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Commissioners weigh legal, financial risks if Fort White dissolves; staff to identify outside counsel
Summary
The board heard detailed briefings on Fort White's possible dissolution, DEP grants tied to the town's wastewater plant (including a $9M ARPA tranche with an expenditure deadline) and the risk that county taxpayers could assume debt; commissioners asked staff to vet legal options and seek alternative counsel for the town.
The Columbia County Board spent an extended portion of its meeting discussing the possible dissolution of the Town of Fort White and the implications for county finances and ongoing DEP grants.
County attorney Joel Foreman told commissioners that under Florida statute dissolution transfers title of municipal property to the county and "shall also assume all indebtedness of the preexisting municipality." Foreman said that raises the question of whether the county would be responsible for Fort White—s liabilities if residents…
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