JONES COUNTY
Jones County Commissioners were underwater for much of their two meetings last Tuesday while considering how to meet the need of constituents with available funds.
Board Chairman Chris Weidner called the March 7 work session to order that was scheduled to discuss water and sewer issues. Consulting engineer Tim Ingram presented an overview of remaining water projects in Districts 2 and 4 that could be funded with this year’s Community Development Block Grant.
The engineer explained that the projects in District 4 were primarily for sewer service, and the District 2 projects were to bring water service to homes that are currently served by wells.
Those projects were not included in the $20 million in water and sewer projects for other areas in the county that are currently in the bidding process.
Ingram said the District 2 projects could include 68-70 residences on Wheeler Road, Highway 11 and Hungerford Road, or another option was running water to residences on Morris Road.
He said at issue was not only the cost of running the lines but the need for a pump station that has a cost of $1.5 million and a 200,000-gallon storage tank that would add an additional $1.3 million.
Ingram said the cost of running the lines would be more than $1 million, which is the amount of the grant.
“Regardless of the project, the county is going to have to put in money,” he said.
Greg Boike with the Middle Georgia Regional Commission said the grant is competitive, and the number of people served and cost per person makes a big difference in it being funded.
Commissioner John Wood, who represents District 2, said the pump station and water storage tank would benefit existing water customers. He suggested the county apply for the $1 million grant using matching funds from the county of $250,000-$500,000.
Wood said the county could serve the people possible with that amount and then reapply as many times as it took to complete the project. He pointed out that one of the major concerns about the lack of water in the area was safety because there are no fire hydrants.
Boike said an application serving only a few residents would not be competitive.
Commissioner Daylon Martin, who represents District 4, said he believes getting water to residents is more important than sewer. He said he supported the projects for District 2.
The discussion about the how to structure the project continued among the commissioners, and at its conclusion, County Administrator Jazon Rizner asked for direction for the CDBG application. The application for the grant has a deadline of June 1.
Weidner opened the floor for citizen comments, and Brenda Middlebrooks, Rebecca Smith, Pastor Wilbur Greene and James Bland spoke about the need for water in Bradley.
Business meeting
Weidner called the meeting to order with all board members in attendance, and Boike spoke to the board about the grant application. He suggested the June 1 deadline may not allow time for the citizen surveys required for the application.
Because of the estimated cost of the project, Wood made a motion to apply for the grant and use the Jones County Public Facilities Authority as a funding source for costs not covered by grant funds. The anticipated amount needed to be financed is $2.9 million.
Wood’s motion was approved unanimously.
Boike said they would start the process as soon as possible but suggested if the deadline could not be met this year, the county could apply in 2024.
General fund money cannot be used to pay for water department expenses. By law, the water department account is a separate enterprise fund that does not include funds from taxes.
Emergency Management Director and Jones County Fire Chief Don Graham asked approval of a mutual aid agreement with the Putnam County Fire Department.
Commissioner Wendy Vaughn made the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Parks and Recreation Director Bert Rosenberger asked for an additional maintenance worker in his department. He said the addition of Jakes Woods, the new bike track and expansion of Liberty Park has made it necessary.
Martin made the motion for the additional position for the department, and the motion was approved unanimously.
Commissioner Sam Kitchens made the motion for the county to enter into partnership agreements with War Days and Veterans Appreciation Day to resolve any issues with the use of the county’s golf carts at the events. The motion was approved unanimously.
Other approved agenda items:
• Conditionalusetoallow a second dwelling on 296 Wheeler Road
• TimothyAndrews appointed to the Jones County Board of Tax Assessors
• Opioidsettlement received by Jones County based on population and received in increments
• W.E.KnoxCenter approved as a backup court location for Jones County Superior Court
• FY22budgetamendment approved as required by audit process
• Courthouseannexto be painted to match the historic part of the building with financial assistance by the Gray Downtown Development Authority
• Aprilproclaimed Financial Literacy Month
