Heard County adopts West Georgia Judicial Circuit intergovernmental agreement

Heard County commissioners voted unanimously on March 18 to adopt and sign the West Georgia Judicial Circuit Intergovernmental Agreement, a multi-year arrangement the county says will streamline coordination of judicial services. The agreement is effective Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2029, aligning the county’s obligations with the appointment term of the juvenile court judge and referencing ACT 615 (SB 424) as the statutory basis for the required intergovernmental arrangements.

The action passed on a motion by Commissioner James Perry, seconded by Commissioner Larry Hammond, with four commissioners voting in favor. District 3 Commissioner Iris Harris was recorded as absent and the District 1 commission seat is currently vacant. The Board did not record any dissent or amendments during the adoption.

County officials described the agreement as a formalization of collaboration to “streamline the administration of justice and improve coordination of legal services,” language that appears in the agreement text presented at the meeting. The Board did not provide a separate fiscal schedule in the meeting record; funding or cost-allocation details are not specified in the transcript.

With the adoption complete, the agreement takes effect immediately on the stated Jan. 1, 2025 date and will remain in force through Dec. 31, 2029 unless amended. The Board did not set a follow-up meeting item or additional conditions at the March 18 session.