Commissioners Hear about EMS, Landfill, Water
The Jasper County Commissioners Monday heard a report from County Manager Karen Degges that staff and the EMS Committee agree that fire and EMS should be combined, and that the commission gave approval for that to happen years ago, but it has not yet taken place.
The commissioners voted for staff to move forward with the proposal as staff sees fit. The recommendation from Ms. Degges was a combination of the EMS (Emergency Medical Service) committee proposal submitted to the commissioners three months ago, and the staff’s recommendations in reference to the services.
The county manager’s recommendation was a five-phase proposal to be implemented over the next five years, with an overview for beyond that time. Both the county manager and the EMS committee recommend taking a close look at the service from all angles every five years as things change.
Within the next year, the organization chart will be restructured, the work schedules will be modified, and employee pay realigned. Many of the EMS employees area already cross-trained as firefighters, but more will become so.
All employees will fall under the umbrella of fire services, as that is the most effective for better Insurance Services Organization (ISO) ratings, pay ratings, grant possibilities and more.
For example, because of overtime worked, a current EMS employee would make $9.50 an hour, and gross $1330 for a two week pay period. Under the new arrangement, that same employee will make $9.89 per hour, and will gross $1330. The change is minimal, but it makes the county more desirable to part-time workers who are needed to fill in to prevent having to pay more overtime.
That would work across the board for all EMS employees, making a higher hourly pay it sounds more appealing. There is little change in the end.
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The commissioners heard the report in a half-hour long work session before the regular meeting, and discussed it more in the meeting.
During the regular meeting, commissioners heard from a law firm representing the Jasper County Water & Sewerage Authority requesting the money he says the county promised the JCWSA.
He said the JCWSA will default to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) if the county does not give them $20,000 by December 31. They presented a tally of amount the county owes JCWSA, and the total is $53,774.58 from 2006-2012, the JCWSA says.
The attorney said that the a condition of the loan and grant from the USDA was that the intergovernmental agreement between the county and JCWSA be signed, making it clear that all items were handled appropriately.
Former County Commissioner Mary Patrick has fought against paying this money to the JCWSA, saying the county never agreed to what the JCWSA says it did, and she presented her case during citizen comments. She said the resolution is not legitimate; it was never discussed in public, and was not voted on.
Mrs. Patrick says that the only time the water authority comes to the commission is to beg for money. She said the people voted against a water authority, then individuals went to the state legislature and formed one anyway. She insists the county has no obligation to pay the money the JCWSA says it is owed.
The commissioners tabled any action on the JCWSA request. At the end of its meeting, after coming out of a closed session discussion of personnel, the commissioners further discussed the JCWSA, but took no action.
Commissioner also heard about progress at the landfill. The county is currently under a consent order with the Environment Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and must move the fiber material at the landfill.
Ms. Degges reported that 700 truckloads had been moved since Thanksgiving when it has rained every day but two, but that even more can be moved if the land was to dry out. She said the current estimate is a total 3,500-4,000 truckloads will need to be moved.
The fine for not getting the job done is $1,000 a day, and is set to kick in before Christmas.
Ms. Degges indicated the EPD is happy that Jasper county is dealing with the fiber, and she feels like the fact that they are moving the fiber will keep them from assessing the fee. Ms. Degges said the Public Works Department (PWD) employees doing the job appreciate the confidence shown them to get the job done. The consulting firm helping the county said they could not have recommended a better crew, according to Ms. Degges.
The commissioners commented at their last meeting that they hope the public will be patient with them at this time, as it is taking most of the county resources, which means they aren’t out fixing roads. Because of the rains, some county roads are in bad shape, but it is also difficult to improve them when it is raining.
Once the fiber is moved, the county has another challenge, and tat is to empty a retention pond. An estimate to take care of that problem is $46,000. Ms. Degges indicated they would continue to seek ways to handle the problem in a more cost effective, yet environmentally friendly way.
Commissioners approved numerous budget amendments for the 2013 fiscal year, including taking $150,000 from fund balance to lessen the deficit budget of the landfill. Auditor Mark Hardison explained the landfill would still be in the red, but that the state wants to see the county is making progress on lessening the loss.
Commissioner Gene Trammell asked if the landfill had ever broken even and was told that it has always been subsidized by the general fund. Mr. Hardison referred to several improvements at the landfill that had cost the county considerably. They are all part of what is required by the EPD.
Mr. Hardison said the landfill had revenues of $71,000, and expenses of $418,000. He said that the county’s budget was only $116,200. It budgeted transfers of $180,700, but was still coming up short. The gas line expansion cost the county $109,000.
The landfill will show a deficit of $184,000 said Mr. Hardison after the transfer. He said the county needs a systematic long-term plan to take care of the landfill.
In other action, the commissioners:
•Approved the short term work program resolution and authorized the chairman to sign. They had discussed this at the last meeting, noting that it was done, but had not signed the resolution. Now the county is eligible for grants that it could not get while the county was not in compliance.
•Approved a property sale for the tax commissioner.
•Re-appointed Jim Stansell and Karen Breeding to the Board of Assessors.
•Approved suggested names for an advisory committee for the recreation program planning advisory committee to work with the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission.
•Approved the 2014 alcohol license renewals.
•Briefly discussed furlough days and acknowledged that as bad as they didn’t like them, they must continue.