County approves 2007-2008 budget
Tax increase not likely
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

A $4.6 million budget was approved by the Jenkins County Commissioners during the Tuesday, July 17, meeting of the group with no anticipated tax increase. The millage rate will be set at a later date.

Included in the budget are funds for employee raises, road improvements, employment of additional personnel and equipment upgrades for the Jenkins County Sheriff's Department and Jenkins County Ambulance Service and $300,000 for the Jenkins County Hospital Authority.

Following a public hearing on the matter, a Historic Preservation

Ordinance was approved

with no opposition being expressed. The commissioners

were asked to consider adopting the ordinance by members of the Historical Preservation Commission appointed by the City of Millen who expressed a desire to include the county in their efforts. Additional members will be appointed to represent the county.

Representatives from the Central Savannah River Area E.O.A. were present to express their interest in renting the county building formerly occupied by the Ogeechee Behavioral Mental Health Clinic for the local Head Start program. The request was tentatively approved, pending contract negotiations.

Grady Lane, field director, informed the commissioners of needed repairs to a county motor grader. Estimated cost of repairs was $30,000. He was instructed to obtain definite repair costs and costs for the purchase of a used or new motor grader and report back to the group.

Tommy Tanner was the successful low bidder on painting the interior of the Jenkins County Senior Citizen Center and Jenco with combined bids of $3,000. Materials are to be supplied by the county.

Requests for improvements at the Jenkins County Ambulance Service mobile unit were considered with the commis- sioners to visit the facility prior to making a decision on the matter.

The placement of an advertisement in the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia magazine was approved in the amount of $489.

By common consent, the commissioners agreed to consider offers for providing health insurance for county employees with dates to be set for insurance providers to present their plans.