Fulton County Council approves up to $3,000 to inspect former medical clinic offered free to county

Fulton County Council members on Dec. 9 voted 4–1 to authorize up to $3,000 to hire a certified building inspector to evaluate a donated former Fulton County Medical Building that a local advocate said was being offered to the county free of charge.

Dave (identified in the transcript only by his given name) told the council the building owner — referred to in discussion as “Doc” — had offered the facility at no cost but attached two conditions: that Woodlawn Hospital not be allowed to use the space and that the owner first offer use to Price’s Pregnancy and the Beeman Home. “I said, nothing. I said, we have no money. I said, I need it to be free,” Dave told the council when describing the owner’s offer.

Council members said they wanted an inspection to understand the building’s condition and the scale of any necessary repairs before deciding whether to accept the gift or pursue renovation. Members discussed several cost estimates for a commercial building inspection that ranged in the discussion from about $500 for a basic walkthrough to $2,500–$3,500 for a comprehensive evaluation of structural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems. One council member said some commercial loop/internet work to connect the building to county systems could be substantially more expensive and would be considered later.

The motion authorized use of funds from the commissioner’s budget to pay for the inspection, capped at $3,000. Chase moved the motion and Patty seconded; the council recorded the vote as passing 4–1. The transcript indicates council members intend to solicit bids or quotes for a certified inspector and then reconvene discussion about next steps depending on the report’s findings. One possible funding source discussed for future work on the building was opioid-related grant money, but the council did not commit any funds for renovation at this meeting.

The inspection step is procedural: it does not obligate the county to accept the building or to commit renovation funds. The council will consider the inspector’s report and any cost estimates for repairs or system upgrades before making a formal decision on acquisition or occupancy by county departments or nonprofit partners.