The Floyd County Commission will choose a chairman and name county officers today at its first meeting of the year.

Commissioners also are slated to discuss a request from Chatham County to file a brief in support of its lawsuit against the state Department of Corrections.

The commission starts its caucus session at noon, with the regular meeting to follow at 2 p.m. at the Historic Floyd County Courthouse.

In a suit filed Dec. 12, 2002, Chatham officials charged that the DOC’s low reimbursement rate to county jails housing state prisoners is essentially a forced “donation.” A Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the county in November, but the state is appealing the decision.

“The outcome of this case could have profound impact upon your county’s budget,” Chatham County Attorney Jonathan Hart wrote in a December letter asking other county commissions for backing.

Tom Caldwell, chief deputy for the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, has said the county spent an estimated $657,000 more to house state prisoners in 2005 than it received as reimbursement. The reimbursement rate is set by the Georgia General Assembly.

The issue could, however, be a touchy one. County Commissioner John Mayes — one of several members in the running to replace Commission Chairman Chuck Hufstetler for 2006 — sits on the DOC board of directors, which is named in the suit.

In addition to choosing a chairman and vice chairman, the commission will make other annual appointments. County Manager Kevin Poe and County Clerk Kathy Arp are scheduled to be reappointed to their posts. The law firm of Smith, Shaw & Maddox, represented by Tommy Manning, also is slated for reappointment as the county attorney.

Mauldin & Jenkins is expected to be reappointed as independent county auditors. Its representative, Rick Hartley, will present the audit report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, during the caucus.

Also during the caucus, Wright Ledbetter is scheduled to present his proposal for a tax allocation district on the old Riverside Chevrolet tract. R.H. Ledbetter Properties Inc. owns the former city landfill site at the corner of Turner McCall Boulevard and Riverside Parkway.

The Rome City Commission approved the TAD in December. Unlike the West Third Street redevelopment TAD — which is now on shaky ground — the city’s only agreement with Ledbetter is to pledge the use of its increased tax revenues for 15 years.