Public Facilities Consider Recreation

The Jasper County Public Facilities Authority (PFA), currently comprised of Chairman Don Jernigan, James Thiele, Howard Fore, Bill Nash, and David McKenna, convened last Tuesday to discuss where the authority could be going with funding its next major project—a multimillion dollar Jasper County Recreation Facility.

County Manager Mike Benton led the discussion of the possible project by reviewing the revenue streams that will contribute to covering the bond funds for the project. Most of that revenue would come from the funds generated by the county’s participation in the four county Joint Development Authority. Jasper, along with Newton, Morgan, and Walton, agreed to enter into a partnership that would develop a mass mixed used development park in which each county would receive proceeds once viable.

Now viable, the development known as Stanton Springs has several major tenants including Takeda, Georgia’s BioScience Training Center, and Meta’s Newton Data Center Development. Jasper receives 10 percent of the project’s proceeds of which 60 percent is allocated to the county.

The PFA issued the bonds that provided for the renovation of the Jasper County jail that was recently completed. When the authority formed a few years ago, the renovation of the jail and the creation of a county recreational facility were the two main projects. With the jail completed, the authority can now turn its attentions to a recreational facility, if it be the pleasure of the commissioners.

Mr. Benton reviewed with the members the plans from a 2022 rendering compiled by the same architectural firm that created the jail plans.

The 2022 figures had the multiuse recreation facility priced at $14 million with no purchase of land needed. The county manager reiterated that figure was from two years ago and that an increase in price was more than likely now. He also stated that the county currently had $3 million in funds and could estimate $6 million in future funds from the Stanton Springs project. to fund the recreation facility.

Secretary Nash noted that any such bid on the project, if desired by the commission, was at least 18 months away..

Mr. Jernigan, who will leave the county commission and the PFA in January 2025, said the authority is at the mercy of the board of commissioners in relation to the project.

In other business, the members tabled electing new officers as Mr. Jernigan will be leaving the authority and a new member will join.

Authority members did set their quarterly meeting dates for 2025 to include January 21, April 15, July 15, and October 14. The authority meets at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners Meeting Room at the Courthouse.