The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution for the issuance of revenue anticipation certificates by the Hospital Authority during the meeting on Sept. 5.
“The Columbia County Hospital Authority (the “Authority”) proposes to issue its Revenue Anticipation Certificates (Wellstar Health System, Inc. Project), pursuant to a plan of financing in one or more series and in one or more years, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $375,000,000 (the “Certificates”) pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Authority on July 19, 2023,” the resolution states in part.
County attorney Chris Driver said when there is tax exempt financing, the IRS required a TEFRA hearing, which was an opportunity for the public to hear what’s going on. That hearing was held, and no members of the public attended, so there were no objections to the bonds for the hospital. He added that the county is only guaranteeing 20% of the bonded debt that is committed to the actual hospital and not the entire bonded debt.
The commissioners also approved a proclamation declaring September 2023 as National Recovery Month in Columbia County. Behavioral health is an important part of overall health and recovery from addition happens every day through various support services and treatment programs.
“Whereas, the 2023 Mobilize Recovery Across Georgia bus tour celebrates that “Recovery is Real” and recognizes that we are never alone on this journey through recovery; and whereas, the Mobilize Recovery Across Georgia/Georgia Recovers bus tour will deliver 100 Overdose Aid Kits to communities across Georgia to be accessible in local government buildings,” the proclamation reads in part.”
District 4 Commissioner Alison Couch presented the proclamation to Cyndi Taylor, Program Director Addictive Disease Services at Serenity Behavioral Health, and Tim Stephens.
“I just to thank everybody. This is the first one we’re doing this year,” Stephens said. “My hope is that this is going to be an annual tradition and not just Columbia County, but all of Augusta will get to participate and celebrate recovery and that people in recovery bring value to the community.”
Stephanie Hill is the managing editor and covers Columbia County government for The Augusta Press. Reach her at stephanie@theaugustapress.com.
