Jones County Commissioners honored law enforcement officers and heard a request for more funds for the tax assessors’ office at last week’s meeting.
The June 2 meeting was called to order by Board Chairman Chris Weidner, and the prayer and pledge were led by Jones County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jimmy Howard. The meeting was preceded by a lengthy work session during which candidates for the position of Animal Services Director were interviewed.
Earl Colvin spoke to the board under the visitor’s portion of the agenda. He talked about the wording of a historic marker for Jake’s Woods and the desire of the Oliver Morton Chapter of the DAR and History and Heritage to place a plaque at the courthouse in honor of America’s 250th Anniversary.
Colvin said it is too late to get the plaque at the courthouse before July 4th. The goal is to have it in place before the end of 2026. The proposed wording of the plaque is “250 years of freedom, thank you.”
“It will not say thank you veterans, but it could mean that. It could also mean thank you God,” he said.
Weidner suggested the commissioners have a work session to work out the details of the marker and plaque.
New Business
The chairman asked the law enforcement officers to come forward as he read a proclamation to make June 15-21 Law Enforcement Week in Jones County.
The proclamation recognizes the men and women on the front lines of public safety.
“Jones County’s law enforcement officials and public safety officers face intense challenges and make profound sacrifices to ensure the safety of all citizens and play a critical role in keeping us safe and putting themselves at risk.
“The men and women of the Jones County Sheriff’s Office and his dedicated team helps to maintain the well-being of our county. These individuals provide an invaluable service and should be recognized for their commitment and bravery.”
Jones County Board of Tax Assessors Chairman Dr. Leigh Stanford came to the commissioners to ask for a budget amendment for the department. She said she was excited about the hiring of new chief appraiser Lori Buchanan after a yearlong search. The chief appraiser will start in the position June 15.
“She is highly qualified, and she lives in Jones County,” Stanford said.
She also announced that Lonnett Jones completed the Appraiser I course, which makes her eligible to become Secretary of the Board of Assessors. Stanford said Bill Goodman is working on his Appraiser 3 certification.
“The existing staff continues to move forward.”
The speaker said the department had received the countywide revaluation, and it was money well spent.
“We will have a fair and uniform digest, as required,” she said.
Stanford said she believes the new digest will allow the commissioners to roll back the tax rate event further.
The chairman said the department previously asked for a $75,000 budget amendment, but they continue to find more expenses. She said the department is understaffed and will be asking for additional funds at budget time, but more money is needed now.
Stanford said they have contracted with Technical Appraisal Services to perform a one-third revaluation of properties each year. That contract begins July 1.
“It’s more feasible to engage them to keep values current and lock in accurate figures,” she said.
Stanford said assessment notices will be mailed July 1, and property owners will have 45 days to appeal. Technical Appraisal Services will be defending its revaluation numbers.
She said they have contracted with Traylor Business Services for the county’s Business Personal Property returns.
Commissioner Sam Kitchens said taxpayers were told it would be a three-year process to correct the problems with property values, and this is the third year.
“Their values may have gone up each year, but it will not continue,” he said.
Stanford agreed after this year there should be no more drastic changes in property values.
She asked the board to redirect $100,000 already in the tax assessors budget from salaries to services to pay for contracted services.
Commissioner Daylon Martin made that motion, and the vote to approve was unanimous.
Stanford said new office furniture is needed, which will cost an estimated $24,000. The speaker said the furniture now in the office is held together with duct tape and super glue.
She said $11,000 was needed to cover additional printing costs that were not expected from the revaluation process and $3,400 needed to settle a contract for outdated services entered into by the previous board.
All totaled, she asked for another $38,000.
Martin suggested waiting for the new chief appraiser to determine how to reconfigure the office and the furniture needed. Stanford then asked for $15,000 to pay the printing expense and cover the contract settlement.
Commissioner Wendy Vaughn made that motion, and it was approved unanimously.
The final agenda item was a request for a beer and wine license for a store on Joycliff Road.
Clerk of the Board Shannon Wagner recommended denial of the license due to the fact that neither the owner nor registered agent for the establishment live in Jones County.
The meeting was adjourned to enter into closed session. At the end of the closed session, the meeting was reopened only to be adjourned again with no action taken.
The next Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled June 16.
