State of Georgia to Sell Surplus Property Online

ATLANTA, GA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that the state of Georgia will begin selling surplus property online, including items such as computers, office furniture, and automobiles. The Governor made the announcement at the State Surplus Property Warehouse, speaking from a surplus podium.

“I’m pleased to announce that Georgia has joined the online auction revolution,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “We’re going to put that power to work for our citizens by making millions of dollars worth of state surplus property available on eBay and other Internet auction sites.”

Last year, Governor Perdue created the Commission for A New Georgia to help bring a more business-like approach to state government. In July, the Governor appointed Lonice Barrett to serve as the Director of Implementation for the Commission’s recommendations. The Commission’s Task Force on Administrative Services evaluated the effectiveness and efficiency of the state's administrative operations that account for more than $300 million of the state budget each year. The Commission has recommended the state find more effective ways to manage its assets. State Agency heads are taking this challenge seriously and are working to develop creative solutions, such as the online auction of surplus state property.

Surplus state property will be available online through a state government website for a period of thirty days. This period benefits city and county governments and eligible non-profit organizations, which by policy have the first pick of surplus properties. Incoming surplus items will be posted and pictured on the state website. Any property not purchased will be rolled over to public auction sites, such as eBay, after the 30-day period.

Previously, private citizens and organizations had to be registered and present for one of the periodic public auctions at warehouses located in Atlanta, Americus, or Swainsboro to acquire surplus property. This new service opens the surplus market to individuals, charities, community programs, churches, and other groups looking to stretch their budget dollars. Instead of spending time and travel to shop at one of the state’s three warehouses, they will now be able to browse the inventory of all three distribution points by computer from anywhere in the state.

“This is a convenient and cost-efficient customer service to local governments, non-profit organizations, and private citizens. It will help us find buyers and get the best price for surplus state property,” said Governor Perdue.

Items no longer serving their original purpose in state agencies can now be recycled more efficiently to government agencies or sold to the public. The state received approximately $1.6 million in FY2004 through the public sale of its surplus property.