Columbus, Georgia

MEMORANDUM



DATE: May 21, 2004



TO: Mayor, Council and City Manager



FROM: Clifton C. Fay, City Attorney



SUBJECT: Agency Appropriations/Lease Agreements





In response to questions concerning agency appropriations and leases of

certain property, please be advised that as to the appropriation for the Lower

Chattahoochee Regional Development Center, O.C.G.A. ?? 50-8-33 and 36-70-4

require collection of dues by the RDC from the county in a minimum amount of 25

cents for each resident of the county. For Muscogee County, the required

minimum contribution is $46,572.75 based on a 2002 census population figure of

186,291 obtained from the Elections office.



With respect to the Columbus Airport Commission, the county is required

to pay a supplement not to exceed $40,000 per year pursuant to the local

Constitutional Amendment found at 1968 Ga. Laws, page 1657.



As to the rent required for the operation of the Health Department at

2100 Comer Avenue, the three attached agreements require a total annual payment

of $270,705.60 by the consolidated government to the Medical Center Hospital

Authority. The Columbus Health Department has the option to annually renew on

the same terms until June 30, 2020. According to records in the Clerk of

Council's office, the New Horizons appropriation was broken out of the Health

Department appropriation in 1995. O.C.G.A.? 31-3-14 requires submittal of the

Health Board's budget to Council which the Council must fund, unless it returns

"the budget to the county board of health with its objections attached thereto

for the purpose of resubmission."



The Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission was created by ordinance and

appropriations to the Commission may be modified by the Columbus Council. No

appropriation is legally required for the Literary Alliance or Uptown Columbus

unless a separate agreement exists. This office is not aware of any such

separate agreement.



We have inquired of counsel for the Health Department as to

appropriations for New Horizons, Health Department Services, and Sr. Referral

and will forward any information received to you. The Finance Department is

also investigating these appropriations.





CCF/er

c: Angela Cole, Finance Director

Mr. Bill Rumer