Flowery Branch makes an annexation deal with SKF

FLOWERY BRANCH - Flowery Branch City Council approved a deal Thursday night that brings a sizable industry into the city after six years.

City Council approved the agreement with a power of attorney that allows ball bearing producer SKF on McEver Road with nearly 300 employees to annex into the city by September 2017 and connect to the sewer system.

The agreement allows SKF to delay the annexation to save on city taxes and General Manager Jean Luc Gardelle, originally from France, said in exchange, the company brings industrial growth plus a $47,000 sewer tap fee.

"We want to help with the economic growth of the region and attract and get jobs here," Gardelle said.

"This boils down to an agreement where it doesn't cost the city anything," Mayor Protem Joe Anglin said. "We've got an opportunity to bring in a winning company six years down the road."

COUNCIL DECIDES ON TECH SUPPORT

City Council got the chance to compare 'apples to apples' when it comes to computer communication and record keeping and decided to pick a company City Manager Bill Andrew recommended two weeks ago.

That company is Alpharetta based Sophicity, providing a variety of services at a cheaper price than two other companies; Councilman Damon Gibbs made the motion.

"We obviously have needs and we have to make some changes," Gibbs said." Two months for the price of three will give us a chance to do that."

Sophicity offered a three month trial which included unlimited support hours compared to just eleven from a competing company. City staff told council that current computer services are too slow and unreliable.