art and the rules for portable sanitation contractors. Carla Coley with the Department of Public Health which oversees Jasper and other area health departments made a presentation to the commissioners. She explained that the county had not previously had a policy for body art which includes tattoos and piercings, and that it is needed.

She said the Health Department has the power to oversee and regulate these services, but if the local county adopts an ordinance it is easier to prosecute through Magistrate Court and not have to go to state court.

The public hearings were not held, as Charles Forsythe objected, saying the material was not available for review until late afternoon the day of the scheduled hearing. Since the county did not have to take action, it did not at Monday’s meeting.

Commissioners also agreed to again designate April as clean-up month for the county. It will waive landfill fees for Jasperites bringing residential waste to the landfill during normal operating hours during April.

Commissioners learned that County Manager Mike Benton had met with property owners on the Jasper and Newton sides of the Pitts Chapel Road bridge which is scheduled for replacement. One property owner was willing to donate the land for the right-of-way required for the bridge, and the others were amenable to selling it. Newton County would buy the necessary right-of-way in its county, and Jasper would buy the needed property in this county. The amount the county will have to purchase is probably about a half-acre. Mr. Benton is to move forward with getting it surveyed.

Commissioners approved Allen Smith Consulting as the grant administrator for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for which the county is applying for a senior center addition and renovation. If the grant is not received, the company gets nothing.

Commissioners also learned that the new Comprehensive Plan may be able to be done free of charge or for a reduced amount by the Regional Development Commission (RDC) under new guidelines. Mr. Benton is to meet with the RDC and discuss fees and try to set up a date the county can meet with RDC personnel to begin the process.

Commissioners also learned that the Department of Transportation may replace two bridges on Post Road, but the DOT wants the county to agree to pay half the purchase of right-of-way if needed.

The commissioners heard from Alicia Lindsey, a teacher at Jasper County Primary School, who spearheaded the Project Shade project that the county helped with. She had high praise for the commissioners coming out and helping plant shade trees at the school, and for the workers and equipment they provided.

Commissioner Craig Salmon urged the county manager to move forward on improvements to the county’s website and Facebook page.

Commissioner Bruce Henry said that people don’t understand the SPLOST (see related story), and the budget. He indicated he has received phone calls urging him to support the sheriff. He said this board has always supported the sheriff.

Commission Chair Carl Pennamon said that he and others would be going to an open house at Shire Pharmaceutical Tuesday, and said he did not determine who got invited to the open house; the company (Shire) handled that.

In his update to the commission, Mr. Benton said that changes to the Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA) that will result in less money coming to Jasper County had passed the House and is in the Senate now. He also said he is following House Bill 204 that would prevent counties from adding fees to the tax bill. Currently, Jasper has a garbage curbside fee on the tax bill and a fire hydrant tax on the bill.

At the end of the meeting, commissioners heard concerns from several residents. One wanted to urge commissioners to be vigilant in citing code violations, and another questioned the square footage required for homes in the county. Another resident fussed that her road needed attention and that speeding was a serious problem. Another suggested putting landfill hours on the website.