The Greenwood County Commission held a routine weekly meeting on Monday, July 13, where they discussed routine business, along with property valuations and the pending employee pay scale.
Commissioners noted that no treasurer’s report was available for review. Commissioners noted that they would like to see the reports weekly, as the previous county treasurer routinely emailed weekly financial reports to department heads and hand-delivered copies to commissioners.
Commissioners discussed the county’s compliance with the state’s property valuation ratio study. County Commissioner Mac Obourn said the county has been working toward compliance since 2018. He noted Greenwood County was one of only two counties out of compliance last year, compared to approximately 25 counties two years prior. The discussion also touched on residential appraisal schedules, with Obourn explaining that residential properties are physically reviewed every four years, while valuations are analyzed annually. Agricultural land values are established by the state. Commissioners Obourn and Judd Everitt noted they had spoken with the appraiser’s office and were told that staff was hesitant to increase values “all of a sudden” on some properties. Although the commission understands the impact of valuation adjustments on property owners, they are hopeful to be within compliance.
Questions were also raised regarding motor vehicle tag fees. Commissioners noted the current $5 fee could legally be increased. It was noted that other counties are charging $15. Commissioners questioned whether those funds went to the Treasurer’s budget or to the general fund and asked County Clerk Deann McCaffree to verify where those revenues are deposited. The commissioners also inquired on if the state could provide additional computers for the treasurer’s office for DMV purposes.
Greenwood County Treasurer Staci Pearse and Appraiser Shawna Griffitts were not in attendance during the discussion and weren’t called to the meeting.
The commission held executive sessions with Noxious Weed Director Debi Selfridge and County Counselor Paul Dean for a personnel evaluation and County Counselor Dean regarding legal matters pertaining to a road. No action taken.
Commissioners later approved separating the Noxious Weed Department from the Road and Bridge Department.
The commission discussed providing additional personnel to assist the weed department with mowing and spraying operations while designating specific Road and Bridge employees to help as needed.
Commissioners continued discussion on the proposed county pay scale. Emergency Manager Levi Vinson noted he was still waiting for tier levels from three departments. Clerk McCaffree asked the commission if they were planning to offer a Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) for county employees. Commissioners, along with Vinson, noted that a COLA increase would negate the current proposal; further elaborating that data currently shows that approximately half of the county employees are above market values. Commissioner Roy Ballard noted that the county is expecting to see an approximate $50,000 increase to the payroll as remaining employees are moved to the tier levels/ positions they should be.
Commissioner Everitt also suggested implementing a hiring freeze in some departments, noting other counties have been able to operate with fewer employees as populations decline. Vinson planned to gather the remaining three department’s tier breakdowns and present the pay scale for approval next week.
Road and Bridge Supervisor Allen Greenwood received input regarding various projects from the commission. Greenwood updated the commission regarding an ongoing log jam near 290th Street. He noted that crews have discovered a 10- to 12-inch pipe but have been unable to determine ownership or if the pipe remains active. Greenwood shared that the state has advised them to not move forward until ownership and activity have been determined.
The commission approved a zoning permit for a communications tower at 3643 V Road, near Madison.
The commission approved the minutes from the June 29 and July 6 meetings, along with special payables for July 13 totaling $25,081.92.
Following adjournment, commissioners held their monthly Eureka Township meeting.
The Greenwood County Commission will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, July 20, beginning at 9 a.m. The commission plans to hold a budget work session following the meeting, with the budget hearing being slated for Monday, Aug. 24.
