On July 24 County Council Chairman Henry Summer announced that the new library had received a $1.3 million anonymous gift and the new facility would be built downtown.
But what was not said was that the $1.3 million was the value of land. The land is to be sold with the county getting the money, but so far the land has not been sold and money is needed to pay construction costs.
In order to come up with the money to keep the project going, the county is taking out a bond anticipation note.
During an executive session, council reported discussing the issue, although it was not named as part of the executive session-a violation of the Freedom of Information Laws.
Upon returning from the executive session, the council voted to hire the law firm of Haynsworth, Sinkler and Boyd to handle the bond matters.
County Attorney Gary Pope's wife works for the firm, but he claims he stepped out of the room during the pertinent discussion.
The proposed $4 million library is being built on Friend Street between Nance and Caldwell streets and was estimated to have a financial shortfall of more than $1 million. A penny sales tax for capital projects had provided $3.5 million toward the project.
The library is expected to be completed by this time next year.
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