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The Department of Community Affairs has approved the Service Delivery Strategy agreement signed by LaGrange, Hogansville and Troup County, according to a letter sent to the entities on Tuesday and forwarded to the LDN by LaGrange Mayor Jim Thornton.

“We are pleased to inform you that the Department of Community Affairs has reviewed the recent update of the Service Delivery Strategy for Troup County and the Cities of LaGrange, Hogansville and West Point and verified that it appears to comply with all applicable requirements,” the letter read.

The SDS is required every 10 years in all 159 counties and is meant to ensure delivery of services to citizens in a cost-efficient and effective manner. The SDS agreement was passed on May 27, with Hogansville signing as the final signature. It then went to DCA for approval.

For SDS to pass, the county, LaGrange and 50 percent of the other municipalities (West Point or Hogansville) had to agree. Throughout the process, West Point never took an official vote on SDS and consistently asked for mediation — which was the next step in the process if no agreement was reached.

“I’m pleased that DCA has approved our final SDS agreement. The negotiation process has not been fun, but it was necessary and has been productive,” Thornton said. “I’m satisfied that this final agreement, which is now approved for another ten-year cycle, represents a good deal for the residents of LaGrange.”