Re-done agreement may end plane tax squabble

The end may be approaching for a contentious lawsuit that has divided Oconee County leaders.  On the agenda for Tuesday’s county council meeting is first reading of an ordinance that, according to the agenda’s language, reforms and re-states a ground lease agreement between the county and Hangar III.  As part of the ordinance, there is to be the release or the order of final dismissal of the litigation that pits the county’s delinquent tax collector against members of the Edwards family.  At the center of the dispute is to what extent, if any, the owners of an airplane owe taxes.  The dispute has created division between council members McCall, Cain, and Cammick on one side against councilmen Thrift and Dexter and Auditor Nix on the other.