Published: January 13, 2009 12:50 pm         

Fiscal Court passes social host ordinance

Monticello — A social host ordinance, which sets criminal penalties for adults who

provide alcohol or drugs to minors on their property, has been approved by

the fiscal court. Magistrates approved the second reading of the ordinance

during their meeting on Thursday, January 8.

The ordinance, which is similar to the one approved in neighboring

Clinton County, sets fines that range from $250 to $1,000, depending on the

number of offenses. Anyone who is found guilty of violating the ordinance

can also serve up to a year in jail.

The ordinance was first discussed two months ago, following a

presentation to the court by local students and the Wayne County Community

Health Council. The students provided statistics about alcohol use among

youth and then requested that the court consider a social host ordinance.

The first reading of the ordinance was heard by the court during the

December meeting.

After the second reading was heard on Thursday night, District Three

Magistrate Dale Vaughn noted that when he first heard about the proposed

ordinance, he thought there was a state law to deal with this type of

situation. After learning there was not, Vaughn said that he still feels

like this is something that could be better addressed at the state level,

and he has talked with local representatives about it.

"I think a bill should be filed during this (legislative) session,"

stated Vaughn.

Vaughn said he had no problem with the county passing the ordinance, and

he made the motion to approve the social host ordinance in Wayne County.

Also during Thursday's meeting, the court approved Roberts Construction

as the contractor for the Otter Creek Academy project.

Jeff Choate, who is chairman of the board for the Foothills Academy in

Albany, said that bids have been received for the $4 million project, which

will construct a girls facility in Wayne County.

He said the board recommended Roberts Construction, which was

approximately $41,000 higher than the lowest bid that was received. But the

board was concerned with the lack of experience on similar projects by the

company that had the lowest bid. He noted that the architect for the project

recommended that Roberts Construction head up the project.

Choate said that it would take approximately one year to build the

facility, which will ultimately house 48 girls. He said when they open they

will start with 12 to 24 residents and then go up from there.

Initial employment will likely be 40 people and that will increase to as

many as 60.

In other action, the court:

€ Approved the 2009 budgets and salary allotments for the Wayne County

Sheriff and the Wayne County Clerk.

€ Approved the reappointment of Bill McClellan to a four-year term on

the Park Board.

€ Agreed to advertise for several road name changes, including: Liberty

Church Road to Kidder Road; Jane Keith Cemetery Road to Starlin New road;

and Keeton Cemetery Road to Keeton Farms Road.

€ Agreed to advertise for the adoption of 300 feet of Roberts Road into

the county road system.

€ Heard a monthly report from Jailer Ray Upchurch who noted that the

population at the Wayne County Detention Center is 149, including 56 county

inmates and 93 state inmates. For the month of December, the Detention

Center has billed a total of $96,266.28 for housing inmates.

€ Heard a report from Wayne County EMS Director Bubby Corder, who noted

that in 2008 the ambulance service made a total of 3,483 contacts. The

ambulance service made 315 more calls in 2008 than in 2007. Corder also

noted that the first EMT class is set to begin January 26 and it is full

with a total of 16 students.

€ Heard a report from Solid Waste Coordinator Tim Bell who noted that

white goods and large household items were collected at 44 households in the

county last month, bringing to total to 902 for 2008.

     

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