When Ringgold, Ga., Mayor Joe Barger said Monday his city was back on board with Fort Oglethorpe’s and Catoosa County’s plans to fund site improvements for a forthcoming Costco Wholesale club, it was news to some city councilmen.
“He hadn’t talked to me about it, and we’ve got to vote on it,” Councilman Bill McMillon said Thursday.
At the end of February, Ringgold opted out of a deal to help pay for site preparation for the big store at Cloud Springs Road. The deal would have funneled all of the sales taxes the store generates into repaying the loan for the prep work.
Monday, however, Mr. Barger and Fort Oglethorpe Mayor Ronnie Cobb said Ringgold would join back up its neighbor as long as Fort Oglethorpe agreed to reciprocate when Ringgold had a similar project to fund.
Mr. McMillon said the last he had heard about the funding was a letter from the city’s attorney advising against the deal. He said the council is divided.