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Photo by Mike Benna
On September 11, the Hartwell City Council voted unanimously to reopen discussions with the Hart County Board of Commissioners (BOC) regarding the potential city annexation of the former Hart State Park on Lake Hartwell.
On a motion made by Councilman Tray Hicks, the council voted 7-0 for Hartwell Mayor Brandon Johnson to write a letter to BOC Chairman Marshall Sayer requesting the county to remove its objection to the annexation of the property.
The vote was spurred on by local business owner Julie Mouchet of California Girls Development and Design who spoke to the council regarding her interest in developing the property into a lakeside hotel and conference center.
“There’s been confusion over how to do this,” Mouchet said. “My plan has been in the works for five years. It’s an amazing project and I want to see it done. I grew up in Hartwell and I have some great ideas to make sure the money stays in our town instead of going to Wall Street.”
Mouchet mentioned the economic impact her project would bring to Hartwell is something her community deserves.
Hicks stand as one of the biggest proponents of the annexation and proposed development, however he says the Army Corp of Engineers, who owns the property, has put a stop on the lease due to an objection by the BOC.
“Initially, the county went along with us through the entire process and wrote letters of support,” Hicks said. “At the last minute, they objected and stopped all of that.” Hicks explained the county objected to try to force the city to give up citizens rights of a 60-40 annexation for the next 20 years across the whole county.
The BOC had fears using a 60-40 method was land grab; bringing people into the city who didn’t want to be there. Hicks stated the council never intends to annex people who don’t want to be in the city, rather they only annex people who request to come into the city.
“We’ve never used a 60-40 annexation and I don’t know that we ever intend to,” Hicks explained. “I don’t know of any way we could make money off of that park and I’ll be damned if I’ll ever vote do anything with that park as long as its county property from a maintenance perspective.”
Despite his critique of the county’s objection, Hicks said he really wants the project to move forward.
“Please understand, I want you to participate in this, and I want a hotel there,” Hicks said. “I want a conference center there. The one thing I know is that if we allow development if we give that up to the county we’ll never get it back.”
Mouchet indicated she has spoken to two board of commissioners who are willing to sit down and have a conversation about their objection.
For the property to be annexed to the city, Mayor Johnson said the BOC would need to write a letter to the Corp of Engineers stating they do not have a problem with the city of Hartwell moving forward with the annexation process.
Johnson said he would like to start the process on a request for quotes (RFQ) in the hopes it would spur some movement on the BOC’s part. Councilman Stephen “Doc” Ayers agreed with the Mayor’s assessment.
“If we talk about an RFQ we aren’t talking about a contract to build something,” Ayers said. “If we’re talking about an RFQ, won’t that in turn put pressure on people to relax?”
Johnson agreed.
“Maybe somebody shakes out and [they] get serious about this,” Johnson said. “We’re aren’t agreeing to a contract but we also agree that we aren’t going to do anything unless the property is annexed.”
Accordingly, the original motion made by Hicks was amended to begin the RFQ process and discuss the matter at the next council meeting.
Johnson praised Mouchet for coming to address the council and encouraging them to re-negotiate with the BOC.
“I want to see it come I want to see it happen I’ve made a lot of money here and I’ve invested all the money I’ve made right back here,” Mouchet said.
The council also conducted a formal discussion regarding utility rates. The city is in partnership with the county water and sewer authority which controls the price of water the city runs to Hart County.
The current contract will expire at the end of 2024 and it’s time to begin the renegotiation process.
City manager Jon Herschell conducted a study on the cost of clean water production and Mayor Johnson said the costs have gone up “astronomically.”
“For example, the chemicals we use have gone up 200% over the last year,” Johnson said. “It’s a massive increase.”
Herschell also stated the city needs to look at increasing gas rates as those have not been increased since 2018.
“We need to look at all of the utility rates both industrial, county and residential for water gas and sewer, and put whatever the recommendation is in the budget process,” Commissioner Tony Haynie said.
Johnson said he doesn’t want to pass the cost onto folks living on a fixed income.
“When we’re looking at commercial entities that use large volumes, that is obviously the place that make the most difference up,” Johnson said.
Herschell said he hopes to have a first reason on the budget at the next council meeting.
The council also discussed plans for a Veterans Day parade which was proposed by Commander James Fulghum of American Legion Post 109.
Mayor Johnson stated because November 11 falls on a Saturday this year that Hartwell has a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to honor the veterans in our community and do something big with that.
Hartwell Chief of Police Anthony Davis stated they have everything in place to hold the parade.
“We are ready to run,” Davis said. “The parade will stage at the high school and run to Bell’s Shopping Center just like the Christmas Parade.”