Published: February 08, 2006 07:06 pm      

Plans for SPLOST funds are shifting

Jail cost decreases; while library, hospital increase

The municipalities have made their Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) requests, amended those requests, and it has all come down to County Administrator Dr. Van Whaler’s recommendations, all of which were made to the Board of Commissioners at a called meeting held Monday evening.

Whaler circulated a disposition form detailing the requests and a few conspicuous amendments. For example, the Hospital Authority’s original request was $500,000; its amended request is $2,250,000. Whaler’s recommendation is $500,000.

Other items that have increased are the Jackson-Butts County Library expansion, from $125,000 to $481,050; roads and bridges from $3,000,000 to $3,225,000; capital equipment from $2,000,000 to $2,650,000, and the administration building’s Phase II construction from $1,000,000 to $1,750,000.

“When are we having that meeting with the Hospital Authority?” asked Board Chairman Eddie Travis.

“It’s February 20,” said Whaler.

“Can we hold off on any decision until after that meeting?” asked Travis.

“You really don’t have to make a decision tonight,” said Whaler.

“I’d like to make sure that our representative is on the SPLOST committee by that meeting,” said Commissioner Gerald Kersey.

Typically during SPLOST, the Board of Commissioners chooses a committee of citizens to promote the sales tax around the community, as the Board is prohibited from campaigning for SPLOST. Each commissioner is able to appoint one member to the committee. The Board has planned to have the committee selected by February 13.

“As for the administration building, the cost went up because of Phase II construction – building façade work, 911 Center, District Attorney’s Office and other site improvements,” said Whaler. “I recommended the library expansion at $481,050 because of the meeting I had with the architect.”

“I think we can probably do it for less than $300,000 – for 1,000 square feet,” said Kersey.

“That expansion is supposed to be on the back of the building, right?” asked Travis.

“Yes,” said Whaler.

“I’ll tell you something,” said Kersey, “I’ve been to some of the kid things they have down there at the library. The city’s footing the bill for six months, and that thing is very well worth what little money we put into it. They have some great programs, and there’s always a crowd of younguns there.”

“That’s why the librarian wants to go with something that would hold 200 kids,” said Whaler.

“Have we looked at what the library actually needs?” asked Travis.

“Yes, we’ve talked with the Library Board about this,” said Whaler.

“I have a question about the Hospital,” said Board Vice Chairman John Harkness. “I’ve been reading over this memo that everything is wrong with the hospital, and that they have this comment here about possibly relocating out on Highway 16. Has anyone heard anything from Martha Almond about the hospital relocating to Highway 16?”

“One of the things that came out of the last Hospital Authority meeting was the proposed cost for the construction of a new hospital, which was a mind-boggling $56,000,000,” said Whaler. Tenet Management Company, which manages Sylvan Grove Hospital, estimated a new hospital’s construction at $1,000,000 per bed.

“That is mind-boggling, especially for 50 beds,” said Kersey.

“That’s the main reason we want to have a workshop: to talk with the Hospital Authority about what avenues need to be explored,” said Travis. “I knew someone was going to bring this up, however I want to urge us to all attend the workshop and stay positive about this. I want to see a community approach to this – something positive.”

“We were told that the cost would be about $1,000,000 per bed,” said Whaler.

“If we’ve got a hospital and it’s dilapidated and leaking and needs repairs, then we’re getting to the point where we’re going to have to have a new hospital; we really need one right now,” said Travis.

“If we’re through with SPLOST discussion, I’m going to make a motion that on our February 13 meeting our board members have their representatives for the SPLOST committee, and at that time we’ll set a meeting with them to get them kicked off,” said Kersey.

Board Vice Chairman John Harkness seconded the motion; it passed by a vote of 4-0. Commissioner Grover McIntyre was absent from the meeting.

Other changes in the proposed SPLOST include: $500,000 recommended for Recreation – up from $0; $3,150,00 for the City of Jackson – down from $4,000,000; $500,000 for the City of Flovilla – down from $1,350,000, and $350,000 for the City of Jenkinsburg, down from $950,000.