The position of Jenkins County Tax Appraiser, left vacant by the death of Don Rich, has been filled.

The Jenkins County Commissioners approved the employment of Lee Wilson during the Feb. 17 meeting of the group. Wilson was previously employed for 17 years by M.I. Windows and Doors where he served as Director of Human Resources. He will also serve on the Jenkins County Board of Tax Assessors.

In other action, Jenkins County Sheriff Robert Oglesby reported that he had applied for a JAG grant which would allow him to purchase needed equipment for his department. He noted that traffic fines were low for the month of December due to the fact that court was not conducted as often as previously. He also called attention to the fact that citizens can now pay for a traffic violation online.

Sheriff Oglesby presented two checks to the commissioners to support the department’s budget. A check for $1,372.72 was presented from the “prisoner fund account”, and a check for $8,627.28 was presented from the “special account.”

The matter of large trucks using county roads illegally to travel through the county was discussed. It was suggested that signs should be placed along county roads to stop “through traffic” by large trucks and that this action should be advertised in the newspaper.

Field Director Grady Lane reported that Lane Road, Boone Road and Harriett Miller roads all needed to be rebuilt. He also noted the need for repairs to a motor grader. The estimated cost was $10,000 with the commissioners agreeing to the repairs.

Other actions taken by the commissioners included the following:

• Awarded $665 to the Georgia State Patrol for the purpose of tinting patrol vehicles that operate in Jenkins County to satisfy security rules;

• Approved the adoption of Rockbranch Road into the Jenkins County public road system, upon request of local citizens and pending completion of paperwork;

• Approved advertising to receive bids on Phase II of the Jenkins County Courthouse renovation project; and

• Tabled action on reroofing of Jenkins County Senior Citizen Center until budget time in July.