Thursday marked a day of progress for Decatur County as the Bainbridge City Council and the Decatur County Board of Commissioners each signed a resolution for the new service delivery strategy moving forward through 2015 and beyond.

The SDS details how everything from the Hospital Authority to recreation shall be handled, maintained and funded henceforth.

We at the Post-Searchlight are pleased to see the two governments reach an agreement after years of bickering, finger pointing and endless disagreements coming from both sides. Finally, the hardest decisions have been made, and now the county and all who live within it can move forward.

Both governments spent two days in mediation sessions led by attorney William Sanders of Thomasville.

It was undoubtedly a very trying experience, as Commissioner Pete Stephens put it at Thursday’s special called meeting to adopt the new resolution. But the difficult part is over—the resolution is signed. The commissioners and city council should shake hands and focus on working together, which has now been proven possible.

Every employee and elected official of both governments needs to understand the resolution has been voted on, and those who oppose it will only hinder growth in Bainbridge and Decatur County.

This is what’s best for the residents of Decatur County.

Entering mediation saved the taxpayers thousands of dollars in legal expenses. The new resolution will see that their money is being used responsibly for the betterment of all who live here.

That’s what really matters. That’s why the Bainbridge City Council and Decatur County Board of Commissioners exist—to improve the quality of life for their residents.