JacksonHeraldTODAY

Darrell Hampton resigned as Jackson County manager Monday night with March 15 to be his last day.

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners accepted Hampton’s resignation following a 15-minute closed session to discuss “personnel.” There was no discussion on the matter when the meeting was opened to the public.

Commissioner Tom Crow voted against the motion to accept Hampton’s resignation, while the other commissioners voted to accept the resignation.

Hampton will receive six month’s separation pay, as is outlined in his contract.

Leonard Myers, who has twice before served two times as interim county manager, will again fill the position in Jackson County while a replacement is found for Hampton.

Jackson County has received a $400,000 grant for interior work on the restoration of the historic courthouse in Jefferson.

The board of commissioners discussed the department of transportation grant at a meeting Monday night in Jefferson. The BOC will take action at its Feb. 21 meeting to accept the grant from the DOT. [Full Story »] 

A shortfall of $4 million in the proposed 2011 budget has led Jackson County officials to cut 17 positions, as well as implement 12 furlough days for county employees next year. The proposed 2011 budget also does not include a raise for county employees.

County manager Darrell Hampton, who noted that this budget process has been the most difficult in his many years in government, notified the 17 employees on Friday that their positions had been eliminated as part of a “reduction in force.” One full-time position was also changed to part-time.

The proposed $35.7 million budget for 2011 is up $610,266 over the current budget. Plans do not call for a millage rate increase.

A public hearing on the proposed budget and millage rate is on the agenda for the Jackson County Board of Commissioners meeting to be held at 6 p.m. Monday at the courthouse.

The budget deficit is due to the county tax digest being down five percent, the slowing economy and the county’s $8 million in debt payment.

In 2011, a hiring freeze will be in place with positions that become vacant not being filled. The 21 vacant positions that the county already has will not be filled.

The 17 positions that were eliminated will save the county $875,456. The positions were cut from the following departments: clerk of courts, code compliance, correctional institute, county manager’s office, EMS, finance, fleet maintenance, information technology, Keep Jackson County Beautiful, parks and recreation, probate court, project management, protective inspection, purchasing, road department and tax commissioner’s office.

In addition to the cuts that have been made in the 2011 budget, the county will also have to cut into the reserve fund for $1.6 million.

Judge Jerry Gray and state solicitor Don Moore believe the Jackson County State Court system needs to move to full-time but county staff is recommending that it continue to operate as a part-time court.

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners heard a recommendation from county manager Darrell Hampton Monday night that the court remain part-time. Gray and Moore also spoke and said the court needs to be full time. The BOC will vote on the issue when it meets at 6 p.m. Monday at the courthouse. [Full Story »]