Rincon City Council has voted to renew its contract with Effingham County to continue the use of the County Jail in Springfield to house city prisoners.

The previous agreement ended, necessitating a new contract. The new agreement will be in effect for one year, with an automatic one-year renewal, unless terminated with a 90-day notice.

Under the agreement, transportation of a juvenile under court order for a first appearance will be borne by the county, but transportation to and from the city court will be provided by the city. Prison time is charged to the city at a rate of $30 per day until the prisoner is released or bound over to state or superior court.

Councilman Paul Wendelken questioned the charges, arguing that everyone — in city or county — pays county taxes that support the jail operations. City Attorney, Raymond Dickey reminded council that “it’s about public safety – not money.”

Council members also approved an agreement for intergovernmental police service and assistance between the sheriff’s office and Rincon Police.

While not a new agreement, this marked the first time the understanding had been put in writing.

In other council action, City Manager Mike Phillips asked council members to begin considering plans for this year’s July 4 Parade since the actual day for the 4th would be on a Sunday. He suggested council put a committee together to begin making plans. In the past few years, it had been put together by Gussie Nease with the help of city staff. Even though she will remain involved, she didn’t want to chair the group, saying she wasn’t sure if she would be available this year. Greg Brunson, a local pastor, volunteered to help put the event together. He said he wasn’t sure what it would involve but said he would love to get the experience of working with it.

This year’s parade likely will take place on a Saturday but whether it would be set for July 3 or for the weekend prior would be up to recommendations from the committee. City Planner LaMeisha Hunter said it had been a problem holding the parade on the actual July 4 weekend over the past couple of years as all of the area bands already had other event commitments. Holding it the weekend before July 4 might enable more bands and other units to participate, she said