Could Fairburn's

Duncan Park be closed?

That's one

of the options as officials from the city and Fulton County wrangle over

who will pay the operating expenses for the facility.

County Commissioner

Bill Edwards said the matter rests in Fairburn's hands, but he's willing

to help.

The problem

started when U.S. Census figures released earlier this year pegged Fairburn's

population at over 5,000. Earlier, Fairburn had annexed the park into

the city limits and Edwards said a law requires that a municipality must

start paying for a facility when it reaches 5,000 population.

"I've

put more than $1 million into that park. I can't do any more. It's their

park," he said.

Edwards noted

that other Fulton County cities, such as Union City, have started paying

operating costs for parks after they have annexed them, and now it's Fairburn's

time to start paying the costs.

But the problem

is that yearly operating costs are more than $500,000 and Fairburn doesn't

collect that much in tax revenue.

Edwards said

Fairburn Mayor Betty Hannah told him the city would have to close down

the park because it has no money to operate it.

But Edwards

suggested the town impose a recreational tax on the citizens to pay for

the park.

"I'd be

willing to help them pay for it until their tax collection starts rolling

in," he said.

Edwards said

he's willing to meet with Hannah and the citizens of Fairburn to discuss

the issue, but has not heard back from the mayor.

Edwards said

he believes the issue is pretty simple. "If you can't afford to pay

for the services, don't annex the property," he said.

Fairburn officials

did not return phone calls seeking comment on the issue.

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