QUITMAN, Ga. (WALB) - Following the introduction of House Bill 1567, Representative John LaHood wrote a letter to the city of Quitman.

The bill was introduced in legislation on Monday, March 16.

The letter outlines the myths and facts about the bill that will transfer all duties and assets to Brooks County and set up a special tax district to cover outstanding debts.

The city has dealt with a number of issues over the years, but perhaps the biggest outstanding issue — the one that has shadowed Quitman for years — is the audit. The city has not completed one since 2017 or 2018.

>>Previous Coverage: ‘Give us a chance’ as Quitman city leaders work to restore trust; bill introduced to dissolve the city’s charter <<

LaHood writes in the letter, “I love this community—its history, its character, its landscape, its local businesses, and most importantly, its people. Decisions that affect Quitman and Brooks County are not ones I take lightly, and I wish this legislation were not necessary. However, my responsibility as a state representative is to uphold the law, protect the public interest, and help ensure long-term stability and transparency for the community we all care about."

This letter outlines a clear path to remove unnecessary and ineffective layers of government, restore full audit compliance, reestablish transparency, and strengthen financial stability so Quitman can regain eligibility for state resources and continue building a strong future."

“My goal is to see this community positioned for long-term success, with local government that meets the standards required by law and earns the confidence of its citizens. State grants are beneficial and necessary to support a healthy vibrant community and this bill gets us there more definitively and quickly,” LaHood writes.

HB 1567 would dissolve the city of Quitman’s charter as of July 1, 2026.

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