The Habersham County Commission will consider financing options for the new animal shelter during its regular commission meeting on Monday, March 17.
The commission has received several presentations over the last several months to finance the new shelter. It was originally planned to be built out of SPLOST VII funding to the tune of $1.75 million. However, since that original plan, design changes, construction costs, and inflation have caused the cost to rise to nearly $7 million over the last 5 years.
The county issued a request for proposals (RFP) for financing the new shelter with specific guidelines for financial institutions to follow for the commission to consider. The guidelines in the RFP established that the loan be for 10 years and must have a provision in the agreement that the loan could be paid off early.
Seven financial institutions bid on the RFP with PNC Bank being the lowest bidder. Staff have recommended that the commission approve the loan not to exceed $6,850,000 at an interest rate of 3.64%. The total cost for the loan over 10 years would be $8,357,961.
Prior to taking action on the finance option, the commission will hold a public hearing regarding the financing of the acquisition, construction and installation of the new animal control facility for Habersham County through a tax-exempt installment sale agreement.
Other business
The county commission will consider approving a memorandum of understanding with Hall, White, and Banks counties for the creation of a radio talk group for first responders. According to staff, joint emergency responses between the counties have been difficult. Each county has a different radio system and communications on the ground between each county’s first responders is almost nonexistent.
The goal with the agreement is to make communications between each county’s first responders possible in a needed event. Habersham County has the equipment to create the shared talk group and audio patch on the new radio system.
There will be three separate agreements with each county for the commission to consider.
Road maintenance request
In October 2024, staff received a request from the property owners of Fairview Meadows Subdivision requesting the Board of Commissioners accept Fairview Meadows Subdivision into the system for road maintenance.
Fairview Meadows Subdivision plat was approved by the Planning Commission on April 15, 2020. The S/D is located off Fairview School Road, and the total road mileage is 0.35 miles. There are 19 lots in the subdivision, 11 lots are developed and 8 lots are vacant.
The roads overall are in good condition with minor cracking. The roadway appears to be built to current construction standards with a platted 60 foot right-of-way.
The owners have agreed to sign quit claim deeds and right of way for transfer of ownership if approved by the Board of Commissioners.
The Habersham County Commission will hold its regular meeting on Monday, March 17, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Jury Assembly Room in the Habersham County Courthouse at 295 Llewellyn Street in Clarkesville.
