Some 70 citizens were on hand in the superior courtroom of the courthouse Thursday night to discuss ongoing concerns about the Lamar County Regional Solid Waste Authority. The authority has come under scrutiny because it is on the hook for a $27.5 loan for a waste to energy operation at the landfill for which it does not yet have a permit.
Well over $20 million of that money has already been spent and repayment must start next April at the rate of $100,000 per month.
The county is on the hook for that note as a cosigner, it was alleged at the meeting.
The citizens united in favor of calling for a forensic audit of the authority. Sheriff Brad White noted a GBI audit could be requested but it would take up to two and a half years to do it because of short staffing and backlogs. The sheriff said an audit by a private firm would cost $15,000 – $25,000.
The group agreed to start looking into ways to raise those funds. There were also calls to demand the county commission to pay for it and begin it as soon as possible.
For much more on this story, see the 8.29.23 print edition of The Herald Gazette.
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