Dade County Commissioners finally decided how to resolve their cramped courthouse conundrum, and have finished their 2009 special purpose local option sales tax project list.
“It is something that I hope the voters can live with,” Commissioner David Young said about the decision on the courthouse.
After months of disagreement over the cost to relieve crowding at the county’s aging courthouse, commissioners voted 4-1 to commit $2 million from the new tax.
Initial plans had called for a new courts facility including offices for probate and magistrate judges, but the commission agreed Thursday to downsize and save money in the face of vocal opposition from county residents to the large project.
The approved plan calls for a new courtroom and offices for the district attorney, and for the clerk and judges of Superior Court.
The $2 million from the new special purpose local option sales tax, if approved, would be added to $1.6 million already collected for courthouse needs from the 2004 SPLOST that will expire next year.
Dade County voters will decide on the new SPLOST in a July 15 referendum. A “yes” vote would continue the 1 percent sales levy and raise a projected $18 million over the five-year life of the tax.
Projects for which SPLOST funds will be used must be spelled out on the referendum.
County Commission Chairman/Executive Ben Brandon, who is not seeking re-election, cast the only vote against the pared back courthouse plan.
Mr. Brandon had supported a major courthouse project and said commissioners lacked a vision of future growth for Dade County. He abstained from voting on all other proposed SPLOST projects.
“I think the other commissioners felt political pressure to scale back,” Mr. Brandon said. “I believe we will be out of room right away in it, and we will just have to end up expanding it within four or five years anyway.”
Mr. Young said he thinks a downsized courts facility fits into the county’s 20-year plan.
“I think it’s well planned out,” he said. “The proposed courthouse is expandable in the future.”
Lookout Mountain District Attorney Buzz Franklin and other courthouse officials have pleaded for more room throughout the discussion.
Commissioner Lamar Lowery said he and Mr. Young met again with the stakeholders before casting their final votes.
Although Mr. Franklin did not get exactly what he asked for, he knew it was a tough decision for commissioners, Mr. Lowery said.
“I think the commissioners thought something is better than nothing at this point,” he said. “That may well prove to be the case.”
If voters approve the tax on July 15, the revenue will pay for other projects including road work and a new animal facility.
Mr. Young said the SPLOST is an important revenue source because it brings in money from people passing through the area.
“That is taking the burden off the taxpayers,” he said.
