Several months after the Hall County Commission agreed to enter into a land bank with the city of Gainesville, commissioners are now ready to vote on which two people will represent them on the land bank's committee.
District Two Commissioner Billy Powell recommended Glennis Barnes and Tate O'Rouke to the board of commissioners at its Monday work session in Gainesville. The remaining commissioners agreed to place the appointments of Barnes and O'Rouke on the consent agenda for Thursday's voting session.
The land bank committee will consist of two members appointed by the Hall County Commission and two members appointed by the Gainesville City Council. The bank, which was officially established in August, will allow for the two governments to manage blighted properties within its boundaries. Officials say Hall County has no money invested in the bank and is not currently seeking to refurbish any properties, however, by Georgia law, the county had to agree to participate to allow the city of Gainesville to create the bank.
Powell said he thinks both Barnes and O'Rouke will serve the committee well.
"Glennis Barnes is fairly new to the community, he's our point of contact for Georgia Power. He does a great job, real attentive to detail," Powell said. "Tate O'Rouke is, ironically, with Jackson EMC and she's been a part of the community for quite some time as well and she does a great job as well. I expect them both to continue doing so representing the county."
The Hall County Commission agreed to enter into the bank with Gainesville in June.
