Valdosta/Lowndes County Land Bank Authority

Purpose

The Valdosta/Lowndes County Land Bank Authority was established pursuant to O.C.G.A. §48-4-60, et seq., to foster the public purpose of returning property which is in a non-revenue generating, non-tax producing status to effective utilization status in order to provide housing, new industry, and jobs for citizens.

Responsibilities of the Valdosta/Lowndes County Land Bank Authority are as follows: (1) Inventory and Analysis of Properties - The Board shall collect and receive data from public, private, professional, and volunteer sources to compile an inventory and analysis of desirable property for acquisition. (2) Administration by Authority of Properties - The Authority shall administer the properties acquired by it as follows: (a) all property acquired by the Authority shall be inventoried and appraised, and the inventory shall be maintained as a public record and shall be filed in the office of the Authority, (b) the Authority shall organize and classify the property on the basis of suitability of use, (c) all properties acquired by the Authority shall be appraised and the estimated value as established by the Lowndes County Board of Tax Assessors shall be deemed acceptable for this purpose, (d) The Authority shall provide for the maintenance of all property held by it in accordance with the applicable laws and codes, (e) the Authority shall have the power to manage, maintain, protect, rent, lease, repair, insure, alter, sell, trade, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any property on terms and conditions determined in the sole discretion of the Authority and in accordance with applicable law, (f) the Authority may assemble tracts or parcels, property for public parks, or other public purposes, and, to that end, may exchange parcels or otherwise effectuate the purposes set forth herein, (g) the acquisition or disposal of the property by the Authority shall not be governed or controlled by any regulation or law of the parties unless specifically provided herein, and transfers of property by the parties to the Authority shall be treated as a transfer to a body politic as contemplated by subparagraph (a) (2) (A) of Code §36-9-3, (h) property held by the Authority may be sold, traded, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of by the Authority as long as the disposition is approved by the majority of the membership as required herein above and approved as follows: (i) if the property is located within the City, approved by both Authority Members appointed by the Mayor, and one of the Authority Members appointed by the County Commission, (ii) if the property is located within the County, but outside the City, approved by both Authority Members appointed by the County, and one of the Authority Members appointed by the City.

 

Mission

The Valdosta/Lowndes County Land Bank Authority's mission is the conversion of vacant, abandoned, and tax delinquent properties into productive use, with an emphasis on creating and promoting affordable housing and enhancing the appearance of the community.

Members

The Valdosta/Lowndes County Land Bank Authority is comprised of seven members with three appointed by the City and three appointed by the County.  The seventh member is appointed by the Valdosta/Lowndes County Land Bank Authority subject to joint approval by the City of Valdosta and Lowndes County to represent the At-Large Member.  One of the City appointees must be a City Council member and one of the County appointees must be a County Commissioner.   Members will serve a four-year term. The presence of four members shall constitute a quorum.

City

  • Karla Walker - Term Expires 01/31/2026
  • Councilwoman Sandra Tooley - Term Expires 01/31/2025
  • Vacant Seat Available

County

  • Jill Main - Term Expires 01/31/2028
  • Lowndes County Commissioner Joyce Evans - Term Expires 01/31/2025
  • James Miller (Chairman) - Term Expires 01/31/2026

At-Large (Nominated & Appointed by the Land Bank Authority)

  • Jack Oliver - Term Expires 01/31/2026

Meetings

The Valdosta/Lowndes County Land Bank Authority meets on the third Wednesday of each month (except for the months of June, July, and December) at 11 am in the Historic Lowndes County Courthouse on 100 E Central Ave.  The 2024 Valdosta/Land Bank Authority Meeting dates can be found here.

View the Recently Approved Meeting Minutes for the Valdosta/Lowndes County Land Bank Authority

 

Interested in Serving

Any City resident interested in serving on the Valdosta/Lowndes County Land Bank Authority should submit a completed General Membership Application and a signed Code of Ethics Form to Teresa Bolden, City Clerk, located in the City Manager and Mayor's office in City Hall, 216 East Central Avenue, Valdosta, GA 31601.

Interested in Donating Land/Property

If you have a parcel of land and/or property that you would like to donate to the Land Bank Authority, you may submit your information for consideration. 

More Information

For more information on the Valdosta/Lowndes County Land Bank or to inquire about parcel donations or sales, please call Neighborhood Development staff at (229) 671-3617.