Commissioners Discuss Terms, Policies, Phones

The Jasper County Commissioners voted at their regular meeting Monday not to change to staggered terms.

The commissioners had tossed the possibility about for a number of years, and it was on the agenda for Monday’s meeting.

“I see no reason to do this to match the Board of Education,” said Commissioner Alan Cox. “We already caved on the map.

Commissioner Carl Pennamon questioned Commissioner Cox, “You’re against staggered terms?”

Mr. Cox replied that he sees no need for staggered terms. Mr. Pennamon said it would be a way to assure that the whole body is not replaced at one time, which could be counter-productive.

Commissioner Mary Patrick said the people might like to see the whole board replaced. Mr. Cox said that it was being done for the convenience of the Board of Education.

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Commissioner Pennamon said, “This was discussed before the map situation.”

Commissioner Pennamon made a motion to ask the state legislators to pass legislation for staggered terms, however upon discussion he said it would not take effect until 2016 when Commissioners for districts 1, 3, and 5 would seek four year terms and two and four would seek two year terms. After the initial two year term, those terms would also be four year.

Commissioner Cox said we’re looking to 2016 to cover a problem we don’t have.

The vote was taken and the motion failed, with Commissioner Jack Bernard abstaining and Commissioners Charles Hill, Cox and Patrick voting against.

Commissioners spent considerable time discussing the county hiring policy/pay scale, and included discussion of the personnel policy somewhat.

County Manager Greg Wood told commissioners they had voted to develop job descriptions and implement a pay schedule for each position in 2007, but had never done so because the funding was not available.

County Attorney Jim Alexander said that if they had a policy they should follow it or eliminate it.

Commissioner Patrick asked how would it be implemented; “you want to raise taxes?” She made a motion to “unadopt the policy.”

Commissioner Bernard said he didn’t want to “unadopt” anything without looking at it. He said the point of the pay schedule at the time was to develop job descriptions, salary levels, evaluations, etc. He said it was not just about pay. He said the intention was to stop across the board raises and implement merit raises.

Commissioner Cox asked where is the money going to come from.

Commissioner Pennamon said if this board does not fund increases, it doesn’t really matter what the policy says. He went on to say the policy may need to be amended.

Commissioner Patrick said isn’t it true if it’s not funded it is defunct? The county attorney said she was right.

Commissioner Pennamon said this discussion came about because the Emergency Medical Service director was bringing in new EMTs at a higher rate than those who had established themselves.

Mr. Wood said staff needs direction.

Commissioner Cox said set up the hiring policy for a work session at the first available slot. Commissioner Patrick questioned should the personnel policy be discussed at the same time.

Mr. Wood said he had the revisions to the personnel policy ready in pencil, but they need to be typed. The indication was the personnel policy would be discussed at a different time.

Commissioner Cox said he had put the cell phone policy on the agenda. He said he had staff look into a cell phone plan for commissioners, but he said Verizon does not work at his house.

Verizon works best for most Jasperites. So, he suggested commissioners receive a $50/month supplement for their phones.

Commissioner Pennamon said that would cost the county and, “we don’t need to put a burden on the taxpayers.”

Commissioner Patrick said constitutional officers are not reimbursed for their cell phones, as indicated on the agenda. She said the commissioners will get a cost of living raise, unlike county employees, and besides, they knew the cost when they got elected.

Commissioner Cox said he would withdraw anything he had said about reimbursement for phone bills, but wanted to include stopping supplements for any constitutional officer, whatever it’s for. That would be effective January 1, 2013.

The commissioners passed an ethics policy that was drafted in 2008, but has never been put in effect. Each commissioner will name two people at the January 16, 2012 meeting to be on the board.

Commissioner Patrick said we need to discuss the policy before we appoint people to the board. Commissioner Bernard said the policy was approved unanimously in 2008, and there is no need for delay.

Commissioner Patrick said it was copied from the Habersham County policy, and refers to specific pages in the personnel policy which may not be accurate. Also, she said, it has no teeth so it is “more for show than anything.”

Commissioner Pennamon said that perhaps the ACCG policy should be amended before appointing someone to have on board. We need an understanding of what it says.

Chairman Hill said, “we need to take a look at both of them.”

Commissioner Bernard said we have a policy; we need to follow it; we can amend it, but to delay appointments to the board is unethical itself.

Commissioner Patrick reiterated she thought it was silly to appoint members when the policy needs revision.

Commissioner Bernard said he has no problem with modifying it, but we need to act. It’s not sacred. “If we keep delaying, we’ll never get anything done.

Commissioner Patrick asked, “What are we trying to get done?”

Commissioner Bernard said he agrees on a merger of policies.

Commissioners finally voted to approve naming people to the board. The vote was 4-1 with Commissioner Patrick dissenting.

Commissioners heard from Public Works Director Will Brown on the LMIG contract from the state that will pave approximately another mile of Jackson Lake Road. Mr. Brown said the contract clearly says the state does not fund traffic control or erosion control.

Commissioner Cox said we can direct traffic, can’t we?

Mr. Brown said they would have to have all barrels, sign-age, etc. as required by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to do it in house. He said they could have to produce new signs.

Commissioner Cox asked about erosion control…that’s mostly silt fences, right?

Mr. Brown confirmed that. But, he said, it may be cheaper to contract out those services than do them in house. He said the cost of each will be itemized on the bids, then the county can make a decision.

In other action at Monday’s meeting, commissioners:

•Approved a contract for nearly $5,000 to come from contingency for new methane monitoring wells at the old sanitary landfill.

•Asked staff to negotiate the cost of the audit with Mark Hardison, saying the price is too high.

•Agreed to sign a nondiscrimination policy to be in compliance with the DOT.

•Adopted a protocol for Paypal. Using Paypal, people can make donations to Animal Control, pay recreation fees, and there could possibly be other uses.

At the end of the session, the floor was opened for citizen comments.

Cheryl Nowetner asked how many times is animal control going to call her and inquire about the dog she adopted. She said all her animals are spayed and neutered and their shots are up to date. She said the animal control officer has called her five times checking on the dog.

Charles Forsythe addressed the commissioners saying they are stewards of the county tax dollars, and it is their fiduciary responsibility to spend it wisely. He suggested a citizen’s panel review health insurance options, saying it is not appropriate for the commissioners to vote on the insurance they are then allowed to take advantage of.

Skip Nowetner thanked the commissioners for an interesting, fun-filled morning.

Work Session

The Jasper County Commissioners heard from the actuary for the county’s retirement plan during a one-hour work session before Monday’s regular meeting.

The presentation was requested because the county statement is showing a surplus in that account. Steve Vaughn with GebCorp. explained to the commissioners they could skip a payment or make a lesser payment but that it would be like borrowing from the account, and would eventually have to be repaid, most likely.

He told how the balances are derived, with the managers assuming certain things, such as raises for personnel, and taking turnover into account. Since there have been no raises and very little turnover, the prospectus could be revised at some point. But, he stressed, everything in the statement is derived by formulas taking into account long-term changes in the economy.

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Before the meeting began, Commissioner Bernard commented on how nice Commissioner Hill looked in his suit. Mr. Bernard said he used to wear a suit when he was a banker, but doesn’t have to anymore. Commissioners are generally dressed in what would be considered “business casual” attire.