Denise Askin

The meeting commenced with the invocation and pledge of allegiance. A key procedural item was the amendment to the agenda to add item 8.4 four to the zoning session concerning a proposed resolution for a moratorium on applications and permits for new technology facilities and uses. The Board approved the minutes from the work session of January 29th, the commissioners meeting of February 3rd, and the commissioners roundtable from February 10th through the 11th. Following this, the session moved to public comments, which included a citizen expressing appreciation for the Board's service and concerns regarding a specific development project's density, contrasting it with the new county building architecture. The zoning session addressed an application to rezone approximately 80 acres from agriculture and commercial to industrial for five industrial warehouses, potentially for manufacturing use. Discussion included permitted uses within the industrial zoning category, confirming that data centers, battery facilities, and renewable energy projects are not permitted. The applicant provided details on the project scale, traffic study results suggesting a potential traffic decrease compared to current commercial use, and their willingness to cover the cost for a potential traffic light installation at the intersection of Smyrna Church Road and Highway 27. The applicant also committed to excluding truck parking and data centers from the development and emphasized supporting economic growth through industrial job creation.

The meeting commenced with the Chairman calling the February 2026 session to order, followed by a roll call and an invocation and pledge of allegiance. Key discussion points revolved around the agenda approval, which included removing item 113 regarding the sale of property in Vera and adding item 11.5 concerning the Recreation, Lighting, and Electrical RFP. The minutes from the January 6, 2026, regular meeting were approved. The session then moved to public comments, where multiple residents voiced strong opposition to a proposed hyperscale data center in Centerpoint, Georgia. Concerns focused heavily on the projected water consumption (up to 5 million gallons per day), potential negative impacts on local water sources like the Little Talapusa River and Sharps Creek Reservoir, strains on infrastructure, loss of agricultural land use, noise, and disruption to the rural character and environment of Carroll County. Speakers urged the commission to oppose the project and demand comprehensive impact analysis.

The work session included a financial recap for December 31, highlighting revenue performance across various tax lines, general property tax being 3% ahead of the previous year, and strong performance in local option sales tax and insurance premium tax. Expenditures were reviewed, showing spending at 50.1% of the budget (excluding capital purchases). Cash balances for the general fund were reported to be lower than the prior year. Significant capital expenditures were detailed, including work on the judicial center, administration building, vehicle purchases, and sheriff's office planning. A substantial amount was spent on public works (Elmeig and gravel) and the solid waste transfer station. The session also involved preliminary discussion regarding agenda items for the subsequent formal meeting on February 3rd, noting that the consent agenda would be omitted, an item regarding Woodland Drive abandonment would be moved out of consent, and an item concerning the sale of land at 74 Industrial Boulevard would be postponed. The primary focus was the recommendation to award the RFP for outdoor lighting and electrical renovations at the recreation complex to J&R Construction for approximately $3.47 million, sourced from the capital projects fund and 2021 SPLOST funds. Discussions clarified the roles of the A&E firm (Southern A&E) in construction administration and quality oversight versus the contractor's warranty responsibilities. The committee's consensus to proceed with the full, comprehensive overhaul of the recreation complex lighting system, rather than phased approaches, was confirmed, as was the confidence in available funding.

The work session included a review of the January 2026 financial performance for the general fund, noting that revenues were slightly ahead of budget projections (78.3% collected vs. 77% last year), with sales tax and insurance premium tax exceeding budget. Fines, fees, and forfeitures were also slightly ahead. Contributions for the animal shelter and retirement forfeitures resulted in meeting budget expectations for those line items. Total operating expenditures were running slightly below budget at 58%. Significant expenditures were detailed for the administration building and the solid waste transfer station, both nearing completion. A discussion followed regarding a letter to the local delegation concerning the urgent need for reform of Georgia annexation laws, specifically citing House Bill 496 (Senate Bill 496), highlighting issues with developer-engineered annexations, contiguity loopholes, and the lack of meaningful county opposition rights under current arbitration procedures. The discussion included several specific case examples illustrating these concerns.

The Board of Commissioners meeting included the approval of the agenda and several key actions stemming from the Consent Agenda. Actions included consideration for issuing three requests for proposals (RFPs) for a new Court House covering the 5th-floor finishing, IT/AV systems, and security systems. Further consent agenda approvals involved authorizing up to $60,000 for an Opioid and Fentanyl Awareness Campaign, considering a contribution up to $500,000 to the City of Bowdon for its Gymnastic Center renovation, and approvals for budget amendments and various reappointments to boards including Elections and Registration, Civil Service, Water Authority, Community Action for Improvement, Three Rivers Regional Commission, and the Board of Tax Assessors. A conditional use request for storage warehouses and RV/boat storage at 1040 N 27 Hwy was approved with specific conditions related to access and fencing. In the business session, the Commission unanimously approved a quote of $33,250 for sod installation at the multi-purpose recreation field. The session concluded with an executive session to discuss real estate matters.