mistake on a map could cause south Fulton

annexation organizers to start from scratch.

One

of the annexation's organizers, Bill Creel, told

the Coweta County Commission this week that the

group had inadvertently put 230 acres on the map

of the property that would be annexed into Coweta

County.

But

he learned this week that the owner of the

property wants his parcel to remain in Fulton

County. Creel informed Fulton County officials

and is waiting on a decision to see if the

proposal has to go back to the Fulton County

Grand Jury and Fulton County Commission.

Nearly

400 residents in south Fulton want 17,000 acres

annexed into Coweta County.

The

commissioners were supposed to make a decision on

their petition by the middle of the month, but

now that timeframe is up in the air.

"This

is going to give us more time, which may be a

Godsend to both of us," said Commission

Chairman Vernon "Mutt" Hunter.

The

Commission received a preliminary report on cost

estimates to absorb the new residents and land.

An

initial figure of adding $55 million to Coweta

County's tax digest has dropped to $36 million,

since much of the land in question is receiving

an agricultural tax break, Hunter said.

Hunter

said the residents should find a way to make it a

cost-neutral proposition for Coweta County.

The

other commissioners agreed with Hunter and said

they needed more time to study the proposal.

County administrator Theron Gay said he would

provide the commissioners with a detailed cost

analysis, based on the lower tax digest.

Creel

pledged to get the commissioners an answer on a

new timeframe and said Coweta should only annex

the property if it was beneficial to the county.