By JIM BUTLER

An increase in the number of requests for copies of GAEDA public records has prompted the panel to establish a fee for them.

Attorney Tiffany Sanders told the reconstituted authority membership (District 3 appointee Zendrea Whitehead took her oath of office) that a reasonable fee is allowable under state law.

She noted to this point the agency has met such requests, which have grown over the past few months, without charge, absorbing all the cost.

A request by recently resigned member and chairman Dr. Ray Lewis for 15 years of records reinforced the need for a fee such as is in effect at almost every public body.

The commissioners accepted her recommendation of 25 cents per copy page.

The fee will not apply to Lewis or any other records request already in hand.

In other action the Authority approved 2026 letters of engagement with Sanders and its accounting/auditing firm, Knight Madden.

It delayed renewing Executive Director Angela Varnado’s contract.

The current agreement doesn’t expire until February and commissioners wanted opportunity to become more familiar with terms.

The panel heard an overview of next year’s budget. Roughly speaking, it foresees $350,000 in operating expenses and $650,000 for economic development.

Spending a chunk of that — close to $90,000 — was authorized for various activities and events as far ahead as October.