Ware County signals $300,000 pledge to keep State Patrol post in county

Summary

County staff said Representative Bichette proposed that if Ware County contributes $300,000 and provides two acres, the state would allocate $2.7 million toward a new State Patrol building. Commissioners told staff to send a letter and indicated willingness to commit the $300,000, subject to formal paperwork and future approvals.

County staff told commissioners that Representative Bichette has proposed a funding package to build a new State Patrol facility in Ware County: a county contribution of $300,000 plus two acres of county-owned land in the industrial park would be paired with a proposed state appropriation of $2.7 million. Staff said the county had previously discussed pledging $1.5 million for a facility and had set aside two acres for the site.

The manager presented a draft letter for the commission to sign to formalize a $300,000 local contribution to leverage the larger state allocation. Commissioners indicated support for sending the letter and for the $300,000 contribution, while cautioning staff on how prior commitments are presented in communications.

Commissioners did not execute a binding financial commitment during the work session; staff will circulate an official document and follow procurement and appropriation steps as required by county policy.