The Jenkins County Commissioners are considering the lease of these ball fields, located Norfolk Southern property, for use by the Jenkins County Recreation Department (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett) The Jenkins County Recreation Department has asked the county to lease the ball fields just across the railroad tracks on the west end of Cotton Avenue. The request was brought before the Jenkins County Commissioners by Chairman James Henry during the group's Aug. 18 meeting.

Chairman Henry explained that the property is owned by Norfolk Southern Railroad and has been leased by the City of Millen in previous years for recreation department use. However, the city will not continue to lease the property.

After some discussion of the matter, it was agreed that Chairman Henry would gather the necessary information and bring the matter back before the board for a decision at a later date.

Jenkins County Sheriff Robert Oglesby addressed the commissioners on several topics that included: cutting of the grass along state highways that run through the county, suggestions on how to keep the local Cavalier Home Builders plant open; needed repairs to Sheriff's Department cars, the purchase of a Chevrolet SUV for his department, grant applications; and Sheriff's Department employee salaries.

Chairman Henry discussed the county's audit report, pointing out that the audit calls attention to the fact that the county does not have an inventory program. It was noted that some departments had overspent their budget, and the commissioners agreed to impress upon departments the importance of controlling their fiscal year budgets in the coming year.

Other actions taken by the commissioners included the following:

• Authorized the field director to have the courthouse alarm system checked and certified;

• Instructed county administrator to request that insurance agent Michael Jackson attend the group's Sept. 1 meeting to discuss increased cost of health insurance and to bring additional plans for consideration;

• Agreed to a request from the Jenkins County Hospital Authority to issue an early payment of $100,000 to the hospital; and

• Discussed possible changes to the county's hiring/firing procedures based upon Commissioner Domingo Green's observations at a previous meeting.