Commission may approve legal action for non-paying SW customers

Clarion Top News

Wednesday, 23 March 2022 12:57

The Jackson County Commission discussed several items at the last meeting and work session held on Monday, March 14, 2022. Solid Waste Director Brittni Green was present to address non-paying customers. Green stated that currently they are servicing 12,991 paying customers, 350 of which have not been paying their bill, bringing a staggering loss of $200,000 per year. According to Green, garbage collection in Jackson County is obligatory and not optional. Because of the customers who do pay their garbage collection fees, and because it is unfair to those paying customers that there are not stricter regulations regarding the non-payment for service, Green recently met with the District Attorney, the Jackson County Circuit Clerk and Judge Don Word to come up with a solution. Through a decision of the court, and after a thorough on-site check to ensure people are still living at the residence and receiving these services from Solid Waste, the court will issue a summons through the Circuit Clerk’s office. If they are a no-show to the court proceedings, a legal warrant will be issued. Payment plans will then be instated through the court system and not through approved by the Commission at the next regular meeting, this will go into effect on Friday, April 1, 2022.

Green stated that recently, Jackson County Solid Waste put out a public notice in the paper, giving 30 days for non-payers to settle their garbage collection bill. This resulted in only three people showing up. In the past, Solid Waste has resorted to seizing the collection cans from the residences once they reach $100 in delinquency, or about a year of non-payment, which has been quite effective in bringing the number of non-paying residents in to settle their bill.

In the instance a customer can prove they are not responsible for the overdue bills, or if they can prove they are not able to pay, Green stated that Solid Waste would be more than happy to work with them.

The commissioners approved a resolution to authorize the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the amount up to and out of $375,666 for eligible water and sewer infrastructure progress in Wannville. The Jackson County Water Authority will be sub-recipient/sub-ward and will be required to present all work as it is done, as well as the receipts for all work completed. Currently the project should be completed by December of this year, although with the ARPA funds, they must be designated by December of 2024 and spent by December 2026.

During the regular meeting, the commission voted to approve and sign a contract with Foster’s Aquatic Vegetation Removal, LLC. The contract allows Foster to park his equipment and vehicle at Sportsman’s Landing during daylight hours while maintaining the eel grass and other vegetation to the maximum depth allowable by TVA. Trash will also be removed. This contract is for one year and may be renewed in one-year increments. It also give the Commission immediate termination power if they find just cause. Foster expects his equipment and supplies to arrive soon and should be getting started some time in late May or early June.

Commissioners also discussed support for E-911 computer-aided dispatch for vehicles and Jacob’s Well and Flat Rock food banks support. Currently, Jacob’s Well has requested $60,000 to cover five years of food costs, although they also desperately need to expand their facility, with their building costs coming in at $117,000. Flat Rock Community Center has also requested funds in the amount of $65,000 to cover their expansion.

In addition, currently the 911 system for the county is outdated, while providing an up-to-date system would speed up efficiency and cut down in response time. It would also allow first responders, such as an ambulance, to be aware there is a confrontation or dispute at the scene before they arrive. In some instances, first responders have arrived and walked right into a tense situation with no warning. The system would simultaneously alert all necessary agencies of every detail, including a map, advanced search capabilities, who is en-route, who is already on-scene, even an alert if there has been a COVID case there previously. The entire system will come in at $200,000. The food banks and the E-911 system were moved to the next meeting to allow time for commissioners to decide the best route to take with the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and ARPA funds they will be using together to fund these projects, as the two can be combined when necessary.

Commissioners also approved Mike Ashburn to act as designated voting custodian in aid to Jackson County Probate and the Emergency Management Agency to conduct voting machine testing and provide support on election day. Ashburn will be paid $2,550 for his services.

The resurfacing agreement to approve paving at Hytop Park was approved. The town of Hytop has approved to spend $60,000 with the Commission handling the rest of the costs.
Three resolutions were approved to recognize the Skyline Lady Vikings basketball team for their Class 1A state runner up status; the Pisgah Lady Eagles basketball team for their Class 2A state champion win; and the Section Lions basketball team for their Class 2A champion win. The commissioners plan to arrive at each of these schools as a group and present the resolutions recognizing these three county teams.

The Commission set aside the rules to allow for the immediate approval of $3,850 to go toward a new roof on the trailer currently housing the caretakers at North Sand Mountain Park. After the trailer’s move from Jackson County Park in 2012, the porch was detached. Today, there is a significant leak, and the roof needs to be replaced, with its full replacement less costly than consecutive repairs every few months.

The commissioners also considered the need for a vertical roof to go over the outdoor grills at Jackson County Park, allowing patrons to grill their food under a shelter during inclement weather.
Commissioner A.J. Buckner stated he would like a public hearing scheduled as soon as possible, allowing citizens to attend to hear the plans for the Liberty Lane building and voice their concerns and/or ideas. This meeting will be held on Monday, March 28, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. in Courtroom 1 at the Jackson County courthouse. 

by Martha Smith