Commissioners table decision on new ER
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

Whether the county will participate in the funding of a new emergency room (ER) at the Jenkins County Hospital remains to be decided. The Jenkins County Commissioners tabled any action on the matter during the group's Tuesday, May 1, meeting.

Members of the Jenkins County Hospital Authority (JCHA) had previously re- quested that the county agree to contribute $350,000 annually to the hospital to fulfill the terms of a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 30-year $2.9 million loan to the hospital. The funds would be used to construct a new ER. The county currently contributes $275,000-$300,000 annually to the facility.

Chairman James Henry explained that the delay in making a decision was needed in order to allow county attorney Troy Gay sufficient time to review the contract proposed by the JCHA. Mr. Gay advised that he had just received the contract late Friday, April 27, and needed additional time to review the document.

Chairman Henry also suggested that the commissioners contact their accountant and request funding projections for the county for several years to come before making a decision on the matter. Hospital officials had been advised of the county's need for additional time to consider the matter, he said.

The hospital has 180 days to meet the terms of the USDA loan.

Also tabled was any action concerning the recent announcement by the Jenkins County Board of Education that the group would not provide funding for the Jenkins County Memorial Library for fiscal year 2007-2008. Chairman Henry stated that a meeting on the matter was scheduled for May 15 between the BOE, library officials and the commissioners.

Final approval of the Historic Preservation Ordinance was tabled until further information could be obtained.

Commissioner Pam Dwight reported on a Georgia Department of Transportation meeting she attended dealing with the Transportation Enhancement program. Dwight suggested that the county consider applying for a TE grant to compliment TE grants already secured by the City of Millen. She was asked to investigate the matter and make a report at the group's next meeting.

In other matters, a contract was awarded to Dwelle Insurance Company, sole bidder, to provide property/liability insurance for the county.