Thursday, August 2, 2023–6:56 p.m.

-David Crowder, WRGA News-

The Cave Spring City Council heard a presentation regarding the former Cave Spring Elementary School and opened bids for management of the facility during their work session Tuesday.

The presentation from the Cave Spring Downtown Development Authority focused on dividing up the school building so that the area from the gymnasium, back to the auditorium could be rented out for special events and functions.

“That area could also be for community use,” said Cave Spring City Manager Nick McLemore. “The front end of the building could then be leased out.”

The city recently sent out a request for proposals for qualified firms that would handle the leasing.

“We got one bid back,” McLemore said. “That was from Hardy Realty.”

McLemore added there are still some details to be worked out, such as the proposal to divide the building and the fee structure. Hardy has proposed that the first month’s rent goes to them with 4 percent per month after that.

The Floyd County Board of Education voted in 2021 to close the school, citing declining enrollment and financial considerations. In October, both the school board and city council approved a resolution and intergovernmental agreement for Cave Spring to purchase the school for $40,000.

Recently, the citizen’s SPLOST advisory committee included funding for repairs to the roofs of the gymnasium and auditorium in the final list of proposed projects for this November’s special purpose, local option sales tax referendum.

The building will host its first big event since being purchased by the city. A live professional wrestling presented by Prime Time Wrestling will take place on August 12.

Beacham stepping down as Cave Spring City Attorney

The Cave Spring City Council will have a new city attorney by the end of the year.

During their Tuesday work session, the council heard from Frank Beacham with Brinson, Askew and Berry, who is the current city attorney.

“He is getting close to retirement, and is working on reducing his caseload,” said Cave Spring City Manager Nick McLemore. “Frank told us he will no longer be the city attorney by the end of the year.”

According to McLemore, Brinson, Askew and Berry is expected to decide by the end of October, if they are going to be able to continue to represent the city. If not, the council will decide how it will proceed. That could possibly involve bidding out the job.

In addition to Cave Spring, Beacham is also the city attorney in Aragon and Plainville. He also serves as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Rome, primarily in the areas of employment matters, planning and zoning, and historic preservation. Frank also counsels municipalities, businesses, and universities on employment matters, including advice on best practices, disciplining employees, and avoiding litigation.