Discussion on Possible Use of SPLOST

The Chairman of the Rabun County Commission and the Chairman of the Clayton Rabun County Water and Sewer authority met with members of the Clayton City Council yesterday to discuss a possible function of the SPLOST.

The focus on the meeting was the possibility of using SPLOST funds for the consolidation of the water and sewer within the county should the Carl Vinson Institute’s System Consolidation Study show that consolidation is a favorable thing for the county.

The plan, according to those who spoke at the meeting, would be to use SPLOST money to purchase the water and sewer assets from the cooperating municipalities within the county.

One concern brought up by Clayton City Councilwoman Debbie Chisolm was whether or not the city would be ready to sell their assets at this time.

“We’re all sitting here, and everybody’s who’s really dying to do this tomorrow are the people who are not holding all of the assets.”

As it was discussed in the meetings, these talks were to figure out if there is any interest in this plan, but even if a consensus is reached between the cities and the county, it is contingent on two things: the study showing consolidation is a benefit to the county, and the citizens continuing SPLOST in the special March election.