The ongoing debate between Dougherty County and the City of Albany's SPLOST negotiations have yet to reach a conclusion.

Both entities met on Monday as they came up with SPLOST offers that leaders on both sides believe to be progress made.

At Monday's Dougherty County Commission Meeting, there was discussion and a special called meeting to approve the resolution providing the execution of a SPLOST intergovernmental agreement with the City of Albany.

The county presented their proposal now based on the projection of $109,800,000 in collections over the next six years at a 36/64 split favoring the city.

64% of proceeds would go to the city and 36% of proceeds would go to the county with a deviation from the project list to allocate 3.5 million dollars to the city's sewer project.

Allocating the 3.5 million dollars was contingent upon the city agreeing to re-adopt the LOST split of 40/60 favoring the city.

At the meeting commissioners also voted on an immediate back up plan to move forward without an intergovernmental agreement if the city was to reject their offer.

Following the county commission meeting, the City of Albany had a special called meeting regarding SPLOST.

The city countered the offer from the county.

The city offered an acceptance of the 64/36 split between the entities, in addition to the county's 3.5 million dollar sewer contribution.

They added that the contribution must be payable within the first year, along with stating that contributing the 3.5 million equals out to a 67/33 split favoring the city.

The city also declined the re-adoption of the LOST split at 60/40 and asked for a non-binding referendum question to be added to the November ballot, asking if Albany and Dougherty County should pursue consolidation.

"We might as well be a consolidated government since we can't come to an agreement on things as simple as SPLOST," expressed City Commissioner Jalen Johnson.

County Chairman Chris Cohilas said he was pleased at the progress made on Monday, as the city agreed with the county's major proponent in the negotiations.

"They may have not agreed to everything we said but what the important thing is I think for the taxpayers, citizens and for the voters to understand is we're making progress," said Cohilas.

Cohilas also agreed with city commissioners that a consolidated government would fix many of their problems.

He added that this entire process has been a prime example of how "preposterous" it is that the two entities aren't consolidated.

"It is preposterous it leads to more fighting and less progress for our citizens," said Cohilas.

The county has called for a special called meeting on Tuesday where they will consider the city's counter offer and are hopeful to come to a final agreement.