Commissioners review ordinance
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

The possible adoption of a Historical Preservation Ordinance for Jenkins County received mixed reactions among members of the Jenkins County Commissioners when they met Tuesday, April 3.

The group had previously been asked to consider the matter by the Historical Preservation Commission recently established by the City of Millen with the commission expressing a desire to include the county in their efforts.

During discussion of the matter, the pros and cons were noted with the commissioners being divided on their support of the issue, and the possibility of penalties for violators and enforcement of the ordinance was raised by county attorney Troy Gay.

The matter was tabled until additional information could be obtained.

Commissioners reviewed a letter from the Jenkins County Board of Education (BOE) informing the county of its decision to withdraw BOE funding of the Jenkins County Memorial Library effective July 1. The reasons cited for the decision were noted as unfunded mandates from the state as well as a 65 percent rule requiring that percentage must be spend on direct instruction. The BOE contributed $19,629 to the county's budget in FY 07

Commissioner Tommy Lane made a motion that the county should impose a 2.5 percent collection fee, as allowed by law, for collection of taxes for the BOE. The motion died for lack of a second.

A motion authorizing chairman James Henry to meet and discuss the matter with the BOE was approved 4-1 with Lane casting the opposing vote.

The third reading of the proposed Nuisance Ordinance was postponed so a public hearing could be held on the matter. The hearing was set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, in the commissioners' conference room on the third floor of the Jenkins County Courthouse.

The county budget was reviewed with it being noted that most county departments were operating within their budgetary guidelines. It was also noted that 94 percent of county property taxes had been collected.

Mayor King Rocker met with the group to offer information on the 911 system. Attention was called to the fact that the $1 surcharge for 911 services on cellular telephones were not being received by the county and that the 911 equipment was outdated and must soon be replaced.

In other matters, the bylaws of the Airport Advisory Committee were approved and discussion of private/public roads was tabled until such time as a list of public/private roads could be obtained.