A local pageant winner is getting some extra recognition from motorists entering and leaving Henry County.

The Board of Commissioners voted at its April 6 regular meeting to authorize the installation of a road marker on Airline Road at Oglesby Bridge Road, near the Rockdale County line, in recognition of Gabrielle Brown, who last November was crowned Junior National Miss Forestry Queen. She is currently an honor student at Union Grove Middle School.

Upon authorization from the commissioners, the Georgia Forestry Pageant and Educational Association will pay for the sign to be installed. The Georgia Forestry Pageant is the oldest in the state, dating back to the 1940s.

In other business, a contract to update the Henry County Comprehensive Transportation Plan and develop a trails master plan was approved. The board chose Pond and Company to do the work with a budget of $625,000.

The Atlanta Regional Commission is slated to provide $500,000 of that cost, with the remaining money coming from the Henry County Department of Transportation Planning, which allocated $125,000 in its FY 2021 budget to fund the project. According to officials, the county’s four cities have been invited to participate in this planning process and share the cost of the required local match based on each city’s share of the county population.

The board approved several resolutions related to the county’s fire department. A contract was awarded to T&T Uniforms South of Jonesboro for a $5,114.45 purchase of uniforms. Three donations were accepted for the funding of the department’s EMS Week: $500 from the law firm of Smith, Welch, Webb and White; $2,000 from David Rogers; and $2,500 from C&C Sales and Training Faithful Guardian Southside. Also accepted was a $500 donation from Janice Barrett in honor of Jerry Durant for Fire Station No. 12 and its members.

Several park improvements were approved, including a $111,892 bid for the renovation of the existing concession/restroom building at North Ola Park and a separate $73,352 bid for design services for North Ola Park sidewalks and road widening. The board also gave the go-ahead for the purchase of fencing for Avalon Park using $31,000 in capital funds. According to officials, the fencing used when the park was built was made for residential use and is currently in disrepair. The new fencing will be commercial grade to withstand the wear and tear of public usage.

The county’s employee benefit and medical insurance plans for 2021-2022 were adopted. County staff indicated that renewal quotes received from Cigna and Kaiser reflected an increase of more than 5 percent, adding up to $1.4 million for Cigna and $162,000 for Kaiser. Renewal of both providers was recommended to maintain continuity and consistency with employees, 1,200 of whom are currently insured by Cigna and 298 who are with Kaiser.

The commissioners voted to authorize raises for members of the Board of Assessors as well as the Board of Elections and Registration. A staff review of compensation was ordered by the commissioners after a February vote to increase the pay for members of the Henry County Development Authority, and that study included comparisons to other local authorities and entities providing equivalent services.