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Schley County commissioners move to establish Ellaville–Schley County Recreation Authority
Summary
At a called meeting Aug. 18, 2025, Schley County commissioners voted to move forward with establishing the Ellaville Schley County Recreation (ESCR) Authority after discussing liability, grant eligibility and future county funding; officials said an authority would broaden services and access to grants.
At a called meeting Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, the Schley County Board of Commissioners voted to move forward with establishing the Ellaville Schley County Recreation (ESCR) Authority, formalizing the program that currently operates under a City of Ellaville ordinance but serves children countywide.
City Manager Lynn McChargue told the board ESCR is recognized only through a city ordinance and presented two legal options: create a state authority so ESCR can operate as its own entity, or establish an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the City of Ellaville and Schley County. McChargue said that, under the current arrangement, grants must be processed through the city and that creating an authority would expand ESCR’s eligibility for outside funding. Mr. Sherwood of the Ellaville City Council asked whether liability would remain with the city under an IGA; McChargue responded that liability would, and that only creating an authority would change the liable party.
County Manager Douglas Jamieson recommended keeping ESCR’s address as it is to protect future grant opportunities. Commissioners and staff also reviewed how county funding has been provided historically and discussed how future contributions should be structured. Chairman Clark asked for recommendations; ESCR Director Leah Clark said an IGA may be easier to implement but would not secure the program’s long-term future, while ESCR board member Roger Bivins said an authority would allow ESCR to expand services to adults as well as children.
After discussion, Commissioner Jones moved to proceed with establishing the ESCR authority; Vice Chairman Belcher seconded and the motion carried with all in favor. The board did not record a roll-call vote in the minutes. Commissioner Jones noted that once an authority is established the board’s expected financial contributions, schedule for reevaluation and the makeup of the ESCR board should be clearly defined as next steps.
The meeting opened with routine items — the agenda was approved and Commissioner Jones gave the invocation — and was adjourned after the ESCR discussion. The minutes do not specify a timeline for completing the authority’s creation or the specific legal steps the board will take next.
