The Columbia County Quorum Court met on Monday, Jan. 10.
The meeting was short -- only 15 minutes -- but in spite of the brevity, Justices of the Peace covered six different issues in both old and new business.
The old business was started with Justice of the Peace Rick Waller saying that despite the COVID-19 pandemic Columbia County has been doing well.
Waller also said a body scanner that was purchased for the Columbia County Detention Center would arrive on Tuesday, Jan. 11. The body scanner's purchase was approved during the December Quorum Court meeting; it was paid for with federal COVID relief funds from the American Rescue Act Plan (ARPA). It is capable of detecting the vitals of individuals in order to check if they have fever in light of COVID-19, as well as items on a person that could be a security concern.
JP Terry Williams mentioned that after looking into the issue of an increase in the building insurance for Columbia County that the cost of insurance would increase by $23,000. The issue was previously discussed at the December meeting. Workman's Comp insurance will also increase this year by between $42,000 and $72,000 due to claims made last year.
JP Oliver Thomas mentioned that the recycling center finally has a full staff after previously being understaffed, but there have been issues with trash being mixed in with recycling.
A representative from Waste Corporation of America (WCA) explained on Wednesday that the mixture of trash in with the recycling has gotten bad enough that Abilities Unlimited Recycle Center had started to refuse to accept loads from WCA.
"We have had all sorts of things in the recycling which has caused the recycling to be picked through by hand. Some people were putting dirty diapers into the recycling. Some folks were putting in old spray cans, cans of varnish, paint thinner or other chemicals... Those are dangerous when they go through the shredder. It could start a fire. Glass cannot be recycled here and it was getting mixed in," he said. "If it's not caught, it breaks and everything has to be cleaned up... Things were different when cans were picked up by hand. We could look through things when we picked them up. Now that everything is done with the One-Armed Bandit (the lift arm that empties the cans) we can't do that."
He also noted that WCA does not accept any Styrofoam products or papers that is like magazine print as it has a laminate on it which makes it difficult to recycle.
WCA accepts clean cardboard that has not been used for carrying food; plastics including soda bottles, but the wrapper must be removed and the bottle rinsed; clean paper such as notebook paper or newsprint; aluminum cans that have been washed out; and tin/food cans that have been washed out.
The WCA representative also said that at times last year they were unable to work all the routes regularly due to issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the facility is currently fully staffed and regularly attending to all their routes.
In new business, Walker Creek Volunteer Fire Department of Taylor sought funding for two new turnout gears for their fire trucks to replace older ones. The turnout gears each cost $2,500. This issue was approved.
The last thing discussed before adjournment was an ordinance to amend the reimbursement for a Justice of the Peace. Justices of the Peace will now receive a $440.17 per diem reimbursement whenever they must attend a meeting of the Quorum Court. They may also receive the per diem compensation for one missed meeting if it is being missed due to emergency or personal reasons. A Justice of the Peace will not be reimbursed more than $5,282.04 in a year.
The Quorum Court usually meets at 5 p.m. in the Columbia County Courthouse on the first Monday of every month. This month, JPs met on the second Monday because the first was the day following the New Year holiday weekend.