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Fiscal Court to draft ordinance to recreate park Melodie Phelps News Editor Amendments to the joint city-council ordinance that created the Monticello-Wayne County Park were a "positive step," but they did not change the present problems at the facility, County Judge-Executive Bruce Ramsey said during a meeting of fiscal court on Thursday, October 13. Ramsey made the motion to draft a new ordinance and recreate the park. The effort was approved by a 3-2 vote, following a heated discussion on the issue. The vote came following a brief recess by county government, after they had discussed the amended ordinance approved earlier in the week by Monticello City Council. The amended ordinance required several things from the Park Board that had been discussed over the past few months, since the fiscal court had suspended monthly funding to the park. The amended ordinance required the Park Board to have annual audits, to submit annual inventory lists, to adopt personnel policies and procedures, to hold monthly meetings, to provide monthly reports of receipts and expenditures and to institute random drug testing of employees. "I think it is a positive step, but it totally ignores the present problem," stated Ramsey. "I think it is important we take care of the present problems." The county has been concerned with the lack of accountability from the Park Board, as well as the absence of regular meetings by the group. When fiscal court suspended funding in May, Ramsey referred to personnel problems at the park. During last week's meeting, he specifically said he had a problem with a park employee drinking on the job. Ramsey stated that no one should be allowed to drink while working and that it should not be tolerated. "None of us should be allowed to play by a different set of rules than everybody else," stated Ramsey. District One Magistrate Jerry Sloan suggested the court have a first reading of the amended ordinance that had been approved by the council. He noted that it would be in effect much quicker than drafting a whole new ordinance. "We voted to let Lee (Tobbe) and Jay (Jones) try and work something out," said Sloan. "Why should be have even asked them to work on it?" "They've not worked out a solution I can live with," replied Ramsey. Ramsey's motion was seconded by District Three Magistrate Ricky Worley. Worley, District Two Magistrate Jess Jones and Ramsey voted in favor. Sloan and District Four Magistrate Wade Upchurch were opposed. Ramsey said the new ordinance would create a new entity that has no employees. Board members would have to be appointed to oversee the operation. It would take action by both the city and county to change the original ordinance that created the park. The 1982 ordinance will remain in effect until action is taken by both governments. The court took a up a couple of matters of business to help bring the county in compliance with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). Bids were opened for the new machines that will help disabled voters in each precinct in the county. Harp Enterprises had the lone bid for the new voting equipment. It totaled $119,015. Federal funds have been designated to pay for the entire cost of the equipment. Another facet of HAVA is geared toward making sure disabled voters can actually get inside polling places to vote. Under the act, voting houses must have a paved handicapped parking space, as well as a sidewalk or ramp that allows access into the building. County Court Clerk Carol Jones noted that this is not a problem at the majority of polling places in Wayne County. But there is a problem with the five or six precincts that are located on private property. The county cannot spend money to improve private property, and officials have looked at several options. Tobbe explained that some counties are actually signing lease agreements with private property owners that will allow the county to upgrade parking facilities to meet the HAVA requirements. The court directed Tobbe to pursue lease agreements for the polling places were these are needed. Add a comment |
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