The jail is currently leased by Corrections Corporation of America as a holding facility for undocumented immigrants and Powell said the lease would remain in place regardless of who owns the jail; Powell said the sale would be a real shot in the arm for the county's recession battered revenues.
"I think we could put it out for proposal and take the highest bid, and we could even put a minimum on it if we need to," said Powell. "Selling the old jail is a great opportunity that we have."
Powell said under Georgia real estate law the lease would transfer with the property, so whoever bought the property would obtain the proceeds from the lease and would be bound by the terms of the lease.
CCA has a seven year term lease with the county with an option to renew.
Powell said CCA would be a candidate for buying the property.
"They would be the most logical but there are a lot of institutional buyers as well as private investors that would love to have the property," Powell said. I think it will receive national attention."
Finance Director Michaela Thompson said selling the former jail property would be a big plus for Hall County government.
"We would be able to build our general fund back up, get our employees back to where they were and not have to raise taxes," Thompson said.
IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION
Hall County utility customers may expect mail very soon containing a form they must fill out by next Monday,November 1st to continue getting information over the phone about their accounts.Commissioners reviewed the identity theft prevention program mandated by the Federal Trade Commission according to Finance Director Michaela Thompson.
The form is asking for the last four digits of the customer's Social Security number which becomes a security code for getting account information.
CEDAR CREEK MEDIATION
Commissioners were advised they could expect mediation over Cedar Creek Reservoir with the City of Gainesville to begin early next year. The City plans to build a water treatment plant at the East Hall County reservoir; Commission Chairman Tom Oliver said the issue is wholesale water rates and who pays who.
"The City does not feel that they need to buy the water from the county and we feel the county residents have a right to sell it," Oliver said.
Oliver added State Environmental Protection Division Director Allen Barnes wants a successful mediation before Gainesville can build the water plant.
Hall Co. Commissioner Billy Powell
http://accesswdun.com/article/2010/10/233279