Newspaper Page Text
VOL. 116 NO. 52 Millen, Ga. 30442 LEGAL ORGAN OF JENKINS COUNTY SINCE 1903 Wednesday, June 28, 2023 • 750
BOE approves new budget
DEBORAH BENNETT
Millen News Editor
The Jenkins County Board of Edu
cation (BOE) held a public hearing
Monday, June 26th, for the purpose of
approving the 2023-2024 budget and
allowing public input. The hearing
was held prior to the regular meeting.
During the budget presentation,
Superintendent Tara Cooper called
attention to the fact that the BOE has
rolled back its millage rate for the
past seven years. The current rate is
14.875 mills.
“The millage rate is set by the
governing bodies of each county -
the county commissioners, the city
council and the BOE. A tax rate of
one mill represents a tax liability of
$1 per $1,000 of assessed property
value. I just want to make that clear,”
she explained.
“Boards of education must maintain
a millage rate of at least 14 mills to
prevent loss of their state equaliza
tion grant funding. We received about
$700,000 this year. We don’t want
to lose that. So, we don’t want to go
below 14 mills. But, we do have room
there to keep rolling back the millage
rate to meet our budget,” Cooper said.
“The millage rate will not be de
termined until the Tax Digest for the
county is released, which usually
occurs sometime in September,” she
added.
Estimated revenue for FY 2023-
2024 is predicted to be $4 million
with expenditures at $3 million. The
2023-2024 budget was approved.
During the regular meeting of the
BOE, Cooper discussed a survey
which was presented to parents of stu
dents enrolled in the school system.
Responses were overall positive with
two suggestions for improvement.
“They want more parent involve
ment and more/better communication
with teachers through emails and
calls,” Cooper said. ‘I think we can
do that.”
A project to improve the parking
area near the school’s tennis courts
was discussed. It was noted that traffic
will be redirected to offer one way in
and one way out and that 53 additional
parking spaces will be provided. The
project is expected to be completed
before students return to school in
August.
A bid of $147,000 from TQ Con
struction of Metter was approved for
the project.
Also approved was a bid from Geor
gia Education Workers' Compensation
Trust to provide liability workman’s
compensation insurance. The bid of
$40,877 for worker’s compensation
and $82,517 for property will save the
school system $7,000 in premiums.
Retiring School Superintendent Tara Cooper, right, was honored
June 22nd with a retirement party in the cafeteria of the school
lunchroom. Under her leadership, many school projects were com
pleted and improvements implemented.These included securing a
grant for construction of the new school complex and improve
ments in the graduation rate of students. Mary Young, left,
Chairman of the Jenkins County Board of Education, extended con
gratulations for Cooper’s many accomplishments.
Robin Scott is shown in front of his property at the intersection of North
Avenue and Old Waynesboro Road, which was flooded Thursday, June 22,
due to heavy rainfall. The water did not get inside his home.
Heavy rainfall creates
floodin g issues in city
DEBORAH BENNETT
Millen News Editor
Heavy rainfall throughout the day
Thursday, June 22 and into the night
led to flooding in several areas of the
City of Millen.
Wanda Williams, who lives on
North Avenue, said she was awakened
by the whimpering of her dogs outside
in her yard.
“When I got out of bed and put my
feet on the floor in my house, I was
standing in water,” Williams said.
Williams went outside and discov
ered her yard underwater, the dogs
standing in chest high water and her
cats trying to swim to safety. She said
she called 911.
“I just wanted to know if it was safe
to go back into the house with all the
electrical wall outlets in the house
being under water. We were outside
since 2 a.m.,” Williams said.
Williams’ home and property were
again flooded on Friday, June 23, as
another storm passed over the city
and county.
Nearby, at the intersection of North
Avenue and Old Waynesboro Road,
City Councilman Robin Scott was
also dealing with his yard being
flooded. The water did not get into the
house, but he suspects there may be
some damage at the back of the home.
Pointing to a tire floating at the edge
of the property, Scott said, “That tire
was beside a car in the backyard of my
house. It has floated
that far.”
Scott believes that
a contributing factor
SEE
FLOODING,
8
Fire Departments battle blazes
Man injured in June 15th fire
Tracy Tarver was injured and treat
ed on the scene by Jenkins County
Emergency Medical Services when
his home at 824 Belt Avenue caught
fire June 15th.
Millen Fire Department and North
Jenkins Volunteer firefighters re
sponded to the call and upon arrival
found heavy smoke coming from the
eaves of the home. Entry was made
through the front door and the fire
discovered in the kitchen of the home.
Mr. Tarver was trapped in the
bathroom from the heat and smoke,
but was able to break out a small
window and escape the fire. He told
firefighters that he was cooking and
went to take a shower, forgetting that
the stove was on.
House on Kingston Court destroyed
June 25th
The home of Harry and Judy Joyner
at 732 Kingston Court sustained
substantial damage by a fire Sunday,
June 25th.
Occupants of the house said they
smelled smoke and went to investi
gate. The smoke was discovered to
be coming from the outside porch.
Mr. Joyner attempted to extinguish
the fire with a garden hose, but it
continued to spread from the porch
to the living area.
Upon arrival on the scene, Millen
Fire Department and North Jenkins
Volunteer Fire Department firefight
ers encountered heavy smoke while
working to extinguish the blaze.
Firefighters are shown battling a house fire at 732 Kingston Court Sunday,
June 25th. The blaze generated heavy smoke and the home incurred sub
stantial damage.