Monroe-Bibb border resolution in limbo after surveyor appeals judge’s ruling

Resolution of the border dispute between Macon-Bibb County and Monroe County still languishes as a surveyor in the case fights being forced to testify.

Terry Scarborough is appealing a judge’s order that he must comply with a subpoena from Secretary of State Brian Kemp to testify at a hearing. Kemp is awaiting a decision on the appeal before moving ahead with a new hearing date, spokeswoman Candice Broce said in an email.

Scarborough’s appeal has already led to the cancellation of a November hearing in which his testimony and final arguments were expected to wrap up.

The lingering dispute — more than a decade — is over where the county line should be drawn across parcels that include the Bass Pro Shops retail store and distribution center, which were built on Bibb County land.

There are potentially millions of dollars in property taxes at stake in the decision.

The state established the county line in 1822, but no evidence from any original survey remains.

In 2005, then-Gov. Sonny Perdue appointed Scarborough to identify the boundary. Through surveying, archaeological evidence and maps, Scarborough concluded that Bibb County had encroached into Monroe County, a claim that Bibb officials dispute.

Kemp later rejected the surveyor’s boundary, but he said Scarborough would be allowed to present more evidence about his findings at future hearings.

This story was originally published November 22, 2017 at 1:23 PM with the headline "Monroe-Bibb border resolution in limbo after surveyor appeals judge’s ruling."