Columbus, Georgia

A RESOLUTION



NO. ____ _





A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF '99 SPECIAL PURPOSE LOCAL OPTION

SALES AND USE TAX (ASPECIAL SALES TAX@) PROCEEDS; TO REAFFIRM THE INTENT OF

COUNCIL TO COMPLETE ALL SPECIAL SALES TAX PROJECTS DESCRIBED IN RESOLUTION NO.

395-99 IMPOSING A SPECIAL SALES TAX; TO ALLOCATE A PORTION OF THE SALES TAX

PROCEEDS TO COMPLETE THE COLUMBUS GEORGIA CONVENTION AND TRADE CENTER EXPANSION

(THE ATRADE CENTER PROJECT@); TO AUTHORIZE THE FINANCE DIRECTOR TO INCREASE

CERTAIN BUDGET ALLOCATIONS TO THE TRADE CENTER PROJECT; TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OR

REIMBURSEMENT TO THE SALES TAX PROCEEDS ACCOUNT FROM CERTAIN PAYMENTS OR

REIMBURSEMENTS ANTICIPATED FROM THE STATE OF GEORGIA; TO PROVIDE DIRECTION TO

THE CITY MANAGER, FINANCE DIRECTOR, AND THE STAFF OF THE CONSOLIDATED

GOVERNMENT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.



WHEREAS, in accordance with Article III, Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the Official

Code of Georgia Annotated, the Council of the Columbus, Georgia (the ACouncil@)

unanimously adopted its Resolution No. 395-99 on August 24, 1999, imposing a

Special Sales Tax, subject to the requirement of referendum approval; and



WHEREAS, the election was held on November 2, 1999, in accordance with

Resolution No. 395-99, the Call for Election issued by the Election

Superintendent, the provisions of the Georgia Election Code, and all other

applicable provisions of Georgia law; and



WHEREAS, the voters of Columbus overwhelmingly approved the imposition of the

Special Sales Tax in accordance with the provisions of Resolution No. 395-99

and the Call for Election; and



WHEREAS, the provisions of Resolution No. 395-99 included descriptions of the

projects to be funded with revenues raised from the Special Sales Tax and

estimates of the costs and plans for financing each of the projects, which

estimates were based on the best information then available; and



WHEREAS, the Trade Center Project was described in Resolution No. 395-99 with

an estimated cost to be paid from Sales Tax proceeds of $6,231,910; and



WHEREAS, at the time of adoption of Resolution No. 395-99, it was anticipated

that portions of the costs for the Trade Center Project would be paid by the

State of Georgia; however, due to budget shortfalls, it is currently

anticipated that moneys from the State of Georgia will not be appropriated

within sufficient time for completion of the Trade Center Project in accordance

with current construction schedules; and



WHEREAS, it is necessary that the Council provide for an allocation of proceeds

from the Sales Tax Proceeds Account in order to complete the Trade Center

Project prior to the receipt of payments or reimbursements from the State of

Georgia; and



WHEREAS, upon the receipt of payments or reimbursements from the State of

Georgia for the Trade Center Project, it is the intent of Council to transfer

such funds to the Sales Tax Proceeds Account so that all Special Sales Tax

Projects can be completed in a timely manner; and



WHEREAS, such action is within the reasonable discretion of the Council as the

governing body of Columbus.



NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY

RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:



1. The estimated cost of the Trade Center Project to be paid from '99 Special

Sales Tax proceeds is increased from $6,231,910 to an amount not to exceed

$22,000,000, pending the receipt of appropriations or other moneys from the

State of Georgia for the Trade Center Project.



2. The Director of Finance is authorized to incrementally increase the budget

in fiscal years 2003 through 2006 to provide for expenditures on the Trade

Center Project of up to $22,000,000.



3. Upon receipt of funds from the State of Georgia for the Trade Center

Project, the Finance Director is authorized and directed to replenish the Sales

Tax Proceeds Account in such amounts as are necessary to cause the net proceeds

of the Sales Tax Proceeds Account to equal the estimated cost of the Trade

Center Project shown in Resolution No. 395-99.



4. The City Manager, Finance Director, and other officials of Columbus are

directed to take such steps as are necessary to comply with the intents and

purposes of this Resolution and to take such further actions as are necessary

to assure the completion of the Trade Center Project and other Sales Tax

Projects for which the Special Sales Tax levy has been made.



Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held

the 11th day of February, and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote

of _____________members of said Council.



Councilor Allen voting __________.

Councilor Anthony voting __________.

Councilor Davis voting __________.

Councilor Henderson voting __________.

Councilor Hunter voting __________.

Councilor McDaniel voting __________.

Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.

Councilor Rodgers voting __________.

Councilor Suber voting __________.

Councilor Woodson voting __________.







___________________________________ _____________________________

Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Robert S. Poydasheff, Mayor