Commission Agrees to LOST Split
In what was the first non-unanimous vote of the current Jasper County Commission, the county voted Monday to concur with the city in the division of the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST).
The Monticello City Council voted in open meeting last week to agree to retaining the current division of 67 percent for the county, 30 percent for Monticello and three percent for Shady Dale, with the condition that the city of Monticello and Jasper County would each set aside two percent of their share for a particular need.
The city named that need as economic development, recreation or the library. County Attorney Jim Alexander said the two percent set-aside is something new, and Judge McConnell who could ultimately decide the division is not opposed to it, but wants it specifically earmarked. Therefore, Gene Trammell, County Commissioner from District 3, said in his motion that the two percent set aside for the city and the county would go to the library.
Those funds, along with possibly a bit from the school board, should be enough to reopen the library seven days a week. The Jasper County Library has only been open only three days a week for some time, and was facing losing its stature as a library.
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Mr. Alexander briefly reviewed the negotiations that began last summer with a very different county commission. The city started off negotiations wanting a percentage in the high 40s said Mr. Alexander, and the county only wanted the city to have a percentage in the high teens or 20s.
He said that after using a consultant and still not reaching agreement, he and the city’s attorney argued why the other party should not get what they were asking for. He said he thought the judge was leaning towards the county’s argument.
Each percentage point equals about $9,000 per year, said County Manager Lorri Smith. Both entities, in closed negotiations, had apparently agreed to the general principal, but the four percent had not been settled. If the city does not agree with the full four percent going to the library, then negotiations will be in order, as the judge said he wants it clearly spelled out in the order, said Mr. Alexander.
During the discussions, Commissioner Doug Luke voiced that he would like to see the city’s part go down to 28 percent, and there be no earmark. Commissioner Gene Trammel said that “our intent is for the city and county to work together. We’re all digging from the same pot.” He made the motion which was seconded by Commission Chair Carl Pennamon. After much discussion, it passed 3-2, with Commissioner Bruce Henry joining Commissioner Luke in casting dissenting votes. Commissioner Craig Salmon voted for the motion with Messrs. Trammell and Pennamon.
Another item that brought a good bit of discussion was the acquisition of a hearse for the coroner. Phillip Jordan of Jordan Funeral Home has offered a surplus vehicle he has to the county for $1,000. Coroner Michelle Haddock said it would cut costs for her to have a vehicle for transports rather than the county paying $475 each time.
During public comments, Charles Forsythe and Gay Morrison both questioned the purchase of the vehicle, with Mr. Forsythe asking if a cost analysis had been done, and with Mrs. Morrison saying she did not see the need for the coroner to require a vehicle.
The commissioners discussed the purchase, and asked Mrs. Smith about costs. She said the insurance would run $15 a month. She said the county currently pays $475 per transport, and has paid $2,850 so far this year. Some $6,000 is in the budget for transports. Commissioners agreed to have the county mechanic look over the vehicle, and vote at their next meeting, scheduled for April 1, whether or not to purchase the vehicle.
Another public comment came from former commissioner Mary Patrick who urged the commissioners not to settle an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint with former animal control director Kelley Bowen. Ms. Patrick made an impassioned plea to the commissioners to get the facts, hear the evidence against Ms. Bowen, and not give in to her. “The evidence concerning Ms. Bowen’s dismissal is overwhelming,” she said. “She should not be entitled to any settlement from EEOC.”
Commissioners also discussed the purchase of public works equipment. After some discussion, they agreed to go out to bid for two motor graders, a bush cutter, and a mower with a bat-wing. Mrs. Smith had said that PWD wanted to bid a double bat-wing mower, but commissioners seemed to think that would have little use here.
They also agreed to advertise for a new ambulance which would be paid for out of funds from the 2012 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).
After the pledge and invocation by Paul Miller of Shiloh Baptist Church, the commissioners recognized a number of 4-H’ers who excelled at District Project Achievement recently.
In other action, commissioners:
• Accepted a bid for mulching of greenspace at Turtle Cove so it can be a fire wise community. The cost is covered by a grant. The low bidder was Marc Burrows Grading from Newton County with a bid of $8,900. However the commissioners accepted the bid from Tytek, Inc., of $8,995, because it is a Jasper County business. The third bidder, Mealor Construction, did not make a site visit, and bid $32,749 on the project.
•Approved the February financials.
•Approved the human resources report.
•Agreed to let the FFA Alumni use the county’s rubber tire packer at the tractor pull on April 6.
•Agreed to surplus used 911 equipment and radios and place it for sale on govdeals.com. Any proceeds would go back into the 911 budget.
•Went into closed session to discuss personnel and litigation.
Before the meeting, the commissioners toured the jail and received a detailed report from Sheriff Donnie Pope about improvements needed there.
