Tax assessor, tax commissioner to get first of new spaces
By Leah S. Bethea, Courier Herald

County and city officials and a number of community leaders were on hand Tuesday to break ground for what will be the Laurens County Administrative Annex Complex. “This is a day we’ve been looking forward to for eight or nine years,” Commission Chairman Roscoe Brower said as he welcomed the crowd. “It’s finally here. It’s time for the work to begin.”

The commissioners gave architect David Woodburn the go ahead on a set of site and building plans for the entire annex in March. The entire annex will include 5,700 square feet of renovated area and 12,465 square feet of total new area. The area that was celebrated Tuesday will house new offices for the tax assessor and tax commissioner. Architects and contractors who will work on the project were also on hand Tuesday. “I thank all of you for everything you’ve done in order to make this possible today,” Brower said.

Commissioner Clinton Lord praised the entire community for making the project a reality. “This came about through a good community [and] a growing command for more space,” he said — something Lord attributed to the leaders of the community. But, he said the tax payers are the ones who truly should be thanked.

Tax payers approved a SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) referendum to fund the project. “Without that, this would not be taking place,” Lord said. Other plans in the annex include new space for the commissioners’ office and the registrar’s office. Both will be housed together where the commissioners office is currently. Under the plans, the current meeting room in the commissioners office will become a lobby that will also feed into the registrar’s office. A new meeting room will be added that will be designed to accommodate about 100 spectators and at least two more commissioners. Site plans also include areas for additional parking. Dublin Mayor Phil Best also commented on the addition the building will be to the City of Dublin. “We’re not only proud of the building but we’re proud of the investment you’re making in downtown Dublin,” he said.

Downtown Development Authority Director Kathy Jones also lauded that investment. “Any improvement that you have just makes our community better as a whole,” she said. The completion of the building is expected to take around 10 months. President of the Chamber of Commerce Willie Paulk said she is looking forward to the next big event when the crowd will gather at the site again. “I can’t wait to cut the ribbon,” she said.