Hardly a seat was vacant at the February Union County Commission meeting. Several citizens from Sharps Chapel attended. Four representatives from Friends of Sharps Chapel appeared before commission to make public comments regarding the organization and the factory chicken farm.
Jim Johnson related that the next meeting for the group would be March 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sharps Chapel Senior Center and more information would be available on the Sanford Project.
Mary Johnson shared that no government agency monitors manure once it leaves the chicken farm. She also noted that property tax would only increase by $150. She remarked that current information is on the website for Friends of Sharps Chapel: isnorrislakenext.com.
James McGuire spoke on behalf of Mildred Ousley, one of Chapel's oldest residents at 94 who “does not see this farm as progress” and has stated she does not want it to do harm. Finally, Ted Edwards pointed out that prevention of a problem is better than trying to correct one that was created by inaction.
The Union County Commission delayed approval of the Board of Education’s contract with the architectural firm, Lewis Group, until March and sent it to the Budget Committee for review. Concern arose when Commissioner Lay asked the estimated cost of building a middle school and followed up with whether the architect fee was built into the estimate.
The contract calls for the architect fee to be six percent, which appeared to be a standard rate according to Finance Director Missy Brown and Mary Ann Stackhouse, the school board attorney.
Dr. Jimmy Carter, schools director, was not at the meeting to answer questions due to a recent surgery. Mayor Jason Bailey said that the County Technical Assistance Services (CTAS) recommended the commission approve or reject all contracts regardless of where in the county government they originated.
Commissioner Brantley moved to have all future contracts reviewed by the Budget Committee and Commissioner Jessee provided a second. The commission approved the motion and proceeded to vote on each contract individually. Contracts with Instructure, CLI, and Mitchell, Emert, & Hill from the Board of Education were approved. The contract with Lewis Group was sent to the Budget Committee and a request for Carter or someone from the school board to attend the budget meeting to answer questions.
The commission also approved two resolutions to transfer ownership of the use agreement on Beach Island to new owners from Texas with increased fees and to accept a TVA grant to make repairs caused by erosion.
Commission also approved the report of the Audit Committee whose responsibility is to review the audit performed by the state auditors and draw attention to any concerns. The General Fund Budget had no findings. Mayor Bailey applauded Central Finance for its professionalism and expertise in handling some $56M. However, the audit committee reported a finding in the Register of Deeds Office that has been resolved.
For seven months the Register of Deeds had not filed the collection report or reconciled the ledger. Apparently some $446,000 was deposited in the bank account but the county and state portion of the fees collected were not transferred.
The Register of Deeds, Mary Beth Kitts, had suffered a devastating illness and had never taught the Deputy Registrar to perform these duties. The county avoided a $65,000 penalty when Mayor Bailey asked the state to teach the Deputy Register of Deeds Ann Russell these skills.
Russell electronically transferred all funds by the February 15 deadline to resolve the issue. Commissioner Jessee asked the state auditors to do a full investigation of the Register of Deeds Office to ensure no other issues exist.
In other financial matters, the commission approved all budget amendments and transfers. Most of the changes involved grant revenues and moving funds to meet needs or legal requirements. Commission also agreed with Trustee Gina Gilbert's recommendation of K. David Myers as the Delinquent Tax Attorney.
Sheriff Breeding reported 678 calls, 3 wrecks with injury, 34 wrecks without injury, 106 persons booked into the jail and 110 released from custody. The jail population on January 31 was 63.
Commission also agreed to pay Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings, PLLC, who represented the 8th District in the opioid litigation.
At the end of the meeting, one commissioner asked who would provide water to the chicken facility. Mayor Bailey thought Hallsdale Powell would be the provider but no one knew for sure. Another asked if the flooding last week had been reported to TEMA or FEMA. Mayor Bailey responded that TEMA did not think that the damage was severe enough.
The next Union County Commission meeting will be on March 28.