Commissioners heard the county’s Fiscal Year 2025 audit review at last week’s meeting and made a decision about the purchase of golf carts, but those interested in the adoption of Jones County’s package sales ordinance will be waiting until June.
Board Chairman Chris Weidner called the May 19 meeting to order, and Parks and Recreation Director Bert Rosenberger led the opening prayer and pledge.
Jones County Little League President Jake Andrews gave a positive update about the success of the league’s baseball and softball programs. Andrews thanked the commissioners and the parks and recreation department for taking care of the fields.
He also thanked the county for contracting out the concessions, which he said works well and allows league volunteers to focus on the teams.
“We appreciate the relationship. This season went great, and the dry weather was good for the schedule, with only two rainout dates,” he said.
Andrews said participation in the leagues was up 16 percent with 677 players and 56 teams.
He said the last game was the day of the meeting.
The president said Jones County would be hosting All Star games, sectionals and a district tournament.
Weidner thanked Andrews for the update and thanked all the volunteers.
The president said they have a talented board, but it does take a lot of work.
FY25 Audit
The audit review was presented by David Irwin with Mauldin and Jenkins. He began by stating that Jones County was issued a clean unmodified audit, which is the best that can be received.
Irwin said he is the partner who oversaw this year’s audit, and it is the auditor’s responsibility to give the opinion.
He thanked County Administrator Jason Rizner, Chief Financial Officer LaVita Crutchfield and the staff for their hard work.
Irwin took the commissioner through the highlights of the audit, including the county’s $107 million in assets and $36.2 million in revenue. He said revenues increased $1.7 million, and the county continues to strengthen its net position.
The auditor explained the fund balance is the difference between assets and liabilities and is not about cash. He said the county’s fund balance had a slight increase and totaled $18.1 million.
The expenses of the county equal $2.2 million a month, which means the county has seven months of operating expenses.
“This strong fund balance gives the county time to plan and not react,” he said. “This represents disciplined management.”
Irwin went on to talk about the county’s only enterprise fund, the water and sewer account.
He had a couple of suggestions but added that the water and sewer account was in good shape.
“This is about being proactive,” he said.
Irwin also mentioned the classification of capital assets that involved accounting standards. He said the staff was already addressing the issues.
Rizner said the only other New Business was a resolution for license fees for distilled spirits, which he asked to be postponed.
Old Business
Rosenberger presented quotes from three vendors for golf carts. He went over several options, including the choice between gas and electric carts. He said the quotes were higher than those received in 2022.
The director explained that in 2022 there were no new carts available, and the county basically kept what it had. He said the difference in the monthly cost could be offset by an increase in the cart rental fee.
Rosenberger said his recommendation would be the E-Z-GO Lithium battery carts. He said the carts had upgrades that the golfers would appreciate. The upgrades include screens that provide information, such as how far the golfer is from the hole.
“That gives them value for what they are getting,” he said.
Rosenberger said the golf course is already set up to charge the carts, and the lithium batteries are warrantied for four years, the length of the contract.
Commissioner Daylon Martin made the motion to go with the E-Z-GO refurbished Lithium carts and increase the cart rental fee by $4. The vote to approve the motion was unanimous.
Rizner said item two of Old Business needed to be postpone because Zoning Officer Tim Pitrowski was out of town. The item is the second reading and adoption of the package sales ordinance, and it is important for Pitrowski present to handle permit applications.
Comments
Consulting Engineer Tim Ingram of Ingram and Associates gave an update on Phase 1 and 2 of the county’s water projects. He said by next week the contractor should be flushing out water lines.
Ingram said the people in the area wanting to be connected needed to be making decisions.
“We are making good progress. There are a total of 300 customers in the area,” he said.
Ingram said one important aspect of the water lines is fire protection.
Water Superintendent Brandon Stark said he and coworkers have been knocking on doors of people in the area. The cost to connect to the county waterline while under construction is half of the normal tap-on fee.
The phone number to the water department for more information is 478-743-3211.
Clerk of the Board Shannon Wagner said the county has been employing students in the Jones County High School Work-Based Learning Program. She said they’ve had 10 students working during the school year, and two have been hired to work full-time in the maintenance department.
Rizner said the county even got to participate in the program’s signing day.
The next meeting of the board is scheduled June 2.
