County joins Greenway Commission; tables request for variance

By Lisa Majors-Duff

The greenway system is intended to enhance the quality of life in Jackson County by encouraging citizen wellness and maintaining environments that promote recreational activities; by promoting appreciation for the county's natural, historic and cultural resources; by providing safe and efficient links between recreational sites, open spaces, residential areas, employment centers, and educational and cultural facilities; and by protecting environmental assets and retaining beneficial ecological habitats.

The Greenway Commission, which will be made up of 15 voting members, will be responsible in part for studying the needs of Jackson County and coordinating the system of greenways; making recommendations and assisting governing bodies with greenway development; investigating and applying for funding sources; pursuing and promoting public/private partnerships in developing, constructing and maintaining the greenways; and preparing a master plan.

The commission will not, however, be authorized to bind participating governments; to own property; to employ personnel; to obtain easements or construct greenways; or to incur any financial liabilities exceeding the amount of its funding and awarded grants without permission of the participating units.

Also according to the agreement, funding for the commission will be made at the discretion of the participating governments. Jackson County will serve as the fiscal agent for the commission and house any staff. AmeriCorps volunteer Mary Yonce has been named to a part-time position with the project.

In other business to come before the board, Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Jim Ashe requested that the board consider changing retirement requirements for law enforcement officers. As it stands now, state law allows law enforcement personnel to receive full cash retirement benefits after 20 years of service. Those who take this route, though, are responsible for paying their health insurance premiums until they reach age 60 or put in 30 years of service, the requirements for other county employees to retire with full health insurance benefits. Ashe's request was that the age requirement for law enforcement retirement be dropped from 60 to 55 and that their health insurance coverage be provided by the county.

Until such time as a written proposal is available, Denton requested that further discussion on the issue be tabled.

Tax collector Beverly Buchanan reported that her office has collected more than $318,000 in back taxes so far this fiscal year. The figure represents more than $100,000 over the same time period last year. The tax collector's office has led an aggressive campaign to collect back taxes, going as far as the garnishing wages and attaching the bank accounts of those who owe.

Following a public hearing during which no comments were heard, commissioners approved two changes to the manufactured home park ordinance. In one case, the wording of one section was modified to reflect the fact that two or more manufactured homes constitute a park. The other wording change requires a certificate of occupancy after establishing, altering or expanding a park.

Norman Dudgeon's request for a flood plain ordinance variance was tabled after both he and county building inspector John Wittekind presented their sides of the situation. Dudgeon stated he was told by someone in the building inspections department that he did not need a building permit for his planned tractor shed/pump house on the banks of the Tuckaseigee River.

But since his building will not be the required distance from the river, Wittekind said Dudgeon would be required to obtain a flood plain ordinance variance, which Wittekind recommended against. The issue is expected to come up again at the next commissioners' meeting tonight.

Due to a mistake in the written specifications for site improvement bids connected to the new jail, the project has been readvertised, finance officer Darlene Fox said. The new bids are scheduled to be opened Thursday, Dec. 21, at the Justice Center.

Reporting as a member of the teacher supplement committee, Commissioner Conrad Burrell said a new proposal will be presented to the county board.During several meetings with commissioners, Jackson County educators requested a 5 percent supplement to their pay at a cost of approximately $662,000. The request was not included in the county's 2000-01 budget, though school officials did agree to a $50,000 supplement for teachers, which resulted in a .43 percent increase per teacher.

The new request, Burrell said, will be a three-year plan, with a 2 percent allocation during both the first and second years and 1 percent the final year. This issue, too, is expected to be on the agenda tonight.

At the request of Village of Forest Hills Mayor Irene Hooper, commissioners approved a resolution to be sent to the Department of Transportation requesting that North Country Club Drive be added to the state maintenance system.

Also approved as the reappointment of Keith Ward to the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority.

The next meeting of the board will be held at 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday) at the Justice Center.

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