Police Station repairs, and Council Chambers expansion begin
$3.9 Million saved: How strategic partnerships and SPLOST are rebuilding Donalsonville
In an era where construction costs are skyrocketing, the City of Donalsonville is bucking the trend. Through a combination of rigorous engineering review, innovative state partnerships, and disciplined financial planning, the City has launched a renovation project for the Police Department and City Hall that is saving taxpayers nearly $4 million compared to the cost of new construction.
The $4.5 million alternative
The need for a new facility was a matter of necessity, not a luxury. For years, the Police Department has battled space constraints and significant mildew and moisture issues. To assess the best path forward, the City commissioned an engineering study to look at the cost of a brand-new building.
The estimate: $4.5 million
Faced with such a substantial burden, the Mayor and Council spent months reviewing alternatives. The mandate was clear: solve the infrastructure and health issues without a multi-million dollar price tag.
A Master Class in Stewardship
With guidance and direction received from State Representative Gerald Greene, the solution came through a proactive partnership with the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC). By utilizing labor from the GDC’s inmate training and rehabilitation program, the City has effectively eliminated the largest expense of any building project.
Under this agreement, the State provides supervised labor as part of its vocational training mission, while the City is only responsible for the cost of supplies and materials. This strategic move has capped the total renovation cost at a maximum of $590,000—roughly 13% of the cost of a new building.
Transparent Funding
To ensure the work can proceed efficiently without an immediate strain on cash reserves, the project is funded through a construction loan. This loan will be repaid through a combination of SPLOST funds and the General Fund. By leveraging SPLOST, the City ensures that the cost of these improvements is shared fairly, including by those who visit and shop in our community.
We chose the path of accountability over the path of least resistance, says City Manager Jeffrey Hatcher. It would have been easy to ask for a $4.5 million bond, but we took the time to find a way to deliver a like-new facility for $590,000. This is a $3.9 million win for our taxpayers.
Expanding the People’s House
The renovation also addresses a “good problem”: record-high citizen participation. The current Council Chambers are no longer large enough to accommodate the number of residents attending meetings.
Our mission is clear: “The people of our community are the only reason we are here.” By expanding the chambers during this renovation, we are ensuring that local government remains accessible and transparent to every resident.
Timeline for completion
The project is on an aggressive track, with a goal to complete all work within the next six months. This timeline allows the Police Department to move out of its temporary facility quickly, further reducing monthly lease expenses.
By being proactive and refusing to accept a $4.5 million bill as the only option, the City of Donalsonville is proving that ethical leadership and fiscal stability go hand-in-hand.
