Athens City Council approves 10-year, $3.9 million commitment to Athens State for Carter Hall; 3-2 vote

The Athens City Council approved an appropriation to Athens State University on June 23, 2025, committing $389,560 a year for 10 years to help pay debt service for the Carter Hall renovation. The measure passed 3-2.

Council President Lucas called for the resolution as an added item; the document authorizes an annual commitment of $389,560 for a period of 10 years to Athens State University to be used toward debt service issued in connection with the renovation of Carter Hall. The resolution says the total $3,895,600 will be paid from the city’s contingent fund beginning with the fiscal year starting Oct. 1, 2025, and ending with the fiscal year starting Oct. 1, 2034.

The council first voted to suspend the rules to consider the item; that suspension carried unanimously. On the final roll call for the appropriation, Councilman Wailes, Councilman Seibert and Councilwoman Henry voted in favor; Councilman Harper and Council President Lucas voted no, producing a 3-2 result.

Councilman Harper explained his no vote on the record, saying the city faces “too many big money projects” in the near future. Council President Lucas also recorded a no vote. The resolution language authorizes the mayor or city clerk to release funds at his or her discretion and specifies the funds will come from the city’s contingent fund.

The action is an appropriation commitment, not a bond issuance by the city; the city’s role, per the resolution text, is to make annual payments from contingent funds toward debt service that Athens State will incur for the Carter Hall renovation. The resolution does not specify conditions for withholding funds beyond the mayor or city clerk’s discretion, nor does it include any additional oversight or reporting requirements in the text read into the record.

No further motions or follow-up assignments were recorded during the discussion; the meeting moved on after the vote.