Plans to replace bridges delayed
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

Replacement of the bridges over the Ogeechee River at Herndon and Scull Creek Bridge on East Old Savannah Road may not occur for several years. The Jenkins County Commissioners learned during their Tuesday, July 1, meeting that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has scheduled the Herndon bridges for replacement in 2011 and Scull Creek Bridge in 2012.

The commissioners adopted a resolution requesting that the DOT move forward plans for the replacement of the Herndon bridges due to the fact that the pilings are unsafe, the bridges have a three ton limit and school buses cannot use the bridges.

It was also noted that trucks owned by the construction company hauling dirt to U.S. Highway 25 for the Savannah River Parkway project was causing East Old Savannah Road to become badly deteriorated. It was recommended that a letter be written to the Swainsboro and Tennille DOT offices as well as the construction company concerning the matter and repair needs.

Field Director Grady Lane reported that FEMA estimated total costs to remove debris and repair damages incurred by the county from the Mother's Day storms to be $34,124.91 with the reimbursement rate to the county being 75 percent.

Lane reported on work at the county landfill, stating that the cleanup of a contaminated pond was progressing. It was estimated that 20 loads of 1,000 gallons of water must be removed from the pond as well as sediment on the bottom of the pond.

Other actions taken by the commissioners included the following:

• Approved a motion to maintain the current local hotel/motel tax of five percent;

• Approved the purchased of an ad in the Jenkins County Athletic Booster Club's fall sports program in the amount of $125;

• Adopted a resolution to review a re-organizational plan that would combine the duties of the Magistrate Court Constable with a Code Enforcement Officer;

• Agreed to write a letter to county department heads asking them to be conservative in their fuel use in order to reduce the expense;

• Approved the purchase of a recorder for the E911 system at a cost of $17,579.70 and to contact local banks in September concerning financing the purchase and other equipment for the E911 system;

• Delayed the purchase of a truck for the Jenkins County Sheriff's Department for the present time but to reconsider the expenditure when the new fiscal year's budget is finalized;

• Approved the out-of-town meal rate at the state rate or $45 per diem, whichever is less; and

• Approved the current charge for ambulance service at the present rates.