Progress has been made

The Jenkins County Commissioners have worked diligently over the past several years to reduce the county's long-term debt and to operate within the finances available to the county. Their efforts have been successful.

The $600,000 debt of several years ago has now been paid off, and the county is operating within its budgetary guidelines without having to borrow money or raise taxes for the past three years. The task was accomplished through the determination of the commissioners and the cooperation of elected officials, county department heads and county employees. It was a cooperative effort and no small accomplishment.

Many unpopular decisions and strategies were utilized in the quest for financial solvency, including hours of line-by-line budget reviews and budgetary cuts. It was a painful process and an accomplishment that should not go unnoticed and unappreciated by our local citizens.

There are still unsolved problems and issues facing the county, but the commissioners have set the "train on the tracks" again. Hopefully, it will continue to run in the right direction.

We encourage the commissioners to remain vigilant in their efforts and extend our appreciation for the job they, along with elected officials, department heads and employees, have done in getting the county's finances under control.