A judge denied Saturday a request for an injunction sought by residents to block funding for a taxiway expansion that will ready Paulding County’s airport for future commercialization.
However, as a broader case challenging an intergovernmental loan to the airport moves forward, Judge Grant Brantley indicated that the plaintiffs raised some important issues, saying he has “serious concerns” regarding the county Industrial Building Authority’s position.
The Paulding residents are challenging a $1 million loan from the building authority to the Paulding County Airport Authority to help pay for the taxiway project.
Brantley, a Cobb County Superior Court senior judge, came to Paulding for the hearing Saturday after Paulding judges recused themselves from the case.
Attorney Charles McKnight, representing the residents, contended the building authority does not have the power to make loans or to pay for taxiway projects.
“It seems like they’re just moving money from one pocket to the other with no public input,” said Jordan Louie, one of the plaintiffs.
Attorney Tom Cable, representing the building authority, countered that the loan fulfilled the authority’s mission of promoting and expanding industry and trade in Paulding and reducing unemployment.
Cable also said the loan has already been made and about half of the money has been paid to the contractor working on the taxiway project, while the other half is past due.
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