Jackson County invited citizens to join the one of the monthly Board of Commissioners Meeting on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. This meeting began at 6 p.m. and ended at 6:18 p.m., lasting approximately 20 minutes before being adjourned. A decision was made to adopt the Ashley Wilson Act in Jackson County.

When the new business portion of the meeting began, County Manager Poe introduced the opportunity to adopt a resolution that would allow first responders diagnosed with PTSD to receive supplemental benefits. 

“House Bill 451 which is the Ashley Wilson Act assigned this law in 2024,” Poe said. “This act requires all public entities in Georgia to offer a supplemental benefit program for eligible first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.”

This item passed unanimously with a vote of 5-0, all commissioners voting in favor. Jackson County will contribute an annual amount of $47,815 in order to participate in this program. 

Ashley Wilson, a sergeant with Gwinnett County Police Department, championed this act as a survivor of PTSD herself after watching her partner die in the field on Oct. 20, 2018. 

“It wasn’t so easy to just pick up and go be that same police officer I was on Oct. 19,” Wilson said to the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs.  

Wilson’s story caused her to push for an act to provide benefits to first responders with PTSD. Claims may be submitted beginning Jan. 1, 2025, and Jackson County will now be one of the counties participating in this act. 

All five commissioners were present at this meeting, but Chairman Tom Crow was not present. 

County Manager Kevin Poe was also present at this meeting, presenting agenda items on the right side of the Jury Assembly Room. 

Along with the commissioners and county manager, Deputy Clerk Ericka Johnson was present, but did not make any comments. 

When given the floor to speak, no Jackson County citizens voiced comments or concerns. Less than five residents were present at the Dec. 2 meeting.