JONES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
The November third Tuesday meeting of the Jones County Commissioners started with a familiar theme of the need for public water in unserved areas of the county.
Board Chairman Chris Weidner called the Nov. 21 meeting to order, and Jordan Echols with Gray Community Church led the opening prayer and pledge.
Dr. Kara Moore was reappointed to the Jones County Board of Health for a six-year term.
Comer Road resident Collen Tomblin spoke to board members about the need for county water. She said her family moved from Warner Robins and built a home in Jones County and loves it, but the problem of finding radon in their water supply has put a damper on all that.
Tomblin said radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer and is not only a problem in Juliette. The speaker explained that a neighbor experiencing health issues found out their well water was contaminated, which prompted them to have their well tested. A high concentration of radon was discovered in their water.
The water is not safe to use for drinking, cooking or bathing.
“I have to go somewhere else to take a shower,” she said.
As a result, they have installed an expensive aeration system with no guarantees it will fix the problem.
“People need to know it is here,” Tomblin said. “Water tests are essential before people build, but public water could solve the problem. I pray you can help us; our kids and grandkids are at risk.”
Commissioner Sam Kitchens said the biggest hurdle for running water lines was funding. He said the problem is there are not enough people living in the area to pay for running the lines.
“It’s a complicated situation and expensive,” he added.
New business
Clerk of the Board and HR Director Shannon Wagner asked about the second meeting scheduled in December. She said that meeting has been canceled in the past. Commissioner Daylon Martin made the motion to cancel that meeting, and the vote to approve the motion was unanimous.
County Administrator Jason Rizner said GEFA funding had been approved for the installation of a forced main for sewer service at Griswoldville Park, the county’s industrial park. He said the amount of the loan was $4,288,500. He recommended that the resolution be approved for the funding.
Martin made the motion to approve the resolution, which passed with a unanimous vote.
Old Business
Rizner presented the second reading of an amendment to the county’s Historic Presentation Commission Ordinance pertaining to enforcement of the ordinance. Zoning Officer Tim Pitrowski is named as the person empowered to enforce to ordinance.
The first reading took place at the previous meeting, and the administrator said no changes had been made. Kitchens made the motion to approve the amendment, and the vote to approve was unanimous.
The final item on the agenda was the purchase of a UTV rescue vehicle for the use of Jones County Fire Rescue, presented by EMA Director Don Graham. The recommendation was for the purchase of a 2024 Polaris for $22,271.
After a lengthy question and answer discussion by commissioners, Kitchens made the motion to authorize Graham and Rizner to make the purchase, pending checking the price with the service Sourcewell. Approval of the motion was unanimous.
Comments
Graham reported that ISO inspectors visited the county two weeks ago and the inspection went well. The director said he would not know the score until the Spring.
“I know we did better than last time,” he said.
The director said the Jones County Sheriff’s Office CAD system made a big difference.
Kitchens said he has noticed the work being done around fire hydrants, and he appreciated it.
Graham said that was a joint effort with the Jones County Water Department and Water Superintendent Brandon Stark.
Martin asked the timeline on the sewer system at the industrial park. Rizner said all the documents were ready for bids, and the project schedule was laid out. He estimated the project would be completed in January of 2025.
The commissioner asked about progress for the assessment of county roads, and the administrator said data would be presented at the next meeting. He added that LMIG submissions are due Feb. 1.
Martin said progress had been made on one code enforcement violator, but the ordinance still needs more teeth.
Rizner presented the county with the $400,000 ‘big check’ to fund the county’s Community Housing Improvement Grant from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
The meeting was adjourned to go into closed session for personnel. When the meeting reconvened, commissioners voted on grade changes for department heads and longevity raises for employees marking 10 years of service to the county.
Commissioner Wendy Vaughn made the motion to approve the changes, and the motion passed unanimously. Following that vote, the meeting was adjourned.
The next meeting of the Board of Commissioners is scheduled at 6 p.m. Dec. 5.
