Commission O.K.s Time Clocks for All
The Jasper County Commissioners unanimously approved installing time clocks for all county departments when they met on October 23.
The commissioners have discussed the possibility if installing time clocks, debated the pros and cons, and checked prices over the last two months. Tuesday evening they voted to purchase them and put them into use.
The commissioners also approved a “whistleblower” policy to encourage employees to feel comfortable reporting wrongdoings without fear of repercussions. Those two policy decisions generated little discussion at the meeting.
However, another item, that of the Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant (LMIG), positioned the three commissioners who were not re-elected against the two who are facing opposition in the general election. Commissioners had agreed at the last meeting that each of the five commissioners would submit two roads for consideration for the LMIG program, and do some preliminary engineering, then submit their choices to the state.
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At the October 23 meeting, Commissioner Jack Bernard made a motion that the county immediately authorize the chairman to sign the paperwork prioritizing the final leg of Jackson Lake Road between Hwys. 212 and 16 west to be resurfaced, with any remaining funds being used on Bethel Church Road.
Commissioner Mary Patrick, who did not seek re-election, seconded the motion. Commissioner Carl Pennamon, who is seeking his seventh term on the commission, said, “this is totally unfair.” We have spent numerous dollars on Jackson Lake Road, he said. “Let’s submit all 10 roads to the state and let the Department of Transportation approve what it chooses.
Commissioner Charles Hill who is seeking a fifth term asked, “Why did we go out and choose the roads in our district that need the most work, if we weren’t going to submit those roads?”
Commissioner Bernard said in the past we have given DOT the roads to choose from, but not 10 roads.
Commissioner Pennamon asked how did we prioritize before.
County Attorney Jim Alexander said that in the past since he’s been with the county the Board of commissioners has prioritized.
Commissioner Hill said, “I think we should let DOT make the decision.”
Commission Chairman Alan Cox said he agreed that Jackson Lake Road should be finished.
Commissioner Patrick said she has people fussing at her all the time about the portion of Jackson Lake Road that has not been resurfaced.
The first mile of Jackson Lake Road between Hwys. 212 and 16 west was resurfaced in 2011, and the second leg was done in 2012. This would complete that side of Jackson Lake Road.
No resurfacing has been done on Jackson Lake Road between Hwy. 212 west and Hwy. 11 north.
As the commissioners debated, it was evident that many of their constituents feel it is important to complete the heavily traveled road that is two-thirds of the way done, while other people feel that end of the county has gotten enough attention and other areas deserve attention.
Commissioner Hill suggested that Aikenton Road should take priority, saying there is a business there pumping two million dollars a year into Jasper County, referring to Cal-Maine Foods.
Chairman Cox said Jackson Lake Road is the most highly traveled and most dangerous. He suggested submitting Jackson lake Road as top priority, and then other nine after that.
Commissioner Hill questioned, “you’re going to overlook a business pumping $2 million into the county?”
Since much road discussion in recent years has referred to the importance of improving connector roads, such as Jackson Lake Road, Commissioner Pennamon pointed out that Brazey Road, a road in his district that he had put on the list, is a major connector road between Hwys. 16 west and 83 south.
After much discussion, the commissioners voted 4-1, to submit to the state Jackson Lake Road, Aikenton Road and Brazey Road in that order of priority. The county anticipates getting only enough money to pave about one mile of road.
Later the discussion was about the county roads that have been improved through triple-surface-treatment, which is not nearly as smooth as asphalt but typically is much improved over dirt.
Commissioner Bernard said Bear Creek Marina road needs to be re-done. He said Pintail, which is only about 200 yards, also needs re-doing. He said these roads were not done correctly. Commissioner Bernard said look at the roads that were paved by the county in 2008, and look at the roads recently done. Both were done by our own work crews, he said, but there is a qualitative difference.
Commissioner Pennamon said we built the base up on the other roads. He also said triple surface means three layers of rock, starting with #7, then #5, then #89.
Interim County Manager Lorri Smith said we’ve spent $50,000 on roads, that’s all we have. We have to decide what to do. To resurface Pintail alone, with asphalt, would be about $35,000 if done by a contractor.
Commissioner Patrick said we all said Triple Surface Treatment. Commissioner Bernard said the problem is the quality of the work.
Commissioner Bernard inquired about the current ISO ratings, saying in the past the commission has heard presentations on the ISO. He said the ISO ratings are high now, costing homeowners exorbitant rates in homeowners insurance, with areas of the county that have water being rated a “5” and those without water being rated a “9.”
He asked that Melissa Slocumb give a report. Mrs. Slocumb is the 911 and Emergency Management Agency director. Jasper County Fire Chief Jarrett Slocumb is on the agenda for next Monday’s commission meeting to talk about the current ISO ratings and what he sees down the road.
The commissioners discussed the Four County Development Authority and Stanton Springs. (Baxter International, a multi-national pharmaceutical company, has begun work to locate there, and Jasper County will get 10 percent of the tax proceeds.) The commissioners wanted to know when money would begin to come to the county.
Chairman Cox said that the money would begin to be generated when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gives approval to the production facility. The taxes paid by Baxter, which will be split between the four counties will be based on the millage rate for Walton county. Walton and Newton each have paid 37.5 percent of expenses on the investment, and will receive that percentage of return. Morgan County will receive 15 percent, and Jasper 10.
(Jasper County has paid in about $670,000 since the authority was formed. Estimates anticipate the county will get a return of about $3 million during the 10 year abatement period. One local estimate says the anticipated payroll at the local Baxter facility is $100 million in 2020.)
Commissioner Patrick said that she is not trying to cause controversy, but that she wants it settled once and for all whether the county is obligated to the Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority (JCWSA). She said that the JCWSA says it has a resolution, but that it is not in the minutes and not in the newspaper. She said she wants to know when we are going to get it settled. “It’s time we put this to rest,” she said.
Commissioner Alan Cox suggested the county request the documents, and then have a work session.
In other action at the October 23 meeting, commissioners:
•Heard of a drainage problem at the Monticello Industrial Park where the water is flowing from the park into the yards of several residents. It has been ongoing for eight or nine years, they said, and it needs to be corrected.
•Agreed to accept the low bids on a freezer and ice machine for the senior center.
•Agreed to purchase a pressure washer for public works from the sole bidder.
•Reviewed the monthly financials and human resources report.
•Discussed code enforcement and the status of the code enforcement officer and building inspector. Commissioner Patrick said that the commission needs to be informed of any cases that go to Magistrate Court, and the disposition of those cases.
At the end of the meeting, the commissioners voted to go into closed session to discuss personnel and real estate acquisition.
