Oconee County Gives Nod to Intergovernmental Agreement For Orkin Tract

“Simple Concept”

Approximately 838 acres that straddle the Oconee County-Clarke County line, split roughly in half when the Georgia General Assembly created Oconee County from western Clarke County in 1875, were given a push last night toward reunification.

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners gave tentative approval to an intergovernmental agreement that treats the Orkin tract, including the 263 acres that will become the home for the Caterpillar plant, as one, largely ignoring the county boundary running through it.

Oconee County Commissioners Scheduled to Discuss Intergovernmental Agreement for Caterpillar Plant Site

Costs/Revenues Shared

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday night is set to discuss a proposed intergovernmental agreement with Athens-Clarke County that would split evenly both the costs and revenues from the Caterpillar project.

The agreement on how to share the costs and revenues for the Caterpillar project is an appendix to a general agreement that specifies that the two counties will work together to develop the Orkin site, which straddles the county line and includes the property to be used by Caterpillar for its new manufacturing plant.

Oconee Farmers Market Opens Season in New Venue in Front of Courthouse in Watkinsville

Move a Success

Ten vendors set up booths in front of the courthouse in downtown Watkinsville yesterday to launch the 2012 season of Oconee Farmers Market.

Vendors offered fresh greens, mushrooms, strawberries, fried and boiled peanuts, plants, eggs, jams, pound cakes, shea butter, natural candles, bird houses, squirrel feeders and T-shirts.

Oconee, Clarke Memo of Understanding with Caterpillar Provides Tax Reduction Details, Penalties for Company Nonperformance

Phantom Bonds Issued

The Oconee County Industrial Development Authority, in partnership with the Development Authority of Athens-Clarke County, has bought the 265 acres that will be used by Caterpillar for its new plant and will build the roads and other infrastructure for the plant.

To raise money to pay its part of these costs, Oconee County sold $10.4 million in general revenue bonds on Feb. 23.

The county is required to pay off the bonds by March 1, 2034, increasing property taxes for that purpose if necessary.

Developer of Oconee County Commercial Building at Daniells Bridge Road and Connector Seeking State Environmental Permit

Box Culvert for Bank

An Athens dentist is asking the state Environmental Protection Division to allow him to encroach on the 25-foot buffer of a tributary of Barber Creek so he can build a commercial building at the corner of Daniells Bridge Road and Mars Hill Road across from QuikTrip.

Dr. James J. McDonald Jr., whose office is on Price Avenue, is asking for permission to pipe the tributary of the stream so he can put fill on to the 1.6 acre triangular lot and build a 3,500 square foot commercial building and associated parking lot.