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County manager lists property purchase, fiber contract, grants and fleet buys; board to certify estimated rollback rate
Summary
Staff asked the board to approve several routine consent and county manager items including purchase of the former Free Home Elementary site for $974,100, sale of 22.3 acres on Blaylock Road for $290,000, a Crown Castle fiber agreement (one‑time $95,000 construction, $10,200/month service), reallocating $112,000 in CDBG funds, and a coroner vehicle up to $56,000; staff also recommended certifying an estimated general‑fund rollback rate of 5.153 under HB92.
At the May 6 work session county manager staff presented multiple consent and manager items for the board’s consideration.
Major items summarized included a proposed purchase of the former Free Home Elementary School property from the Cherokee County School System for $974,100 for park and library uses, and the planned sale of a 22.3‑acre county parcel on Blaylock Road to an adjacent owner for $290,000 (proceeds proposed to go to recycling center or similar uses). Staff also described a Crown Castle agreement to provide fiber to six county facilities with a one‑time construction cost of $95,000 (SPLAS funds) and a recurring monthly service fee of $10,200 for five years, network switch replacements for the Justice Center ($98,661.72), reallocation of approximately $112,000 in aging CDBG funds to Goshen Valley Foundation for Sims House repairs, and a coroner vehicle purchase not to exceed $56,000 (SPLOST funded).
Staff also outlined the statutory requirement under House Bills 581 and 92 to certify an estimated rollback rate for general fund maintenance and operations prior to assessment notices; they recommended certifying last year’s general fund millage of 5.153 because the digest and exemption counts remain uncertain. Commissioners questioned public confusion from providing a millage figure without an estimated tax amount but acknowledged the legal requirement.
Why it matters: several property and infrastructure actions affect county assets and service delivery; the rollback certification is a new statutory requirement that shapes the contents of assessment notices to taxpayers.
Next steps: staff will proceed with necessary closing steps on the school property purchase, finalize contracts and amendments if the board approves consent items at the regular meeting, reallocate CDBG funds per HUD rules if approved, and issue the certified estimated rollback rate as required by law.
