Albany and Dougherty County leaders began discussing how they'll split local option sale tax revenue, Thursday. Those could be tough negotiations because the two sides are far apart.
The city and county both want much larger percentages of the revenue than they currently get.
Consultants for the city and County gave presentations of how much each side should get from LOST funds for the next 10 years. Currently, the funds are split 60/40 with city taking the greater amount.
The county threw out a preliminary number of 53% of LOST funds for the next 10 years. Mayor Dorothy Hubbard said she was caught off guard.
"You know I was kind of appalled because it just didn't seem to be quite in line either what we know is exactly going on," said Mayor Hubbard.
The city countered in their presentation. They want 79% of LOST funds for the next ten years.
City officials say businesses and attractions within the city limits are the reason for the almost 20% increase in LOST funds they're requesting.
County leaders aren't buying it.
"We talk about the numbers of business in the city being at 80 to 82%, but 100% of the businesses is in Dougherty County. We think that is very significant because there are countywide services that the county provides," said Dougherty County Chairman Jeff Sinyard.
"We have a good relationship with the county and certainly we want to maintain that good relationship, but at the same time we have to look at protecting, being fair and looking out for the citizens of the city of Albany," said Mayor Hubbard.
Officials on both sides want a deal done before 60 days. If not, a mediator will be brought in.
"I'm hopeful that it will," responded Mayor Hubbard when asked if she thinks an agreement will be made within the next 60 days.
"Obviously the city and county want to work together to make good things happen for our community and I think at the end of the day, we'll come up with some resolution to make that happen," said Chairman Sinyard.
Both sides want to come to an agreement soon for the sake of taxpayers in the county and city.
If a mediator is brought in and both sides still can't come to an agreement then a judge will hear from both sides and make a decision.
The deadline to file a new LOST agreement with the Department of Revenue is December 30th. If an agreement is not reached, then LOST funds will continue to be distributed under the current agreement.
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