“The economy is certainly on everyone’s mind heading into this year’s retreat,” City Manager Tom Hall said.
Council members will meet at the Callaway Gardens Lodge at 8 a.m. Saturday and spend most of the day discussing key issues such as a financial overview of the city, a proposed impact-fee program, the city’s current budget and some projects looming in the future among other topics.
Representatives from the county government also were invited to the retreat, including Troup County Manager Mike Dobbs.
The county may be ready to adopt an impact-fee ordinance by next spring. The fees are used to help offset the cost of government facilities that are needed to accommodate new growth, including roads, recreation, libraries, water and sewer infrastructure, and sheriff’s, fire and 911 facilities
Other issues to be discussed include city projects such as possible sewer line extensions, road work and the Transcontinental Gas Pipeline connection near Grant-ville, Councilman Nick Woodson said.
Construction of a 12.5-mile link to Transco, a major natural gas pipeline, could begin as early as March.
The Transco connection will prepare the city for the start of production at Kia Motors next year, Hall said. Once production begins at the plant in West Point, its estimated annual usage will be 30 percent to 40 percent of LaGrange’s current gas supply.
“It really does a lot for us to be able to get away with no distractions for an entire day or so and just sit down and talk about these issues,” Woodson said. “This will be my 11th retreat. I still remember my first one years ago to Eufaula, Ala., in great detail. All of them are run tightly and there is always a lot of important discussion going on.”
Woodson also said council won’t make any decisions at the retreat but will carry over its discussions to the next regular meeting.
“There’s never any actual voting at the retreat,” Woodson said. “We just get the chance to go more in depth about city matters than we usually do.”
Kenneth Thompson can be reached at kethompson@lagrangenews.com or at (706) 884-7311, Ext. 228.
To granger phil you seems to be one of the people who always expect that government should make up for other peoples lack of responsibility. Why not say these are the choices you made in life deal with it and take care of yourself. And if we aregoing to be building transit lines all over the county why dont we build one from my front door to the grocery store then to the post office then to the bank and to my job that should help me out alot. Why, of course not that would be absurb, the same as your idea of building one from Sawmill plaza to Crackerbarrel and to Walmart then to Pegusus Parkway. Where do you live at Sawmill Plaza that way you would have free transportation to the county. Why would you want one going to the Cracker Barrel anyways?
Anyone on earth can get healthcare. All you have to do is go to the ER and they have to treat everyone. Trust me I know been there working for several years. We have to treat everybody that has a cold, coughing,headache, ect. Just becasue a vast majority of LaGrange sees that it isn't their job to take responsiblilty for themselves or their families instead they can take the easy road out and let Uncle Sam pay for it. It must be nice.
....and to JMMOORE, go back and read what I said. I said a "small" transit line. Many people could benefit from this. I'm not talking about a bus. Just something to help a few folks get from point A to point B at certain times of the day. If you don't need such a service then that's great, you are fortunate. Many are not as fortunate as you. Also, you presumptive fool...I am not an Obama voter as you say. I make monthly house payments, I have two automobiles that I purchased on my own and I work a regular job. I count my blessings everyday. My good fortune could change in a flash.
“The economy is certainly on everyone’s mind heading into this year’s retreat,” City Manager Tom Hall said.
The City Council is concerned about the economy that they are going to spend city money to go on a retreat to discuss these concerns.
And this;
“This will be my 11th retreat. I still remember my first one years ago to Eufaula, Ala. From Nick Woodson.
I have some concerns when our leaders are not disciplined enough to have a meeting here and not be "distracted" to the point of carrying out business. I would also like to know how much these 11 or more retreats have cost, so that they won't be "distracted".
How many of you folks get to go on "retreats" when discussing business, or even important family matters! I certainly don't!
Are we planning some of those overseas trips this year? To avoid distractions? Wasn't Savannah enough for a while?
You can color me "Tired of paying for Tom and The Council's Vacations"
What the heck are you talking about, This town is no where big enough for even one transit line. I guess you are one of the Obama voters who are waiting on a house and a car that your messiah will give you. Because obviously things like healthcare, a house, and car are now a right to you as an American not a priviledge.