Court splits 3/2 on vote to reduce requirements for payroll deductions

The Jasper County Commissioners Court met in a brief special session last Wednesday, March 19.

The court reviewed the county's current policy on participation in various insurance and financial programs offered to county employees on a payroll deduction basis.

The current policy requires that any company that wants to offer a plan, such as dental insurance or a credit union, must first meet with and sign up 51 percent of the county employees before the county treasurer is authorized to set up a payroll deduction account for the plan.

County Judge Mark Allen suggested that the percentage be lowered, but Precinct 3 Commissioner Willie Stark said before the county had that requirement, the court was flooded with requests.

"If we drop below 51 percent, we are going to be bombarded," Precinct 1 Commissioner Charles Shofner Jr. agreed.

County Treasurer Renee Kelly said her payroll system can only handle so many deductions, and that each one puts an additional burden on her office.

The proposal to lower the percentage was defeated, with Stark, Shofner and Precint 2 Commissioner Roy Parker voting against, and Allen and Precinct 4 Commissioner Vance Moss voting for it.

In other business, the county added Willie McFarland to the Workforce Solutions board, and reappointed Allen and Shofner to serve on the DETCOG board..

They also approved a plan to enter into an agreement with Henderson Family Patnership to repair a retention wall. As soon as specifications are written, the court will publish a legal notice to open bidding.