For more than two hours Wednesday,

the Fayette County Commission picked the brains of the counterparts in

Fairburn over a controversial annexation request. Fairburn's city leaders

acted as agents for the Bedford School, which wants to annex nearly nine

acres of its property in unincorporated Fayette County on Milam Road into

Fairburn.

The property is part of a 47-acre

site owned by the school. Before Wednesday's meeting, the County Commission

had indicated they would study this issue carefully, since Fairburn would

become Fayette's sixth city if the annexation was passed.

Fairburn city attorney Brad

Sears told the County Commissioners that the general assembly had passed

a law in 2000 that allows city to annex property across county lines.

He said Bedford officials indicated

they wanted all their land under one jurisdiction and said they were confused

about whom to call in case of an emergency on the portion of the property

that's not in Fairburn.

But Commissioner Linda Wells

pointed out that Fayette's emergency services department has a higher

rating than Fairburn's. Department of Fire and Emergency services director

Jack Krakeel also said his department has an automatic response agreement

with Fulton County, so no matter whom the Bedford School calls for help,

Fayette County will also be on the scene.

Other issues discussed included

what would happen if the Bedford School sold the property.

"That property could be

zoned commercial," said Commissioner Herb Frady.

Sears said it could, but added

the property could be zoned commercial in Fayette County as well.

The County Commission fired

several questions at Fairburn Mayor Betty Hannah about what services the

city would provide to the property if it's annexed.

"Police, fire, water and

sewer," she said.

But Commission Chairman Greg

Dunn pointed out that many of the city's services are contracted through

Fulton County or Atlanta.

"This is a very serious

request. That's why we're asking so many questions," said Dunn.

Fairburn City Councilman Harvey

Melear told the County Commission that the city was only doing what it

was supposed to do, and had not initiated the proceedings.

"We'd love to have them

in Fairburn, but it's no real advantage to us," he said.

In fact, the Fairburn City

Council will not actually discuss the annexation request until Fayette

County makes up its mind. The county has 30 days to make a decision or

not respond