Fayette commissioners approve sale of six easements to Georgia Power over dissent on process

Fayette County commissioners voted 3-2 on Oct. 23 to accept Georgia Power's offers to purchase six permanent easements needed for the Ashley Park'Creola 230 kV transmission line.

Public Works Director Phil Mallon summarized the parcel locations and said staff negotiated with Georgia Power to minimize conflicts with existing and planned transportation projects. County Administrator Steve Rapson said the appraisals underlying Georgia Power's offers were conducted independently and that county staff reviewed the valuations.

Commissioner Charles D. Rousseau expressed concern about process and said the Board, as trustee of county real estate, should follow the county's real estate procedures. Commissioner Charles W. Oddo said unresolved issues with the overall route made him reluctant to accept the easements now. Commissioner Eric K. Maxwell said he preferred to avoid protracted litigation with a utility and found the offers reasonable.

Vice Chairman Edward Gibbons moved to accept Georgia Power's offers; Chairman Lee Hearn seconded. The motion passed 3-2 with Oddo and Rousseau in opposition. Staff said the approvals covered six parcels on the Ashley Park-Creola route and were separate from other easements subject to condemnation proceedings on a different route.

The Board's approval authorizes staff to complete the transactions; commissioners requested that staff continue to vet route interactions with county transportation projects.