JONES COUNTY
Deputy commended for his kindness
The second meeting in August for the Jones County Board of Commissioners begin with an inspirational opening by a local pastor, Dr. Greg Thompson.
Chairman Chris Weidner called the Aug. 16 meeting to order, and Thompson led the prayer and pledge. The pastor then spoke to the commissioners beginning by thanking them for increasing the budget for the Jones County Sheriff’s Office and Jones County Emergency Management.
“I’m thanking you on behalf of thousands of residents in Jones County,” he said.
Thompson went on to say that he feels safe that he is in a community that can call 911 when needed.
“I know someone will come. I trust the sheriff’s office and emergency management personnel,” he said.
The pastor told board members they are at a defining moment because of the issues surrounding the county.
“The trajectory you set will impact the community for years to come. Just because someone is yelling at you doesn’t mean you are wrong,” he said. “Leaving well enough alone is not well enough; you know that.
“I feel confident there are men and women in our law enforcement who stand in that gap to protect us.”
Thompson is the pastor of The Gathering that meets at Gray Memorial Chapel.
The positive vibes continued after Weidner asked JCSO Deputy Jimmy Howard to enter the room. Howard is assigned to security at the Government Center and is usually located at the front door during Board meetings.
The chairman proceeded to read a letter of commendation sent to him by a disabled veteran who the deputy assisted in renewing the tag on his car. “I pull a large oxygen bottle with me as I can’t walk without it,” the letter stated.
The veteran said he sat on the bench inside the sliding doors to rest, only to realize he had left the documents he needed in his car. When Howard observed the man was having difficulties, he went to the car and got his documents, but he did not stop there.
The deputy got the tag renewed, helped disabled veteran back his car and even put the new sticker on the car.
“I offer my highest commendation to young Deputy Howard. He made a difficult chore easy for me and I greatly appreciate it,” he said.
At the conclusion of the letter, Howard received a standing ovation from the audience and was presented a token of appreciation from the county. Weidner said he has received more than one call about the kindness of Howard while performing his duties.
“This is what makes Jones County a great place to live,” the chairman stated.
Water budget
Prior to the 6 p.m. meeting, the board held a work session about the Water Department budget. The department is an enterprise fund and is considered separate from other departments funded by the General Fund.
Water Superintendent Brandon Stark presented his budget requests at the Aug. 6 budget work session. County Administrator Jason Rizner recommended the approval of the special requests from Stark. He said the funds were available to complete the projects with $133,380 remaining.
The Water Department budget totaled $3,750,121, and the inclusion of the $344,500 for special projects placed the total at $4,094,621.
P&Z
Zoning Officer Tim Pitrowski brought two zoning items to the commissioners that had been postponed from the Aug. 2 meeting. The question about the items concerned legal access to property where a conditional use was requested to allow a single wide mobile home.
County Attorney Ashley Brodie confirmed the property did have a legal easement to access it and said the access was not a factor.
Commissioner Sam Kitchens made a motion to grant the zoning requests, and the vote to approve was unanimous.
New business
Consultant Mike Clark recommended the acceptance of the low bid for a new roof at the Government Center from Bennett Sheet Metal at a cost of $112,487. Kitchens asked if funds were available for the project, and Rizner said yes. The commissioner made a motion to accept the bid, and it was approved unanimously.
Earl Colvin with Jones County History and Heritage asked for permission to place a marker for the Griswoldville School with four other historic markers on Griswoldville Road. Colvin said part of the building remains but would quickly go away.
Colvin said the organization has a plan for additional markers. He said, so far, they have placed eight markers around the county. He said one is a stone marker for Jacob Hutchings, and the others are plaques.
“We have an ambition to put one in every community,” he said.
Kitchens made the motion to allow the placing of the plaque, which was approved unanimously. The commissioner also expressed appreciation for the work of the History and Heritage group.
Commissioner John Wood brought up issues with water meters and billing at the water department. He said he had been working with Stark and Rizner to get the issues resolved.
Stark said the problem appears to have been the result of a computer glitch.
“We know what happened but not why it happened,” he said. “We are aware of the issues and are not hiding anything. We will get them resolved.”
A copy of the letter sent to Jones County water customers posted on Facebook states that the affected customers were not charged for water usage in May, which resulted in two months of water usage appearing on their June bills.
“I can absolutely assure you that we realize the issues and understand your concerns on this mishap. We are doing everything we can to ensure that this error does not happen again,” the letter states.
Rizner addressed the renewal of a lease for the Garrison Road Convenience Center property. He explained the previous lease holder is now deceased, and the new lease is with the family holding company. The terms of the lease remained the same.
Commissioner Daylon Martin made the motion to proceed with the renewal, and the motion was approved unanimously.
In her role as Human Resources Director, Shannon Wagner questioned when the cost of living and merit increases would be effective for employees. Following a brief discussion, Rizner recommended the COLA increase take place in October and the merit increases six months later, following employee reviews.
Kitchens made the recommendation in the form of a motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Wagner then broached the issue of employee questions about payscale issues. Rizner suggested contracting with the Management Advisory Group that handled the salary study.
The administrator said the price of their services were reasonable considering the work involved.
Kitchens made the motion to enter into a one-year contract with the company, and it was approved unanimously.
The commissioner also suggested the county needs to look at the market standard for salaries every five years to make sure not to get behind.
Rizner agreed that was a good approach.
Elections Superintendent Marion Hatton spoke to the board about job title changes. She said the positions need to be clarified, and she needs to be able to hire an assistant quickly.
“Due to the May primary, I have three open investigations. They are nothing major; we are just stretched too far,” she said.
Hatton said her correct title is Elections Director. She said the superintendent is the election board.
Commissioners agreed to investigate the positions.
Brodie informed commissioners that she received notice after the meeting started that the closing had been scheduled for property adjoining Jakes Woods. She said she had been in negotiations about the property, and the county’s offer had been accepted.
“They are ready to close; I didn’t expect it this quick,” the attorney said.
Kitchens made the motion to proceed with the closing, and it was approved unanimously.
Old business
Rizner presented the first reading of Water Ordinance revisions. He said the change was allow the commissioners to adjust the water rates without having to amend the ordinance.
Kitchens made the motion to approve the first reading, and it was approved unanimously.
The next item was the resolution to adopt new water rates and fees. Rizner said the new rates would take effect Jan. 1, 2023, and would be reviewed in five years.
Commissioner Wendy Vaughn made the motion to adopt the resolution, and the vote to approve was unanimous.
Rizner spoke to the commissioners about using the roll back rate when computing the 2022 tax rate. He said the impact to the digest was minimal, $11,335, and it would not require public hearings. He said the board would adopt the new millage rate at a called meeting Aug. 30.
Wagner asked the commissioners to consider a new employee development policy that deals with certifications. The policy states that certification programs must require 80 hours of classroom study and a test. It cannot be a requirement of the position, and employees are eligible for a second increase in 10 years.
Receiving an acceptable certification translates into a 10 percent raise for the employee.
Commissioners Wood and Martin said they have some ideas they would discuss with Wagner.
Kitchens said it is hard to find certifications that would be over and above job requirements.
“We can elevate staff to have people who want to make their departments better. I’m glad we are looking at these incentives to help our employees to be better,” he said.
The meeting was adjourned to go into closed session. The next regular meeting of the board is scheduled Sept. 6.
