From a balanced budget and a new comprehensive plan to pickleball courts, regional leadership, and a key retirement, Commissioner Jenna Mashburn’s March update reflects a county with its eyes on the future.

By Ella McGalliard

---

Pulaski County Sole Commissioner Jenna Mashburn is hitting the ground running in 2026. With a balanced budget on track, a comprehensive plan underway, new pickleball courts coming to the recreation department, and a newly earned seat as chairwoman of the Middle Georgia Regional Commission Council, Mashburn says the county has plenty to look forward to in the months ahead.

Property Tax Write-Off Approved

Commissioner Mashburn signed Resolution 2026-4, approving the write-off of certain property taxes at the request of the Tax Commissioner. The resolution authorizes the removal of select tax accounts from the county’s books — a process that requires formal commissioner approval under Georgia law. Specific details on the affected accounts were not disclosed in the meeting minutes. Residents seeking more information are encouraged to reach out to the Commissioner’s office directly.

Chief Deputy Mayor Marvin Giddens Earns New Appointments

Chief Deputy Mayor Marvin Giddens has taken on additional responsibilities in recent weeks. The Georgia Department of Human Services has appointed Giddens to serve a four-year term on their advisory board, beginning March 1, 2026. He has also recently assumed the Chief Deputy position.

FY 2025-2026 Budget On Track Heading Into Second Quarter

Commissioner Mashburn reported that the county’s fiscal year 2025-2026 budget is on track as it heads into the second quarter. She credited county departments for the steady performance, noting that budget management is largely left to individual departments — and that they have been doing well with staying on course.

2026 Comprehensive Plan Kicks Off

Pulaski County has launched its 2026 Comprehensive Plan — a community planning document that is updated every five years. The kickoff meeting was held on a Monday night at City Hall as an update session, with the Middle Georgia Regional Commission leading the effort.

Commissioner Mashburn emphasized the real-world value of the plan, both for shaping the county’s future and for unlocking funding. “It’s good to have an idea and picture of the future,” she said. “If we want to go after some grant funding, we have the opportunity to get a program started in our community.”

She gave a concrete example: the county’s interest in adding more fire substations to reduce response times. “This will reduce the drive time between a truck and a potential fire or disaster,” Mashburn said. Having such goals written into the comprehensive plan, she explained, directly strengthens the county’s chances of securing outside dollars.

“We’re not just going after this money because it’s there. We’ve been going after it because we had planned for this, and this would fit… So, it really helps improve our odds of receiving grant funding or directed funding if it’s written into your comprehensive plan that’s a goal that you have for your community.”

Recreation Department Updates

After 30 years leading the Hawkinsville-Pulaski County Recreation Department, Director Kenny White is set to retire in July 2026. Under his leadership, the department has run programming every year in basketball, football, soccer, softball, and baseball. White spoke at the Hawkinsville Rotary Club on March 11th; no further details regarding his remarks were available.

A new office manager is currently in training and is expected to step into a leadership role upon White’s retirement.

The recreation department is also set to begin construction on six new pickleball courts. The courts will be built on the site where the mini-golf course used to be located. No completion timeline has been announced.

Commissioner Mashburn Takes the Gavel at Middle Georgia Regional Commission

Commissioner Mashburn recently assumed the chairmanship of the Middle Georgia Regional Commission Council. “I was officially passed the gavel in January. I hosted my first meeting in February and will have my second meeting Thursday the 12th at 5:30,” she said. Meetings are held at the old Macon Mall, located at 3661 Eisenhower Parkway, Macon.

The Middle Georgia Regional Commission comprises 11 central Georgia counties and plays a broad role in supporting member communities. “They help us with all aspects of the community like grant writing, directing transit for a lot of the communities, and they manage our Senior Center,” Mashburn said.