Latest news, weather and high school sports for Albany and Southwest Georgia

The Lee County Utilities Authority is paying off a loan early and saving taxpayers money. 

The authority voted Monday night to pay off a bond by taking a low interest loan from Heritage Bank.  The refinancing will help the authority pay the loan much faster at a cheaper price.  Also at the meeting, the Lee County Commission discussed Grand Island.  Some commissioners were concerned about paying $30,000 in taxpayer money for a study on the best use of the land.  Chairman Ed Duffy put forth a motion to keep Grand Island as a Lee County property; however, the motion did not receive a second.  The board made no new decisions on the golf course and is going forward with the study.  

Meanwhile, a new library and convention center may be closer to being built in south Lee County.  Representative Ed Rynders is working on getting state funds for the building along with SPLOST funds from the county to make this project happen.