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2008-06-26  FORSYTH HERALD | Forsyth commissioners split on jail funding decision
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| | by Logan Thomas | |  |
June 30, 2008
www.northfulton.com
FORSYTH COUNTY -- A decision to pony up funds for the design and development of a new jail facility before it is sent before voters resulted in a split vote among county commissioners.
The 2-2 vote saw half of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners willing to draw $344,000 from capital funds to move forward with the project. County Manager Rhonda O'Connor said spending the money could expedite the project by three months and save in construction costs later.
Commissioners Jim Harrell and David Richard voted against the amendment to the agreement with Pieper O'Brien Herr Architects while Commissioners Linda Ledbetter and Brian Tam voted in favor. Commission Chairman Charles Laughinghouse was not present.
"I'm not buying that inflation would make that big of a difference over a 90-day period," Harrell said. "Everyone is dealing with tight budgets right now. If the jail doesn't pass with voters, this is money I'm not willing to spend."
Richard agreed.
"We've taken a leap of faith that something is going to pass," he said. "We have purchased land and spent an awful lot of money on what is in essence a crapshoot. I'm not willing to spend more on this crapshoot."
However, Ledbetter said doing something now would mean three months of savings.
"It doesn't matter anyway because the state is going to make us build one eventually anyway," she said. "What's the difference in spending now or later."
Forsyth County Sheriff Ted Paxton said he has received positive support for the jail from the general public.
"I don't want to put rose colored glasses on this," he said, "but I have heard nothing but support for this jail."
O'Connor said she believed it was better to have more information available for voters.
Voters will have the chance to learn more about the proposed jail with two town hall meetings scheduled for August. Voters will hit the polls in November.
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