Commission Approves Equipment Purchase

Chairman Charles Hill was absent from Monday evening’s Jasper County Commission meeting, and for some reason the other four found unity, voting unanimously on virtually every question.

The meeting was not without strife, though, as there was bickering between District 3 Commissioner Jack Bernard and District 4 Commissioner Mary Patrick, as Mr. Bernard lambasted the work of a county employee in open meeting, and Commissioner Patrick suggested such issues should be discussed in executive session, if at all.

Throughout this term, commissioners have been working towards a form of government where the commissioners make policy, and the staff oversees the day to day operations, including personnel decisions.

Commissioner Patrick has expressed concern that the blame for problems fall on commissioners shoulders, but they have little say so in how things are run. Commissioner Bernard prefers to have staff handle as much as possible. However, it was not the first time he has complained in open meeting about a particular employee’s job performance.
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As the two disagreed vehemently with what the other was saying, District 1 Commissioner Carl Pennamon called them back to the issue at hand and away from the personnel discussion, suggesting they could argue later on the phone or via e-mail, but to get back tot he subject at hand.

Other than that, the meeting ran smoothly, with vice-chairman Alan Cox ably running the meeting.

Commissioners learned that surplus equipment had been sold at auction for $102,500, and that the county would net about $92,000 after expenses. Originally, the county was offered $64,000 in trade-in for the same equipment, so commissioners were pleased with the additional revenue. They unanimously approved the purchase of a backhoe and bulldozer with the proceeds from the sale.

In addition, they will seek to buy a broom attachment for a piece of equipment. It is anticipated to cost $10,000, but commissioners only approved $8,000. It will be put out to bid.

Commissioners also learned that the city of Monticello had agreed to 19 percent of a six-ear Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) that will presumably be put to the voters this November. The city listed its proposed projects totaling $950,000. Commissioners agreed to work on their SPLOST projects for the July meeting.

There was some discussion about what percentage Shady Dale would get of the SPLOST proceeds, with Commissioner Bernard saying that it should go strictly by population, and that Shady Dale did not have to participate in the intergovernmental agreement, only the majority municipality had to participate. The other commissioner said they wanted to include Shady Dale. (By statute, Shady Dale is entitled to a portion of the proceeds equal to its percentage of population.)

Commissioners Patrick and Pennamon were adamant that Shady Dale should get three percent, as it requested, even if its population is not that much. Population figures were not readily available Monday evening. Commissioner Bernard was adamant that Shady Dale get no more than its population percentage. That decision will presumably be made at the July 5 meeting, and an intergovernmental agreement drawn up for the July 18 meeting.

(Census numbers show that there are 10,994 people in unincorporated Jasper County for 79 percent of the population; 2,657 in Monticello, making up 19 percent of the population, and 249, or two percent, in Shady Dale.)

Shady Dale has requested three percent of the proceeds of the SPLOST.

Commissioners heard a presentation from Mike Cavendar with the Recreation Commission. Mr. Cavender told commissioners that they had named a great group of people to wok with recreation and that as a group they are working together, and are energetic and moving forward. He said the recreation department had become aligned with the Little League organization, moving away from Dixie League. He said that way if our 12-year-old team was successful, they could one day play on television.

He said the group met recently and discussed the five-year plan, and they were trying to determine direction, how to move forward. There are several shortfalls, he said, especially maintenance issues. He said many individuals have volunteered and have worked to maintain and improve the facility, but that more is needed. He said that there is not enough power at the park, making it an issue to run lights, scoreboard, and the concession stand all at once. He said there is a drainage program on the road to the recreation department. He talked about the condition of the batting cages, the stands and the bathrooms.

He said that many improvements have been made. There is a well-managed equipment shed where the departments equipment is stored safely out of the elements. He talked about improvements made to the dugouts, the sprinkler system, and more, but said the board needs direction. He also said there is not enough room to have soccer and football at the same time.

Commissioner Bernard said for the reaction people to get with the county manager and construct a scenario and what can be done with SPLOST funds, Impact Fees and any other available monies. They suggested the road could be improved with SPLOST funds designated for recreation.

Commissioner Patrick said that she felt that the county does have some obligation for facility upkeep and maintenance. She also said the bathrooms are terrible.

Mr. Cavendar said the dues are for uniforms, officials, and things associated directly with play. He doesn’t feel fees should pay for light bulbs and such.

Mr. Cavender suggested that during budgeting next year, the commissioners need to take a more serious look at needs during the budgeting process.

The commissioners reviewed the May financial report showing that all the courts are over-budget. There was much discussion about how the problem could be handled. County Attorney Jim Alexander advised the commissioners they cannot withhold payment that would interfere with court personnel or court activity. Commissioner Patrick asked what recourse the county has since they continue to go overbudget.

Commissioner Bernard made a motion to send them a letter to say they are overbudget and the county will not fund any more expenses. They deferred the motion until after executive session, which was not held, so no action was taken. The staff already tells each department where it stands on its budget each month.

The commissioners discussed the current SPLOST project, and expressed concern that they are overpaying the cities fo Monticello and Shayd Dale. They agreed for the attorney to look at the resolution and see how it reads to determine how much the county shares the proceeds.

Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Melissa Slocumb was recognized for attaining the rank of Georgia Master Certified Emergency Manager (see related story).

The commissioners agreed to send a brush truck and volunteer firefighters to help the Georgia Forestry Commission fight the fires at the Okefenokee Swamp. The county will be reimbursed well for the use of the truck, the county manager explained, and the volunteers will be paid an hourly wage. The assistance will not cost the county anything and could actually net it a little profit.

Commissioners discussed what roads to put on the LMIG (state) project list for next year. They had voted last year to put reclamation of Jackson Lake Road as well as Marben Farms Road on the list. They agreed to add Brazey, Middlebrook Pond, Goolsby, Liberty Church and Rock Eagle roads to the list. The state will determine which projects to fund.

Commissioners also agreed for the county manger to come up with a policy and fee schedule for the use of county facilities. Apparently the Tea party rally at the recreation department Saturday caused some consternation. Greg Wood said a policy would make it clear to all what is expected.

Mr. Wood explained what is anticipated with the reduced hours at the Jasper County Landfill which was budgeted for. He said to start with, the landfill will be open Thursday and Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Also, commercial customers can make an appointment to use the C&D landfill on other days, if needed. Meanwhile, workers will begin moving the fiber pile from where it is to be used as cover, per a consent order with the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Department of Natural Resources.

In other action at Monday’s meeting, commissioners:

•Voted unanimously to write a letter of endorsement for the county to pursue the “Work Ready” designation.

•Voted unanimously to approve a Special Exception for Sabbatical Lake, on Andrews Lane in Monticello on property owned by Harold and Chaundra Sykes.

•Voted unanimously to advertise a vacancy on the Department of Family and Children Services Board for two weeks, and name someone to the board at the July 18 meeting.