County budget reveals no property tax increase
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

For the third consecutive year local property owners will not face a tax increase from the county. During a public hearing held Tuesday, July 10, for the purpose of discussing the 2007-2008 proposed budget, the Jenkins County Commissioners noted that the county has made significant progress in managing its finances, having reduced a long term debt of $627,679 in fiscal year 2004-2005 to a $0 balance in fiscal year 2007-2008.

"We feel good about what is going on with our budgeting process," commented chairman James Henry as he offered words of gratitude to all of the commissioners, county employees, department heads and elected officials for their cooperative efforts in developing and maintaining a balanced budget.

The proposed 2007-2008 budget of $4,671,863 is approximately $500,000 less than the previous year's $5,128,092 appropriated budget. This is due to the fact that a federal grant for improvements at the Jenkins County Airport in the amount of $631,579 was included in the previous year's budget. Most of that work has now been completed.

Included in the new budget is $160,000 for road projects. Chairman Henry explained that the funds would be used as "seed" money for seeking state grants for resurfacing of county roads and needed bridge repairs. The county is usually required to contribute 30%- 40% of the contract price to such projects.

"This is something that we have not been able to do in the past," he commented.

The Jenkins County Sheriff's Department and Jenkins County Ambulance Service will see an increase in their budgets to allow for the employment of additional personnel and equipment upgrades, and Jenkins County Hospital Authority will receive $300,000 as agreed upon to assist with the construction of a new emergency room at the facility.

Also included in the budget is a salary increase for county employees.

The commissioners praised local citizens for their efforts in helping to keep dumpster areas throughout the county cleaned up and asked for their continued support with the task, noting that it was very costly to maintain the areas.

"We have tried to be very careful with the budget," chairman Henry said.