Jones County Board of Commissioners said farewell and job well done to the county’s Emergency Management Director and Fire Chief at last week’s board meeting.
Don Graham has served in the dual positions since 2009 but has been in the life-saving business as a paramedic for 46 years. He announced his retirement from Jones County at the first of this year, and his official retirement date will be July 1.
Graham’s last day in his office was June 14.
Commissioners recognized him at the June 18 meeting with a plaque and personal words of thanks from Board Chairman Chris Weidner.
Weidner called the meeting to order, and Graham led the opening prayer and pledge. All commissioners were in attendance with the exception of Commissioner Wendy Vaughn.
Alan Woodrum was on the agenda as a visitor and asked questions about why Jones County doesn’t give an exemption for school tax. He said he went to the tax assessors office as directed but received little information.
“When a person turns 65, how do they know what benefits you get? A lot of people don’t know the questions to ask,” he said.
County Administrator Jason Rizner said he reached out to the ACCG and found out a homestead exemption was passed in 2002 for a $15,000 exemption for anyone over 62.
Rizner went on to explain the procedures to pass an exemption, which has to be approved by the board it affects and sent to the state legislature to become law.
The administrator apologized for not having more information.
Woodrum said that was more information than he had received. The speaker also said he would keep asking questions.
New Business
The first item of New Business was brought to the commissioner’s by Kevin Stroberg with the Ocmulgee Circuit Public Defenders Office representing Public Defender John Bradley. Stroberg heads the Gray Public Defender’s office.
Stroberg said the cost to Jones County totaled $116,916, which was $13,000 less than last year due to Census numbers. He said the total included $108,266 for the representation of indigent defendants in superior and juvenile court and $8,650 for indigent representation in probate court.
Commissioner Daylon Martin made the motion to approve the contract with the public defenders’ office, and the vote to approve was unanimous.
Ocmulgee Circuit District Attorney Wright Barksdale presented the 2025 budget for the Jones County District Attorney’s office. He said for the past two years he had asked for the same budget amount.
Barksdale said he was asking for the same this year with the exception of two items. He requested a $10,000 salary increase for the state-paid, county- reimbursed, assistant district attorney and an increase for the salary of a county-paid attorney.
He also requested the Jones County administrative assistant position in his office receive the same increases as other county employees.
The DA reminded board members that Bibb County was next door. He said his office is not perfect, but for the past 24 months, the office has had a surplus. Barksdale said that is because they have not been able to fill that second attorney slot.
“If we are going to attract a qualified candidate, we need more money,” he said. “My expectations are high, but I want the best here.”
The DA said he covered an attorney’s recent maternity leave himself, and he asked the commissioners to make an investment for the future.
“Your assistance will enable me to get quality here,” he added.
Commissioner Sam Kitchens asked Rizner if the approval needed to be made at the meeting or when they work on the county’s budget.
Rizner said it needed to be done at the meeting because it has to do with the state’s budget. The state’s fiscal year begins July 1.
Kitchens said the Ocmulgee Circuit is the largest in land mass, the lowest paid but the highest quality in the state. He said since he has been on the board, Barksdale had asked for the same budget.
“He has made a decision for quality and asked for a fair cost for employees. It all rolls together, and I think the request is valid and warranted,” he said.
Commissioner John Wood said he appreciated the 125 percent effort given by Barksdale and his staff.
“We owe this to him and his staff,” Wood said.
Kitchens made the motion to grant the request of the DA, and the motion was approved unanimously.
Rizner brought the budget for the 8th Judicial District to the board. Jones County’s portion of that budget is $224,171.
That budget includes judge’s supplements, court reporter supplements and fees and courtroom technology.
He said the last increase in the budget was in 2015.
Martin made the motion to approve the district budget, and it was approved unanimously.
The administrator presented a three-month contract extension for Jones County Transit to allow additional time for the bidding process for services. Martin made the motion to approve the extension, and it was approved unanimously.
He also brought a request for $150,000 additional funding to complete the Liberty Park project. Rizner said the budget for the project was $450,000, and $250,000 of that was grant-funded. He said prices had skyrocketed.
The administrator also explained that portions of the project were proposed to be done in-house, but it has been realized the county does not have the expertise to perform those tasks.
Kitchens agreed. He said he had been in conversation about the need to complete the project at the level of the other areas of the park.
Rizner said the funds were available from the capital reserves account.
Kitchens made the motion to approve the additional funding, and it was approved unanimously.
Old Business
Approval of a beer and wine license for a business at 244 Shurling Drive was first under Old Business. The item was postponed at the previous meeting for more information about the location and type of business.
The owner, Crystal Duggans, gave the address of the business and explained it was located in the former location of Subway. She said it is a soul food restaurant and an event catering venue.
She said the business had been open since May 18 without alcohol.
Martin made the motion to approve the license, and it was approved unanimously.
The commissioner talked about the Safe Routes to School Grant and asked for board agreement to apply for the grant. He said there are not safe routes for kids to ride bicycles in Jones County.
Kitchens said the number of kids riding bicycles continues to grow.
“I’m amazed at the changes in kids in these programs. It makes a huge difference when people care enough to be involved,” he said.
Martin made the motion to pursue the grant, and it was approved unanimously.
Main Street Gray Director Ashley Roberson spoke to commissioners about the 365 Brand marketing proposal. She explained she was standing in for Haley Watson, who spoke to them about the proposal at their last meeting.
Roberson said Watson stood in for her at the city meeting the previous night.
She said the city and county are being asked to put in $25,000 each, and other city/county organizations would split the remaining cost.
Wood made the motion to approve the county’s $25,000 portion.
Comments
Amy Rockmore expressed concerns about the gate not being open at State Place cemetery and the mowing and upkeep of the gravesites.
Rizner said public works takes care of the grass. He said he would work with them on areas that need cutting and the opening of the gate.
Evelyn Hill asked about the playground equipment for Haddock Park. She said she was told it would be there in the spring, and summer starts in a couple of days.
She said the kids in Haddock need a place to play.
Wood said the bid had been approved and it is still within the timeframe of the bidder to install the equipment. He asked for Hill’s phone number and said he would get an update the next day and call her.
Weidner asked Martin to read the plaque that was waiting for him when he arrived at the meeting. The commissioner said he was surprised to receive the award from Middle Georgia Clean Air Coalition. The wording on the plaque recognized the commissioner for his forward thinking.
DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff
