Summary of Flagview Mobile Home Park Purchase

Submitted by Igor Malanchuk

Summary of Flagview Mobile Home Park Purchase (for construction of new jail) by the County.

Sources: available through Douglas County and GBI records, local media

March 15th, 2007

* Bass and Associates completed the park’s appraisal for the County: value is $5.6mln.
* County’s appraisal at the time was $3,9 mln.

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May 2nd, 2007

Tom Worthan hired Kyle Gable, Bullock Mannelly Partners, Inc. to buy the park for the County for 5% commissions

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August 27th 2007 3:35 p.m. email communications between Eric Linton (County Administrator and Scott Orton)

Erik: “Scott, if I am reading this right, you are estimating approximately $1million to close park.”

Scott: “That is correct…..”

Thursday, September 6, 2007 Douglas County Sentinel

Worthan: Jail will be built with our without SPLOST

“I don’t want to build a new jail and I’m sure you don’t,” Worthan said. “Our number one responsibility is to protect you and your property. We can’t do that by letting prisoners out early.” Only four hours before Worthan spoke to the AARP, the Board of Commissioners (BOC) approved the $8.5 million purchase of a 36-acre site for the jail and law enforcement administration center. The land currently houses the Flagview Mobile Home Park.

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Quarterman Questions Douglas County Pension Plan

From: James Quarterman, Democrat Candidate for Douglas County Ga. Chairman

Chairman (Tom) Worthan:

It has come to my attention that the county plans to transfer the 50 to 60 million dollars county retirement plan over to GEBCOR as of July 1, 2008. It is also my understanding that GEBCORE is a division or agency of the Georgia County Commission Association.

It is my understanding that if this transfer is allowed, isn’t it going to cost each employee up to $400.00 per year in fees and cost the county an additional $130,000.00 a year?

My question is how can you transfer 50 to 60 million dollars without any bids or due diligence of service to protect this fund balance. And isn’t all this being done so that the county can use its employee’s retirement and pension to secure and anchor future debt to build a new county jail and other projects?

Tom Worthan Promotes Website… but where’s the beef?

Campaign signs placed around Douglas County by Chairman Tom Worthan promotes his website but as of this post the site has not been launched. With only 4 weeks from the July 15 Republican Primary, Worthan has said nothing about about his record or his plans for the future of Douglas County.

Stay Turned! And save this site in your favorite list: www.TomWorthan.net

Tom Worthan Agrees to Debate Malanchuk in Public Forum

Douglasville GA: Igor Malanchuk, 43, Republican candidate for Chairman of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners is pleased that his opponent, Tom Worthan has agreed to participate in a public debate(s). While attending a public meeting, Malanchuk asked Worthan if he would debate the issues before the public. Worthan agreed and the two candidates are working out the details as to time, location and debate rules.

“This will give voters of Douglas County the opportunity to ask questions to each candidate and get a feel for our vision for the future of our county”, Malanchuk said. “I believe the public needs to know where we stand and how will plan to manage our tax dollars.”

Malanchuk suggested “Citizen’s Hall” at the county courthouse as the venue, but said he is open to any location as long as the public can be accommodated.

“We need an old-fashion forum where the voters can ask any question without censorship or screening. I am open to discuss any issues the public has, any time, any place”, Malanchuk said in a previous release.

Igor Malanchuk said his campaign platform is based on cutting spending, finding waste in government and keeping taxes as low as possible.

For more information on his campaign visit – www.Igor2008.com

Igor Malanchuk Challenges Tom Worthan to Town Hall Debate

Douglasville GA: Republican candidate for Chairman of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Igor Malanchuk , 43 from Winston Ga., has challenged incumbent Chairman Tom Worthan , to a town hall debate to allow voters to compare both candidates.

Malanchuk said while campaigning, citizens have asked him if there will be a one on one debates with the two candidates to address some of the important issues facing Douglas County.

Malanchuk made the challenge in a phone call to Worthan on Monday. Malanchuk said he would like the debate to be held in “Citizen’s Hall” at the court house with an impartial moderator.

“It would be 2 men and 2 microphones”, said Malanchuk. “We need an old-fashion forum where the voters can ask any question without censorship or screening. I am open to discuss any issues the public has, any time, any place”, Malanchuk continued.

According to Malanchuk, the public is looking for leadership in tough economic times. They want to know what can be done about run away government spending, higher property taxes, county pension plans, jail population and roads.

“Mr. Worthan has a record of higher taxes, more debt and increased government spending”, said Malanchuk. “I’m offering something new for Douglas County. It’s called fiscal responsibility. The current chairman has never met a tax he didn’t like. I want to cut taxes by controlling the size and cost of government.”

The winner of the July 15 Republican Primary will face-off with Democrat opponent James Quarterman in November.

Douglas County Spent Cash Reserves

County borrows operating funds
Issues tax anticipation notices
By Winston Jones
Staff Writer
Posted: Wednesday, June 4, 2008 1:39 AM EDT
From: Douglas County Sentinel

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners (BOC) unanimously approved the issuance of $14 million in tax anticipation notes (TANs) Tuesday to provide the county with operating funds while awaiting property tax collections.

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey submitted the lowest bid of four bidders, with an interest rate of 2.15 percent. The short-term note is due to be paid on Dec. 31.

“Because a large portion of our revenues come from property taxes, and property taxes aren’t collected until the last two or three months of the year, it usually becomes necessary to borrow money in order to operate until the property taxes are received,” said Jennifer Hallman, county finance director. She said the economic downturn, with lower revenues and higher expenditures, also contributed to this need for immediate funds.

This is a common form of financing used by governments with cash flow needs, Hallman said. The county will invest the portion of the $14 million not being used and the interest earned will offset some of the interest charges on the notes.

Last year, the county had enough cash in its general fund to pay for county maintenance and operations until tax revenues came in, Hallman said. However, the county purchased a $9 million property tract for a future jail during the year and had to use general fund money to pay off a short-term note for the property due on Dec. 31. General fund cash was used for this payment.

Hallman said the transaction moved a high-liquidity (quickly available) cash asset to a less liquid capital asset.

Douglas County Ga. Budget Crisis

On May 20, 2008 Chairman Tom Worthan asked the Douglas County Board of Commissioners to approve a $14 million tax anticipation loan because the county has run out of cash. The budget for 2008 was almost $100 million the largest budget in the county’s history.

That’s right the county is broke!

At the end of 2007 the county had over $10 million dollars in reserve funds but spent it on land to build a new jail. The county paid over $8 million for land they assessed at around $4 million. This move comes only months after the voters rejected a $150 million SPLOST referendum. Worthan promised (threaten) to raise property taxes if the voters rejected the SPLOST. It appears he is fulfilling his promise.

The county stated that revenues are down across the board. Sales tax revenues have dropped 11%, building permits are down by 50% and so on.

In spite of the revenue decrease, Chairman Worthan and the board of commissioners are spending like a bunch of drunken politicians. They have made no effort to cut spending and continue to grow the size of government.

Will the BOC bankrupt Douglas County Georgia with their uncontrolled spending?

Only time will tell!