§ 22-81. Findings.

(a)

The health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the county depend on the availability and affordability of certain essential goods, materials, services and housing.

(b)

During certain periods of emergency resulting from natural or manmade disaster, citizens of the county are at risk from dramatic and unjustified increases in the prices of goods, materials, services, and housing.

(c)

Such increases in price may be excessive and unconscionable during a state of emergency and may hinder the ability of the community to recover from the disaster.

(d)

Legislation is necessary to prohibit any person from raising prices for goods, materials, services and housing to excessive, unconscionable or unfair levels during a declared state of emergency or subsequent recovery period.

(e)

Limitations on price overcharging during a declared emergency is authorized pursuant to the police powers of the county and O.C.G.A. § 38-3-28.

(f)

The board of commissioners hereby enacts this division relative to the prohibition of overcharging for goods, materials, services and housing during periods of declared emergency or subsequent recovery periods.

(Ord. No. 98-03, 11-11-1997)