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Haralson County commissioners deny World Children’s Center refund, approve contracts and personnel moves
Summary
The Haralson County Board of Commissioners voted to deny a roughly $60,010 refund request from World Children’s Center, approved a $51,775 concrete contract for the Waco Fire Department, adopted changes to the county employee handbook, added a Roth option to the 457(b) plan and appointed Garrett Ratcliffe as finance director.
The Haralson County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to deny World Children’s Center’s request for refunds of prior property taxes and approved several routine county items, including a public-works contract and personnel appointment.
The board rejected a request from World Children’s Center for a refund of taxes covering ‘‘the last three years,’’ which staff presented as approximately $60,009.78. A committee member moved to decline the refund request; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Chair said the taxes had already been spent and that the exemption’s effective date should govern whether relief is owed.
Why it matters: County officials said the Haralson County Board of Assessors granted the nonprofit an exempt status in a ruling dated Jan. 25, 2025, and commissioners debated whether any pro rata repayment was due for months before that decision. The board’s vote means the county will not return the requested funds to the nonprofit.
Other votes at Tuesday’s meeting included:
- McBray Road easement sale: The board approved selling a small sliver of McBray Road to the adjacent property owner at the offered price of $3,000; motion carried by voice vote.
- Retirement plan change: Commissioners voted to add a Roth option to the county’s 457(b) retirement plan for employees after a motion and second.
- Haralson County employee handbook: The board adopted proposed revisions to the county handbook that staff said reflected several changes discussed at a prior meeting.
- Waco Fire Department concrete project: The board awarded the project to ABA Construct (construction and consulting) for $51,775 after staff confirmed both bids met request-for-proposal requirements.
- Appointment: Garrett Ratcliffe was appointed finance director; commissioners recognized the outgoing finance director Don for years of service to the county.
What officials said: Chair told the board that granting a multi-year refund would be a burden on taxpayers because those tax dollars had already been spent. A committee member who moved to deny the refund said the eligibility date granted by the assessors should determine relief.
What’s next: The vote to deny the refund is final per the board’s minutes and the approved personnel and contract actions proceed under the county’s normal implementation procedures. The transcript records voice votes but does not list individual roll-call tallies.
