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ZEBULON - The Industrial Development Authority (IDA) met on July 11, 2023 at 8 a.m. in the Pike County Chamber of Commerce.

There were no invited guests. They approved the minutes and their financials before moving on to old and new business.

Old business was an update on the Intergovernmental Ageement between the Pike County Board of Commissioners, the City of Zebulon, and the IDA. New business was an update on the millage rate, board comments and chairman comments.

[Note from the Editor: This discussion goes back to a February 20, 2023 meeting in which the Board of Commissioners and members of the IDA met and discussed future funding. It was decided by concensus at that meeting that the IDA would be removed from the budget itself and get 1/4 mill from the millage rate. This will fund the Executive Director position as well as pay for the interest on the large parcel of property until it can be developed and those parcels sold to start bringing tax money into this county as well as being used for future needs for the city and county. Click here to read my write up from that meeting: http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/BOC2.20.23.html As of the past IDA meeting in June, the Hwy 341 Industrial Park is fully developed, and there are 5 lots under development at the City of Zebulon Business Park.

There was discussion of a a resolution between the two entities and what it would take to make this happen: one reading is needed and it doesn't require a public hearing. There was discussion at this meeting that IDA members did not want this to be an annual discussion and needed something in writing to state this agreement. It was discussed again in the June IDA meeting in which members said that their attorney is working on this resolution. Click here to read this write up: http://pikecountytimes.com/secondary/IDA6.7.23.html. At this time, CM Brandon Rogers is a part of this board and taking their minutes until the Board hires an Executive Director.]

CM Rogers talked about the millage rate and the digest to members. He advised that we have another 15 or 20 days before we can move on. Appeals are moving on at the moment. The digest cannot be completed until a majority of the appeals are settled.

More discussion about the Intergovernmental Agreement. Oglesby said that we don’t need a specific number at this point in the future because any overage will go toward reducing the debt. CM Rogers advised that he had spoken to County Attorney Rob Morton about drawing up a document like the IDA asked in the previous meeting.

The IDA is in a holding pattern and working from its reserves until funds are given to IDA. Oglesby emphasized that the IDA is no longer on the budget itself but will be a part of the millage rate in the future. [Note from the Editor: This was to ensure that the public understands that the IDA is only getting one source of income from the county. They are no longer a part of the budget since their line item has been eliminated. They will get 1/4 mill of the tax digest in order to do pay their director and any debts that are incurred as they work to bring businesses into Pike County.]

They went into Executive Session for the purposes of discussion or deliberation of the appointment, employment, compensation, hiring, disciplinary action or dismissal, or periodic evaluation or rating of a public officer or employee or interviewing applicants for the position of the executive head of an agency pursuant to OCGA 50-14-3(b)(2) germane to personnel and discussion of the future acquisition of real estate pursuant to OCGA 50-14-3(b)(1).

Executive Session. 8:13 a.m.

Back in Session. 8:50 a.m.

Motion to interview with a candidate. Motion approved. [Note from the Editor: After the meeting, Pike County Times asked when the name would be released and was advised that there will be an update at the next meeting.]

Motion to adjourn. 8:51 a.m.

The next meeting is Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 8 a.m.