In these days of “easy credit,” one receives credit cards in the mail nearly weekly, can readily purchase a car or household items on terms and gets spam daily for “low rates on mortgages.” Although an individual or business may go into debt easily, it is an entirely different matter for a city. Georgia law will not permit the mayor or city manager to simply go to the local bank and sign a form note or lease. Reflecting the seriousness of long-term obligations and the burden they place on future commissions and taxpayers, borrowing by cities is highly restricted and… Read more

In these days of “easy credit,” one receives credit cards in the mail nearly weekly, can readily purchase a car or household items on terms and gets spam daily for “low rates on mortgages.” Although an individual or business may go into debt easily, it is an entirely different matter for a county. Georgia law will not permit the commission chairman or county manager to simply go to the local bank and sign a form note or lease. Reflecting the seriousness of long-term obligations and the burden they place on future commissions and taxpayers, borrowing by counties is highly restricted… Read more