JONES COUNTY
Jones County commissioners came to an agreement with Gray’s City Council for a tax distribution rate and worked toward a new water rate schedule at their first August meeting.
The Aug. 1 meeting was called to order by Board of Commissioners Chairman Chris Weidner, and Planning and Zoning was the first item on the agenda.
The request was in two parts – a variance and a conditional use for a property on Five Points Road. Following questions about an access road to the property, however, the request was postponed for more information.
The first New Business item was the Local Option Sales Tax rate that required an agreement with city council. Gray Mayor Pro Tem James Collins attended the meeting to represent the city. Collins said council members voted unanimously at their meeting the previous evening to accept the 19.5 percent for the city, which matches the current rate distribution for the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax shared by the entities.
Commissioner Sam Kitchens made the motion to enter into the agreement for the 19.5 percent distribution for the LOST over the next 10 years.
Commissioner Daylon Martin spoke in opposition to the rate, which is a 0.5 percent increase for the city in comparison with the current division. Martin said his opposition was because of the huge project facing the commissioners in the repair of the historic Jones County Courthouse.
“There will be no participation from the city for that,” he said.
Weidner called for the vote, and the 19.5 percent distribution was approved with a vote of 4-1. Martin opposed.
The first item of Old Business was a discussion of county water rates and fees led by Robert Sills with Nelsnick Enterprises. Sills made a previous presentation about a study of the city’s water rates during a June 7 work session. During that meeting, he was asked to come back with another option that would have a larger rate hike at the beginning of the schedule to get collections on track sooner.
Kitchens said he knows an increase is needed.
“If we can stabilize now, there will be a better rate for customers in the long run,” he said.
The commissioner said the increase is needed to help pay for expansion. He said the plan was to go out three years and re-evaluate.
“We need to remember, we haven’t raised rates in six years, but that may not be a good thing,” Kitchens said.
Martin said he did not agree that the current water customers should have to pay for the expansion for future customers.
“I advocate for a flat fee to be added to all parcels to be used for water expansion and fire service,” he said.
The commissioner’s suggestion was $25 a year per parcel that would be added to property taxes.
“You could get the funds you need that you can’t get from 4,400 water customers,” he said. “I think everyone should participate.”
Martin said he had previously advocated for a flat fee for the fire department.
“It makes sense for everyone to participate for fire protection,” he said.
Kitchens said he understands the idea, but it would be a hard sell for areas that may never get water for fire suppression. He said the struggle is the areas with sparse populations.
Martin argued that the county will have to bite the bullet at some point. He said he was trying to find a way where 4,400 people do not pay for water for the entire county.
“We might need to take a look at both a rate increase and the flat fee,” he said.
Weidner asked if the flat fee would be something that should be put on a ballot and left to the voters to decide.
Martin countered that existing water customers are being asked to pay for expansion when they already have water and do not need expansion.
Kitchens said that has always been the system for the water department, and Weidner said he looks at it as a business model.
Commissioner John Wood said some places in the county will not have water in 100 years.
Engineer Tim Ingram said Baldwin County paid for its water expansion with revenue from three SPLOSTs. He said most county’s fire tax amounts are $60, and the tax lasts about five years.
“As soon as new commissioners are elected, the tax is removed,” Ingram said.
Commissioner Wendy Vaughn said she likes the idea of the flat tax but not the timing. She said the cost of living has gone up for everyone.
“Now we have to raise our water rates. I do see the need for fire protection, but that’s a separate thing,” she said.
Kitchens said the proposed water expansion was designed to fit the money. He said the water expansion also expands fire protection service.
“I like the chairman’s idea of putting the flat tax on the ballot,” he said.
County Administrator Jason Rizner said what was before the board now was an amendment to the county’s water and sewer ordinance and the first reading of a resolution to adopt the new water rates.
Kitchens brought up the option of working with the city on its water rate. He pointed out the city is the county’s biggest water customer. His idea was giving the city a lesser rate for water in exchange for a guaranteed amount purchased.
Rizner said the idea makes sense for both the city and county to have that certainty.
The administrator said the way the resolution is drafted, the new rates would not go into effect until the first of the year, leaving plenty of time for discussions.
Kitchens said he prefers the rate increase schedule go out five years instead of three before being reviewed.
The water and sewer amendment gives the county more flexibility with rates, without having to change the ordinance each time.
The vote for both the amendment and resolution were postponed.
Comments
Collins said he sees the discussion about the city’s water rate as an opportunity for the city and county to work together. He invited the commissioner to attend the city’s all committees meeting to present a plan.
Margaret Thornton, a resident of Union Hill Church Road, stated that her road is not maintained by the county. She said grass is overgrown, and there are huge bumps in the road that are made worse when it rains. Thornton added that the bridge is not usable.
The complainant said she has repeatedly asked for help, and nothing has been done.
Wood said he and Rizner had recently walked the area and could verify that Thornton’s statements were correct.
Weidner said he would personally make sure her complaints were addressed.
Vaughn thanked water department employees for work they had to do repairing water main breaks over the weekend. She said she is driving school buses and sees the problems with the roads.
“Just remember when the big yellow buses are rolling, we need to keep our kids safe,” she said.
Martin said there is an issue with grass cutting along Dusty Lane. He said the sidewalks need to be cut so it is safe for kids to walk to school.
The commissioner asked if the county app to report problems is working.
Rizner said the app is working. He added that when a complaint if entered, a number is generated. That complaint number is needed to check the status of that complaint.
Martin suggested that the commissioners receive a regular report of the complaints and their status.
