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Suwannee County accepts ~$3.8M anonymous donation with conditions; funds to be held in CD
Summary
County commissioners accepted a substantial anonymous donation (figures referenced around $3.8 million), directed funds be held in a CD at Ameris Bank, authorized the comptroller Barry Baker as signatory, and approved donor conditions that the full amount be used for a single permanent public project.
Suwannee County commissioners on May 19 accepted an anonymous donation that staff and commissioners described during the meeting as a multimillion‑dollar gift and voted to hold the funds in an Ameris Bank certificate of deposit pending a board decision on a project.
County Attorney Morrison said the anonymous donor stipulated three conditions: the donation must not be split among multiple projects, the funds should be applied to a permanent county capital project (for example a park or building), and the project must be for the use and enjoyment of Suwannee County residents rather than an administrative building. Morrison asked the board to adopt minute‑level direction consistent with those conditions, to authorize establishing an account at Ameris Bank, and to name Barry Baker, the county comptroller, as signatory to manage the funds until a project is chosen.
Commissioners approved the motions 5‑0 and also approved sending a letter to the anonymous donor documenting the board’s votes and the intended handling of the funds. During discussion Commissioner Land and others referenced figures in the meeting materials and said the donation was a substantial sum (a speaker referenced about $3.8 million). Commissioners emphasized the donor’s wish to remain anonymous and said they would honor that request while keeping the funds segregated and invested per donor instruction.
Why it matters: The acceptance of a large private gift can fund major capital improvements without immediate budgetary impact, but the board must balance donor restrictions, public transparency and proper stewardship of public funds.
What’s next: The county will open the Ameris Bank account, place the funds in a CD as directed, and later present project proposals consistent with the donor’s conditions for board approval.
