Hart BOC to Consider Revised Annexation Intergovernmental Agreement

Hart County Commissioners will consider tonight yet another version of the annexation agreement between the County and the City of Hartwell.

Hartwell wants to annex the Hartwell Lakeside Resort, formerly Hart State Park, into the City which would give the City full authority to run the park as well as provide city services.

However, that requires an intergovernmental agreement with the County, which the County submitted to the City in early June for their approval.

Earlier this month, the Hartwell City Council announced they had modified that agreement after careful review by the Council and the City attorney.

“At the end of May, the County voted on an intergovernmental agreement. That was presented to the City and the City Council decided to table that for review. The discussions began amongst ourselves and Jon (Herschell) and we have forward with what we feel is a reasonable and multi-beneficial agreement for both the County and the City of Hartwell,” Mayor Brandon Johnson explained.

The County had asked for the City to honor the 60/40 annexation process for the next 25 years.

City also added a “what if” clause to the intergovernmental agreement, which Johnson said would raise that rule even higher but shorten the time it was in force.

“There’s another thing we’ve added in here. The 60/40 rule is what the State law allows. The City fo Hartwell is willing to go up to a 70/30 threshold, which would mean that instead of 60% of the landowners and voters, it would have to be 70%, raising the standard even higher. In theory, adding a 70% approval or more of an annexation request by the citizens being annexed,” the Mayor explained.

City officials noted the County quote, “holds all the cards,” but the mayor said the City desires to continue their longstanding good working relationship with the County.

Johnson also noted that the City has already finalized its lease the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

And Kampsite of America has included Hartwell Lakeside Park in their list of approved national campsites.

If the County Commission agrees on this latest version from the City, they would then have 30 days to notify the City of their decision.