Gerald Goosby, transportation specialist with the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission in Camilla, Ga., addresed the Decatur County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday night, concerning the progress of a proposal passed by the Georgia legislature.

“Under the proposal, passed by the legislature, citizens in the 14 counties which our Regional Comission covers, will have a chance to vote on a 1-percent special option sales tax in the July 31 election,” he said in opening his comments.

Goosby further pointed out that, if passed, the tax would generate an estimated $5.30 million for Decatur County, during its 12-year duration.
“Seventy-five percent of the money raised could be used for road improvents and other projects in the counties and their municipalities,” he said.

Bob Lane, a retired Bainbridge College biology professor, urged the commissioners not to support the proposal.

“Mr. Goosby has not explained how this added tax will benefit us to my satisfaction,” Lane said. “Another 1-percent tax added on to the taxes we already have could adversely affect many people.

“I know this board has nothing to do with it. The ones we need to contact are State Sen. John Bolluch and State Rep. Gene Maddox.”

Commissioner David “Butch” Mosely made a request that the board approve the cleaning out of ditches and scraping of the road on Sapp Lane, a short road in his district where an elderly lady and her daughter live.
“We just need to clean out the ditches and scrape the road once a year,” he said. The request was approved unanimously.

Mosely also had words of praise for the work being done by interim county administrator Gary Breedlove.

“Col. Breedlove has brought respect and dignity to his office and this board,” he said.

Commissioner Oliver Sellers expressed concern that a county cabinet business was not given a chance to bid on the cabinets for the new county agriculture building.

The commissioners agreed to gather a master list of prospective bidders for cabinets, vehicles and other things the county purchases.
County Attorney Brown Moseley informed the board that the new open records law requires the board to keep minutes during executive sessions.