Comments (0) | |

Wednesday, Dec. 02, 2009

Centerville agrees to help finance G-RAMP study

CENTERVILLE — The city of Centerville will contribute more than $7,000 toward funding an environmental assessment necessary to start the Georgia-Robins Aerospace Maintenance Partnership, the City Council decided Tuesday night.

The money, which totals $7,397, will be taken from the city’s contingency fund in the general fund, City Administrator Patrick Eidson said.

“The project is more of a regional project,” Mayor Harold “Bubba” Edwards said. “Our vote on that funding says we recognize we’re part of the region.”

The $200,000 environmental assessment will evaluate the property in a variety of areas including wetlands, flood plains, and archaeological and cultural resources. G-RAMP cannot move forward without the assessment.

The 21st Century Partnership will contribute $7,500 toward the assessment. The balance of the project will be divided among an 11-county Middle Georgia region, according to a letter from Warner Robins Mayor John Havrilla to Edwards.

Using the percentage of Robins Air Force Base employees who are Houston County residents — about 77 percent — Houston’s portion is $147,936, according to the letter. That amount then was divided among Houston County, Centerville, Perry and Warner Robins based on population. Perry City Council deferred the issue during its meeting Tuesday night.

The city will not need the funds until January, according to the letter, but Havrilla asked to know “the level of financial support from Centerville” by today.

In other business:

n Property tax bills will go out today, and payments will be due Jan. 5. The council unanimously approved a temporary change to its ordinance allowing tax bills to be due later than usual because of a delay caused by the city switching its financial management system, Eidson said. Tax bills typically are due Dec. 20. The change is for one year only.

n The council unanimously approved the appointment of Mike Adams and Ken Kennedy to the city’s planning and zoning board. The terms start immediately. Adams’ term is through June 2011, and Kennedy’s term is through June 2010.