Commissioners approve financial reports, CSBG carryover and airport encumbrance; AKB sewer funding discussion tabled

The Spalding County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 17 approved several fiscal and administrative items, heard public comments on local development issues and tabled a request for annual funding to support a sewer system along Arthur K. Bolton Boulevard (AKB). The meeting included votes on budget amendments, financial statements for the period ending Jan. 31, CSBG carryover funds and a $201,611.97 encumbrance toward property acquisition for the new regional airport.

Financial update and approvals

Deputy County Manager and Finance Director Erica Dye summarized the county's financial position as of Jan. 31, reporting that seven months (53%) of the fiscal year had passed and that the county's checking and interest-bearing balances totaled about $74.2 million. Dye said general fund revenues were at roughly 78% of budget and that salaries and benefits accounted for 57.7% of expenditures. Commissioners unanimously approved the financial report (5-0).

Community services and airport funding

The board approved an amendment to carry over Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds into FY25; Jeannie Brantley presented the request and commissioners approved the carryover (motion made on the record). Later, the board approved encumbering $201,611.97 from the FY25 budget for property acquisition tied to the new regional airport project. County staff said additional funding will be required in future budgets as the multi-year project proceeds.

Sewer request for AKB corridor tabled

The Spalding County Water and Sewerage Facilities Authority asked the board to consider an annual commitment to support operation and maintenance of a proposed sewer system for the Arthur K. Bolton employment corridor. The authority, county staff and commissioners agreed the AKB sewer is strategically important for attracting industry, but commissioners said they need more detail about timing, total costs and how such funding would compete with other budget priorities. Commissioners voted 5-0 to table the request and asked staff to schedule a workshop (target: March 3) to examine logistics, timing and required funding levels.

Public comments and planning concerns

During the citizen comment period residents raised land-use and development concerns. Greg McKibben asked the county to watch an application for an RV resort on West Ellis and suggested a moratorium on RV campgrounds or stricter siting in commercially zoned corridors; he said neighborhood opponents had successfully asked planning staff to table the item pending further review. Other speakers raised issues about rental housing quality, high-density residential proposals near Sun City and municipal spending priorities.

Other actions and housekeeping

- Commissioners approved prior meeting minutes and FY25 budget amendments for prior-year encumbrances (each item approved by recorded voice vote 5-0). - The board accepted a proclamation recognizing Black History Month.

What the board asked staff to do next

- Schedule a workshop to review AKB sewer costs, phasing and return on investment and to produce options for FY26 budgeting. - Provide follow-up on the airport property acquisition plan and explore mechanisms for recovering prior county investments when the old airport property is disposed of.

The board completed the business and recessed for a short break before continuing additional agenda items later in the evening.