The Habersham County Commission will hold a work session Monday prior to its regular meeting. It will discuss the request for proposals (RFP) for the privatization of the gymnastics program and financing options for the animal shelter.
Both items are also on the commission’s regular meeting agenda for it to consider moving forward with privatization of the program and financing the construction of the animal shelter.
A handful of citizens have requested that the gymnastics program that is currently run by the county’s Rec Department be privatized in an effort to cut costs to taxpayers. Fees collected for the program are not enough to cover the cost and must be subsidized by taxpayers. However, many support the program and want it to remain a public service through the county’s Rec. Department.
SEE RELATED: Gymnastics supporters fill commission meeting
Animal shelter financing
The commission will discuss financing the construction of the SPLOST approved animal shelter project. The project cost has been a source of contention for some in the community with many supporters in the community wanting to see it built now rather than later.
Estimated construction costs have soared over the last four years for the project that was originally budgeted for $1.75 million. Commissioners have admitted that the original amount budgeted for the project was grossly inadequate. Now the commission will consider how to fund the project that is estimated to cost more than $7.5 million after value engineering reductions.
SEE RELATED: HabCo Commission meets Nov. 6 to discuss animal shelter
Two options have been presented to fund the animal shelter project. One financing option is where the county could borrow the money as a lease/purchase option. The county did the same financing for the Administration Building. The county would repay the money as a certificate of participation. This option will cost more due to having a higher interest rate.
SEE ALSO: Habersham officials accused of attempting ‘end run’ around county taxpayers
Industrial Development Authority
The other financing option is reactivating an industrial development authority. This authority could give the county the flexibility to fund other projects by issuing bonds. During a recent commission meeting, Commissioner Jimmy Tench asked if this authority was similar to a Public Facilities Authority? County Attorney Donnie Hunt responded that it was similar. The interest rate for the bonds is lower than the interest rate for certificates of participation.
Neither financing option requires a voter referendum and can be approved by the county commission.
The Habersham County Commission will meet for a work session at 5 p.m. and its regular commission meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, November 18. Both meetings will be held in the Jury Assembly Room in the Habersham County Courthouse located at 295 Llewellyn Street in Clarkesville.
