County Looks at Budget

The Jasper County Commissioners Monday got their first look at the preliminary budget figures for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, beginning July 1.

Chief Appraiser Lynn Bentley was on hand at the work session before the meeting to answer any questions on the digest, and Chief Financial Officer Lorri Smith reviewed revenues, and said the requests from department heads were some $1.5 million more than revenues. She said that she and County Manager Greg Wood would go back to the department heads and elected officials and ask them each to cut their budget requests by 8-10 percent.

In addition, she outlined ways to make the budget shortfall less, such as maintaining furlough days, delaying capital expenditures, increasing to the rollback rate and a debt service buyback option.

The information was presented as an overview, and the commission will have its first work session on the budget before the regular meeting on May 7, by which time department heads will have had time to cut their budgets.

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The preliminary 2012 digest, not taking into account inflationary growth, is $319.55 million which is more than $30 million less than last year’s digest. The reduction in property values are to blame for the lower values. Ms. Bentley said that overall there was an eight percent decline in values, which is better than last year’s 11 percent decline, and that was better than 2010’s 14 percent decline.

In addition, a look at homestead exemption numbers reveals nearly 200 less people claiming that exemption, suggesting that many homes have been lost to foreclosure.

Regular Meeting

(see photo at top)

During the citizen’s comments at the beginning of the regular meeting, commissioners heard from several residents of the Rollingwood Cove/Alcovy Shores area of the county. Carolyn McCurdy had a folder with her, saying she had been coming to the Board of Commissioners since 1999, and had documented what people told her, what had happened and likewise. She asked for more help. She said that the commissioners, the magistrate, and the sheriff must communicate and work together with code enforcement to help solve their issues.

The commissioners, since the residents of those neighborhoods approached them earlier this year have instructed the county manager to step up code enforcement. The sheriff has also been more responsive, but the residents are still frustrated that more is not happening.

Juanita Gazaway invited all the commissioners to a neighborhood meeting this Saturday, April 21, at noon at 395 Blue Heron Drive. It is off Hwy. 212 near the Alcovy Shores water tower.

Julia Haar, also from the lake area, said that at the last meeting they presented an issue at 176 Jackson Street, where there are some 100 tires in the yard, posing a health hazard and being an eyesore. Nothing has been done yet, she said. No complaint has been filed in magistrate court by code enforcement, she said.

When discussed later in the meeting, it was determined that the violation had been cited, but the out-of-county owner had not picked up the certified mail sent to him, so he was going to have to be served by the sheriff’s department, and that takes time. Once the paperwork is complete, it goes through the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office to the county of residence of the alleged violator who has to be found to be served.

Ronnie Jones, also from Alcovy Shores, also complained about 176 Jackson Street, and asked what had to be done to take care of the problem. He said he had called code enforcement and left a message some time ago, and that Code Enforcement Officer Sherry Braley had not yet returned his call. “What can be done as quickly as possible?” he asked.

Deer Capital

Adam McGinnis of Deer Capital thanked the commissioners for their support. He said that Jasper County was declared Deer Capital of Georgia in 1966, and his group is working to retain that standing, and capitalize on it. He said that the Department of Transportation had approved signs at the entry ways to Jasper County that say Deer Capital of Georgia. They will be placed beneath the sign that says Jasper County.

Public Works Department (PWD) Director Will Brown said he had ordered the signs to be installed. DOT officials will have to install the signs as they are on state rights of way. There will also be signs placed on Henderson Mill Road, Rock Eagle Road, Hwy. 142 and Fullerton Phillips Road, upon entering the county.

Mr. McGinnis gave the county a check from Deer Capital to cover the cost of installing the signs. Commissioner Mary Patrick said it was her understanding there would be no cost to the county. Mr. McGinnis said that if there was not, they could tear up the check, but he wanted to be sure that the county did not incur cost.

The Deer Capital organization continues to work for everyone in the county to understand the value of being the Deer Capital, and work to manage land for trophy deer. That management will bring hunters and wildlife enthusiasts to the county, which in turn has them spend money here, which is multiplied within the community.

Through the Georgia Forestry Commission, landowners can purchase Round-up Ready Corn for wildlife at a reduced price as long as it is being purchased for wildlife.

Recognition

Commissioners spent considerable time discussing the recognition of county employees who have served for several years. Commissioners voted in February for Human Resources to come up with a list of employees who had worked 10, 15, 20, and 25 years for the county so they could be recognized.

In creating the spreadsheet, Human Resources Director Sharon Robinson and CFO Mrs. Smith realized a large number of employees had been with the county five years. They suggested that the county also recognize those employees.

Commissioner Charles Hill said he didn’t have a problem with recognizing them, but he wanted to be informed. He said he knew nothing about the five year employee recognition until he picked up his packet for the board meeting.

Commissioner Patrick said the board voted for the 10-25 year recognition, and the five year recognition should never have been brought up.

Commissioner Carl Pennamon said if it will help with employee morale, why not do it. He said if staff recommends they recognize the five years of service, too, and thinks it will help morale, we should listen to staff.

Commissioner Jack Bernard recommended tabling any action if all commissioners weren’t comfortable with it. Much discussion took place before a motion was made, prompting Mr. Bernard’s suggestion. Chairman Alan Cox asked for a motion one way or the other.

Commissioner Pennamon said it is a way of saying thank you to those dedicated employees who continue to work here in spite of not getting a raise for years.

Commissioner Bernard agreed that employee morale is low, and it is a simple ting to do.

Commissioner Hill reiterated that he is not against it, just they should have been informed in advance.

Mr. Bernard made a motion to table, seconded by Mrs. Patrick. In discussion, Commissioner Pennamon said that they all said they aren’t against it so why not go ahead and do it. Mr. Bernard withdrew his motion and the commissioners voted unanimously to recognize all 98 employees suggested by staff.

Other Action

In other action at Monday’s meeting, commissioners:

•Learned the outcome of the Deerfield Farm survey which showed everyone responding wants the road paved. Then there was much discussion about survey work and straightening curves, and debate on how the available money is best spent. Any action on that project was tabled until the next meeting.

•Learned that state Rep. Susan Holmes had succeeded in getting DOT to agree to fund resurfacing of Marben Farms Road from the county line to the entrance of Charlie Elliott. The estimated state funding is $165,255. Commissioners voted unanimously for the chairman to sign the right-of-way over to the state.

•Discussed pest control bids extensively before deciding to go with the low bid. The low bid was $211 monthly, and the next lowest was $549 monthly. Staff said they had checked the references for the low bidder, and Newton County had no complaints. Commissioner Patrick said they should talk to the recreation director. Mrs. Smith said they talked to the facilities manager who oversees recreation, and he had no problem with them. Commissioners voted 4-1 to accept the low bidder as long as the county can get out of the contract with 30 days notice if needed.

•Commissioners also discussed the audit bids at length. The current audit firm, Clifton, Lipford, Hardison, & Parker, LLC was the low bidder for the three year bid that was proposed. Commissioner Patrick questioned binding the next commission to the use of a firm. Mrs. Smith explained that with audits the start up fees are high, so you get better bids if you give three or five year contracts. Commissioner Patrick said she thought a new set of eyes would be good. The next lowest bid was only $300 more, and the next lowest was only slightly higher. After discussion, the board voted to take the low bid.

•Voted unanimously to reappoint Larry Smith to the Board of Tax Assessors.

•Accepted the low bid for erosion control at the recreation department to be paid for from Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds.

•Voted to sign the Memorandum of Understanding for the Extension Service. Commissioner Patrick said she wanted to see the whole budget for the department, so she could see what the University of Georgia pays compared to what the county pays. There was then discussion on what the county pays for, and the fact that Extension Director Kasey Reid is funded through a foundation.

•Signed a technical service agreement with Physio Control to service and maintain batteries in the defibrillators used by the Emergency Medical Service.

•Agreed to sign a resolution supporting a Georgia Equity Fund grant that Covington is applying for to construct a new airport terminal building near Hwy. 142. Commissioner Patrick abstained from the vote saying she did not like to get involved in other people’s business.

•Discussed the pay of the Animal Control Director, when the Animal Control Committee will meet (April 26), when the office is open, and how the department can afford two part time people. Commissioner Patrick pointed out the director makes double what an EMT makes.

•Discussed the need for an educational campaign on the Transportation SPLOST vote that will be on the ballot in July. Cheryl Nowetner, former co-chair of the Taxpayer Watchdog group, wife of county commission candidate Skip Nowetner, and activist with the Jasper Coutny Tea Party, said they have a town hall style meeting planned on Thursday, June 14, with Jim Cole, who is on the DOT board to discuss T-SPLOST.

Commissioner Bernard wanted Jim Dove with Northest Georgia Regional Development Commission to come to that meeting or another meeting, saying the voters know nothing about it. Commissioner Hill, who has attended two recent meetings on SPLOST, said the Chamber of Commerce is going to handle the education campaign locally.