Commissioner Steve Hudson an-nounced that the county would be receiving a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) at the board of commissioners meeting on Tuesday, February 9.

The grant money will be used to repair and extend the water lines for the area which includes Sheila Circle, Thurston School Road and the Glen Cliff subdivision. The county had applied several months ago for a CDBG grant to complete this project, but was the 33rd project chosen and there was only funding for 32. However, when one of the participants was not able to complete their project, Upson's was the next one in line to receive the money.

According to Hudson, they have not received official word yet, only a verbal confirmation.

The board voted to approve the memorandum of agreement and the addendum to the memorandum of agreement for the "SAVE" program. This agreement is with the Department of Homeland Security and says the county is willing to participate in the program and will pay the fees required.

According to County Attorney Ed Trice, in 2007 the Georgia Legislature adopted the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act. Part of the bill requires cities and counties to participate in programs such as SAVE. The SAVE program deals with verifying immigration status for anyone who applies for a benefit from the county. Trice stated that the reason this is just coming up now is because it just became mandatory on January 1 of this year.

Chairman Raines brought up the issue of delinquent property taxes during the meeting. He had spoken with Tax Commissioner Berry Cook who said for 2009, Upson County has $1,014,000 in delinquent taxes; $275,000 for 2008; $64,000 for 2007 and $15,000 for 2006. Raines said that the norm for Upson seemed to be three years before the county would foreclose on properties with unpaid taxes. The law states that the county only has to allow one year and a day to go by before foreclosing on a property and Raines feels that is what should be done.

This year the tax commissioner has collected 89 percent of property taxes.

"Eighty-nine percent of the county should not tote 100 percent. Everybody should do their part," said Raines. "I know there are tough times out there. I know there are some people that don't have jobs and are trying to pay their taxes. But I also know there are some people that play the system and I think we need to clean that part up."

Raines told the board that he has spoken with the Sheriff and he is willing to get involved if needed. He also told the board that in Troup County the sheriff sent a letter to those who had not paid their taxes and within 30 days, the county had collected $1 million in delinquent taxes.

Trice stated that there are two procedures to collect unpaid property taxes. One way is to involve the sheriff, which may be quicker, but it destroys the title to the property. The method that Upson County uses is a process that the state of Georgia put into play several years ago. The process goes through the court and takes between four and five months, but the title is kept intact. Trice also stated that this procedure seems to work well.

Raines told the board that the Tax Commissioner is the one who will take action, but he wanted him to have a letter from the board saying what they wanted done. Cook had previously told Raines that he would stand behind the board's decision and that he is also willing to work with someone if they come and speak with him about why they are unable to pay their property taxes.

After some discussion, Commissioner Hudson made a motion for the board to support whatever the Tax Commissioner wants to do. The motion passed 4-0.

In other business, the board approved a Beer Package and Pouring License for Mr. Chad Hinton at "BoneHeads" on 5055 Yatesville Highway