Commission To Create Authority
The Jasper County Commissioners last Thursday voted to authorize County Attorney David Ozburn to work with legislative attorneys to take the first steps to create a Public Facilities Authority which would require an act of the Legislature.
The authority would be able to bind the county for longer periods of time than the Board of Commissioners can, and therefore, the county can get started on the projects it is currently collecting Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds for. Those projects include a new multi-purpose building at the recreation department, an expanded sheriff’s office, a shop for public works, and possibly other projects. Those are the three main projects in the works, and nothing is happening.
By going ahead and starting on them, not only do the citizens reap the benefit of the facilities, but the cost is lower than it would be by waiting until all the SPLOST funds are collected.
The commissioners did not discuss who would sit on the board or how those persons would be selected. Mr. Ozburn explained meeting with the legislative council is the first step.
The board presumably will vote to authorize the county attorney to request the state legislators—Rep. Susan Holmes and Sen. Burt Jones—to introduce the legislation at its January 6 meeting.
Mr. Ozburn explained that the commission can’t bind the county more than a year, and it’s hard with capital projects. An intergovernmental agreement between the commission and this new authority can be for up to 50 years, and provides flexibility for long term planning and budgeting.
The commission also agreed to sign a resolution authorizing the Development Authority of Jasper County (DAJC) Executive Director David Dyer to negotiate with Georgia-Pacific for purchase of the old Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF) plant. Mr. Dyer has a prospect interested in locating a business at the property.
During commissioners’ comments, Commissioner Bruce Henry brought attention to a couple of paving issues, and asked for the commission to be informed of when board appointments are coming up. The commissioners now get a Human Resources report quarterly, and he wants upcoming board appointments to be reviewed at least that often.
