JONES COUNTY
Jones County Commissioners agreed to move forward with grant applications, rights of way acquisitions and approved a new capital reserve use policy for the county.
The Oct. 18 meeting was called to order by Board Chairman Chris Weidner, and the opening prayer and pledge were led by EMA Director and Jones County Fire Chief Don Graham.
All commissioners were in attendance, with the exception of Commissioner Daylon Martin, who joined via phone.
The 6 p.m. board meeting was preceded by a work session called for the purpose of finding additional space for the elections office. Commissioners discussed possibilities of use of the space in the Government Center, EMA office, probation trailer and W.E. Knox Civic Center.
County Administrator Jason Rizner also brought up the possibility of moving 4H to space in the Maggie Califf Complex and utilizing that space for election equipment storage.
The discussion also included the expansion of the Jones County Courthouse. At the conclusion of the discussion, board members agreed to pursue the possibility of working with the Board of Education and using the Maggie Califf Complex.
Commissioners heard from two residents of Stone Gables Court at the beginning of the 6 p.m. meeting requesting assistance with drainage issues. After listening to the problem with standing water, Weidner asked John Lowe to visit the site and determine if the county could help.
New Business
Greg Boike with the Middle Georgia Regional Commission brought the next two agenda items to the board. The first was about administration of Community Housing Improvement Grant by MGRC at a cost of $12,000. Boike said the grant is due Jan. 31, 2023. Martin made the motion move forward with the grant application, and it was approved unanimously.
The next item was the Community Development Block Grant that Boike stated was a long process that needed to get started. Board members agreed to pursue the CDBG application for water in the Bradley area and sewer for South Jones County. Commissioner John Wood made the motion to pursue the grant, and it was unanimously approved.
Weidner informed board members that he had spoken with the Macon Water Authority about sewer rates in Jones County, and it was agreed to set up a meeting with MWA to discuss sewer collection rates and collecting accounts in the Sun Valley area.
The motion to proceed was made by Commissioner Wendy Vaughn, and it was approved unanimously.
Old Business
Rizner talked to Commissioners about the Capital Reserve Use Policy. The Capital Reserve fund was created with the adoption of the 2023 budget to set aside a portion of county funds to be used for large capital projects.
The reserve fund was set at the amount exceeding a fourmonth reserve. Parameters for its use include project costs for design, engineering and professional services, operating costs for the project and that the project must be over $50,000.
Vaughn made the motion to approve the Capital Reserve Fund policy, and the vote to approve was unanimous.
Rights of way acquisitions for McKay Road and Luke Smith Road were next on the agenda. Rizner explained the proposal from THC for services, which was a flat fee of $5,650 per parcel. Following a discussion about ownership of the properties, Commissioner Sam Kitchens made the motion to approve the acquisitions, using reserve funds, and the vote to approve was unanimous.
The administrator presented the board with changes to the certification policy for employees. The policy states that to be eligible for the 10 percent salary increase, the certification must require 80 hours of classroom study and must be over and above the minimum requirements for the position held.
Kitchens made the motion to approve the changes to the policy and it was approved unanimously.
This article was compiled utilizing draft minutes and the documents of the meeting.
The Board of Commissioners were scheduled to meet again Nov. 1.
