Commissioners approve fire protection contracts
By Deborah Bennett

A debate among the Jenkins County Commissioners over proposed fire protection contracts with local volunteer fire departments concluded last week when the group reached an agreement during the Tuesday, Dec. 5, meeting.

The commissioners approved a contract with North Jenkins County Volunteer Fire Department (NJCVFD) which included a monetary contribution of $7,800 to the department. NJCVFD had previously requested that the county contrib- ute the money to assist with providing matching fund requirements of a federal Homeland Security Grant. The department was awarded the grant for the purchase of a tanker truck that will be available for use countywide.

Also approved was a similar contract, minus the monetary contribution, with South Jenkins Volunteer Fire Department.

The contracts must be renewed annually and can be amended, if needed, at that time.

A discussion concerning which businesses operating within the county should be required to purchase

business licenses resulted in no change from the present policy. Most of the discussion focused on whether or not someone who operates a “sideline” business such as lawn maintenance should be treated the same as someone who is in the occupation full time.

When it was suggested that some occupations might be exempted, commissioner Floyd Chance commented, “Charge everyone or don’t charge anyone.”

Commissioner J.C. Douglas indicated that he was in favor of using the passive/active approach

as outlined by the Internal Revenue Service tax code and made a motion to this effect. After additional discussion, however, his motion was superseded by another motion to leave the matter “as is.” This motion was approved 3-2 with commissioners Douglas and Chance casting the opposing votes.

In other business, Cecil Joyner asked that the county consider maintaining Johnson Road at Herndon. Joyner pointed out that the road had been maintained by the county in previous years and questioned why it was now considered to be “private.”

The commissioners agreed to give Joyner’s request consideration and then advise him of their decision.

The commissioners approved a motion to advertise a position on the Jenkins County Department of Family and Children Services board of directors. Anyone interested in the position should contact the commissioners’ office and let their desire be known.

Other actions taken by the commissioners included the following:

 Approved a motion asking that the Airport Advisory Committee

nominate for the commissioners’ consideration, a committee member to serve as Airport Manager;

 Approved the rewriting of a Senior Citizen recreation grant;

 Accepted the resignation of the Chief Deputy Registrar, noting that another county employee has accepted the position;

 Approved the tuition and attendance of Chairman James Henry at an economic development workshop; and

 Approved Christmas bonuses of $100 for full time employees and $50 for part time employees.