Franklin Springs Considers Whether to Stop Renting Out Meeting Room

Franklin Springs City Council has tabled a decision on whether to stop renting out the large meeting room at City Hall.

When the new City Hall was first built the thought was to have a community center for the public to hold meetings and other personal events, such as wedding receptions.

However, it quickly became a problem for the City when people renting the meeting room left it damaged.

Over the years Franklin Springs has tried several things to lessen the threat of damage to the room while still being able to offer it for public rentals, but nothing has worked.

Now the City Council is considering closing it to the public for good.

At their meeting Tuesday, Mayor Lee Moore said their City attorney offered few options.

“His suggestion is basically we have to go all or nothing. If we decide not to do it then that’s it. But if we decide to keep renting it, he suggested raising the rental fee,” Moore said. “So it would have to be a pretty hefty rental fee for all or nothing at all, but that’s at the discretion of the City.”

While it was suggested giving the rental rate hike a try, it was noted the biggest issue is the question of liability for the City.

After more discussion, the Council voted to table a decision until their March meeting.