[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6358435,"mediaKeyId","2212459-8d537793cf3bb75a0983b88cee06f977","parentId",2212459,"title","Council plans fee-schedule review, partners with Georgia Southern practicum student and notes audit acceptance","audioSeconds",971,"startMs",328000,"endMs",1299000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212459-8d537793cf3bb75a0983b88cee06f977&start=328&end=1299","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212459-8d537793cf3bb75a0983b88cee06f977/thumbnail_328000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6358435/Walnut-Grove/Walton-County/Georgia/Council-plans-fee-schedule-review-partners-with-Georgia-Southern-practicum-student-and-notes-audit-acceptance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358435-c0984b59e68f33ecba8961f6fa39242a/orig.mp4?Expires=1774938257&Signature=YJq~HN7Nu5tmIup3clYNSLOdw1XM6G6FcPqPiCF~CgxdySVJmHddUlhTZx8bmFJZD2RBQQd9wA-y~YPZ8~KdWK3x6Sn9Rj5yrBdIz5R358kEwDOmeTQFGCXSU-xtwGzJrElWP8XQzH2p5DweYU~vqUWWne20BYFF3vMCoipys0THuapKGPJYDBCTiYrzm3cBGkLZJWrir-mLmUcxg1LF900qYbaP1PcxHtpQ9FsBwX4MRTgVa2ddeNoQyI~FIjPm-xpAYWM4Ou-o0OI6LY18M3CmMNKw6BFrYuZV9ctE9ogJhQ-t4cRfYOZ-x-kCySEJkMQaipb2P7yTiwEfLXxk1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-01T19:19:10Z","article","Councilors discussed an upcoming comprehensive review of the city fee schedule and will compare Walnut Grove’s current fees to peer cities such as Social Circle, Monroe and Loganville. The presiding official said staff will circulate a spreadsheet before the next work session and that the council plans to vote on fee updates in early March.

The council also approved (by direction) participation in a Georgia Southern University practicum: a student in a practicum course will work with city staff for one semester to draft a new employee manual at no cost. The presiding official said the student will present a finished product at the semester’s end and the city’s attorneys will review the manual before adoption.

The presiding official reported that the city’s audit was accepted by the Board of Accountancy (BOAA) without issues. She also briefly noted other upcoming items and events, including flagpole plans at the library, a community group event (Church of the Grove), public-works training, drone flights to support zoning and code enforcement, and planned future agenda items including a new code-enforcement truck and a dump trailer for public works.

Council approved the meeting agenda with modifications at the start of the session; the motion to approve the agenda with changes passed by unanimous show of hands. The presiding official closed the meeting after a motion to adjourn that was seconded and approved.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","01/30/2025 Public Hearing and Work Session Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council signaled plans to update the city fee schedule and asked members to review a comparative spreadsheet; the city will work with a Georgia Southern practicum student to produce a new employee manual, and auditors accepted the city's recent filing without findings.","taxTitle","Walnut Grove, Walton County, Georgia","taxId",74351,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6358438,"Council discusses public works building facelift, paving and security; plans for new mower and equipment reviewed",460,456000,916000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212459-8d537793cf3bb75a0983b88cee06f977&start=456&end=916","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212459-8d537793cf3bb75a0983b88cee06f977/thumbnail_456000.jpg","/articles/6358438/Walnut-Grove/Walton-County/Georgia/Council-discusses-public-works-building-facelift-paving-and-security-plans-for-new-mower-and-equipment-reviewed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358438-d497f8ac4b96325b188591d47d39a758/orig.mp4?Expires=1774938257&Signature=cr6tDoyQ~dfBO-L46P6F35zOJv0BmE4eHBEqAh5JO4~JiNoe3W-GHpDODYUokklbLRwkpx9U6gJ0DbI5jns~yAW9w9AGfXUfJCjw0NAIBdwJ8tz1ykl44gzley8awY9Hj3DUxWSpc50PzxvJhwBKBJYbf1~2o2z5nDVgBfmbOpDD0IWv-jvsUic9VJsK57unkeBYn1ShZgEV4NhiVVNljZNKKZUMzgUqhcd32d~VBGfWPUE1mS0Txew9iZ-GCddAPkmf02UnVfxkBehCs13PRQihqFM~ZbrVatWq7yZA80LOLvLhyi3~sOrCJBmtowzhDK3M59r7PIqgzNuPyVc7ZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors reviewed a proposed Stage 1 facelift and repairs for the public works building, including replacement of the front entry, windows and doors, masonry repairs, new garage door, soffits and gutters, trim and insulation, and exterior hardi-plank or stone to address runoff and staining.

The presiding official summarized a single-sheet scope and asked members to flag any additional items before staff issues a request for quotes (RFQ). She said the plan is to replace the front facade element and install code-compliant steps and decking for each door: “We are not going to build this massive porch out front. We're going to build steps and deckings for each door after those doors have been replaced that meets code,” she said.

Councilors discussed adding security measures for stored equipment and cameras; one councilor noted the building already has a security latch and existing keypads. They also discussed paving several employee parking spaces and the driveway to reduce gravel tracking into adjacent property.

Separately, the council reviewed three dealer quotes for a commercial John Deere mower (54-inch and 60-inch deck options) from dealers in Conyers, Lilburn and Athens. The public works manager recommended the John Deere and preferred a 60-inch deck for its mulching/lever functionality; the price difference was noted to be about $1,110. The presiding official said the city will invite the public works manager to a future meeting to discuss equipment and warranty details and that the city must vote on purchases above a certain threshold. “Do we have to have a vote on this, or can I just go ahead and make a decision on this since we're looking at around 13, $14,000?” she asked; staff responded that a formal vote will be required for procurement at that level.

No procurement action was taken at the work session; staff will return with final quotes and attendant warranty/service information for formal approval.","Council reviewed a front-facade renovation and repairs for the public works building, discussed paving employee parking, possible security cameras, and considered quotes for a new John Deere commercial mower; no purchase vote was taken.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6358439,"Council reviews Magnolia Drive culvert repair estimates; cost roughly $128,000, vote planned next meeting",185,1668000,1853000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212459-8d537793cf3bb75a0983b88cee06f977&start=1668&end=1853","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212459-8d537793cf3bb75a0983b88cee06f977/thumbnail_1668000.jpg","/articles/6358439/Walnut-Grove/Walton-County/Georgia/Council-reviews-Magnolia-Drive-culvert-repair-estimates-cost-roughly-128000-vote-planned-next-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358439-8ce87ba262572275d976d4b20ceb931c/orig.mp4?Expires=1774938257&Signature=M6nR3cGlM7hRMLfTD-jSJP6zhnE9Qx8SLvUQSKsm4g7og7-bG0jwFXhkSqXp-CPDdMxVo8VSOt8ohcMbLfMEV38tV079UWhBMqy8a1akSGFFDUzZlQ6tOcbEeOB9kyLIJf7emwzX~qITdZUr~4skocbGcOhszugUnO3Sa0sdJJGhbRw88HQh0hq2R7gk9X~drVYP9xTzVYePH4c58oJcBJlMA0onHIOCpybhYO7KlgXIWCbTikRcS-wxGlBnvax1H6q9ZgFPXhstAlDn8qrFdyW3pWgi3PfjD6XTRUYpX69ovUIPj1EGMXxp8paymZtvKpJ01PAU11G0YYu4mtWtEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members reviewed documentation and bids for a stormwater culvert repair on Magnolia Drive that failed in the yard of a resident (identified in the packet as Kevin Schultz).

The presiding official summarized the two bids in the packet and the proposed funding approach. One company’s base cost was listed as $99,886; after adding connecting gaskets, headwalls and use of existing pipe material the total project cost in the packet was $128,088. A second bid in the packet listed a higher base figure of about $106,700.

The presiding official said the council previously discussed treating the repair as an emergency but was advised by counsel that repeatedly classifying an item as an emergency can be problematic. The presiding official said the matter has been routed through counsel and that the city will place the item on the next meeting for a vote; she said, “we will need to vote on it at the next meeting.”

The packet indicates the work is being coordinated through Aaron Wadley; the presiding official said a bond and a contingency (noted in the packet as 15 percent) will be part of the procurement. Council members asked whether the affected property owner needs to sign off; staff replied that the existing easement/aid (described in the meeting as an easement) covers the work and that owner sign-off is not required.

No formal vote was taken at this work session. The council directed staff to bring formal documentation and a finalized bid package to the next meeting for approval.","Council members reviewed bids for an emergency stormwater repair on Magnolia Drive affecting a failed culvert in a private yard; estimates range from about $99,886 to $128,088 and the council plans a vote at the next meeting.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6358441,"Walnut Grove updates council on Phase 2 sewer plant bidding; GEFA approves $2.44 million loan",339,1328000,1667000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212459-8d537793cf3bb75a0983b88cee06f977&start=1328&end=1667","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212459-8d537793cf3bb75a0983b88cee06f977/thumbnail_1328000.jpg","/articles/6358441/Walnut-Grove/Walton-County/Georgia/Walnut-Grove-updates-council-on-Phase-2-sewer-plant-bidding-GEFA-approves-244-million-loan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358441-b397bfe0857de19678846642346e8b58/orig.mp4?Expires=1774938257&Signature=TySYzC9sEOj2d-hBowH7qeItC3~yuwCnAcHn1EePt-bcpOpwbdTmDpjaTLWx90TGj85JN0-FpzgLNozVE6U1~ypMBVmsu0DG93xbBvQXYLXGb2dBesqnC4lzWogEsg~OJg9ryjgZlfmkbUX1eabZaqzYwWW5SumGbdLqjVwEoiGAHoNtU2RSXIR3x2-EH9adibVVIE-ntV-QcU~PwTDEAgump6hW2EGytbcPyaVOm545ab09vfEGhEZ8-v3nXkrdOuHKlNQb9I8vXgv2kwuHQ5U4CAZbn7WxQso48Zpi5P4zXJex-MRa5VyMLv6MY7l7U1LM0ZJv8auCU6mJ3R4v8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Walnut Grove City Council that the Phase 2 expansion of the LES sewer treatment plant is on schedule and open for bids, following a recent preconstruction meeting.

The presiding official said representatives from Precision Planning — identified by name in the meeting — met with interested contractors for a site walk and preconstruction review. “They had several interested companies there,” the presiding official said, summarizing the pre-bid meeting.

A bidder asked whether work hours specified in the bid documents could be modified to allow weekend work and extended daily hours for one treatment unit that sits near a pond and away from most residences. The bid document calls for work between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, with work outside those hours allowed only with the city’s prior permission and compensation for city staff time.

The presiding official said she was leaning toward allowing limited weekend work for reasonable hours — for example, starting after 10 a.m. and ending midafternoon — on the isolated unit that could speed completion and possibly reduce cost. She asked the council for input and said she would pass the council’s preference to Precision Planning. Tony (unnamed in transcript) suggested written confirmation if the city allows modified hours.

Separately, the presiding official read a letter from the governor notifying the city that the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority has approved a $2,440,000 loan through the Georgia Fund to build a new water treatment plant. The presiding official read parts of the letter, quoting, “it is my pleasure to inform you that the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority has approved a $2,440,000 loan through the Georgia Fund for building a new water treatment plant.”

No formal council vote on either the requested hour modification or on accepting loan terms was recorded in the work session. Council members directed staff to send any modifications to the bid documents in writing and to continue with the advertised bidding schedule.","City staff reported that bidding for the LES sewer plant Phase 2 is underway, a contractor requested weekend work-hour flexibility for one unit, and the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority approved a $2,440,000 loan for the new plant.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6358442,"Walnut Grove closes first public hearing on HB 581 opt-out with no speakers; two hearings remain",101,83000,184000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212459-8d537793cf3bb75a0983b88cee06f977&start=83&end=184","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212459-8d537793cf3bb75a0983b88cee06f977/thumbnail_83000.jpg","/articles/6358442/Walnut-Grove/Walton-County/Georgia/Walnut-Grove-closes-first-public-hearing-on-HB-581-opt-out-with-no-speakers-two-hearings-remain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358442-cc42f214f67bf2aed6f0709e5f0b1c98/orig.mp4?Expires=1774938257&Signature=ci~aX0my4XiLJfqIbEartTWOnkzL73uYiUkQ60SduzvWpbRzXU3JxXPHSDBLvud~KcPnEW0cpuoNJSZen-cq8zcJvqzSEIqZgbXs3pF5ZsUtMOfyHoGztBmKbwyoRuCeoT-FEq6IBUk3IfXaJBj1dG86EFgKjnmIxT3o~E5j2pM4g05Upd1Wc6CVrFFauH0r4oVI4yEPCUr1UXmv0yKwbIyK~CSMIp6uCcibk9e2TWmcdT2vT4RzEdnp6bdVYykNt92l3QbQhbyNe5pRHEjHyqkl8ORpcfe4r2XrJQBy9jEItpHCewjoTSbnuKjkojE4qyuwK3TAIyN2c551y1wUDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Walnut Grove opened a public hearing on HB 581, which would let the city consider opting out of a statewide ad valorem exemption, and closed the hearing after receiving no speakers.

The presiding official announced the hearing and invited comments from those opposed and in favor, asking speakers to state their name and address for the record. When no members of the public came forward, the presiding official said, “Since no one has anything to say tonight, I'm going to go ahead and close out the public hearing portion of this meeting.”

The presiding official also said the council will hold two additional public hearings on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., both at the Walnut Grove Municipal Building, 1021 Park Street, Loganville. Members of the public were encouraged to attend if they wish to comment on the city's intent to possibly opt out of the exemption.

No council vote on HB 581 occurred at this work session; the hearing record is limited to the announcement and the lack of public comment. The council did not take action on the substance of HB 581 during the meeting and left the record open for the two scheduled hearings.","The City of Walnut Grove held a public hearing on HB 581 — an opt-out from a statewide ad valorem exemption — and received no public comment; two additional hearings are scheduled Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council plans fee-schedule review, partners with Georgia Southern practicum student and notes audit acceptance

Council discusses public works building facelift, paving and security; plans for new mower and equipment reviewed

Council reviews Magnolia Drive culvert repair estimates; cost roughly $128,000, vote planned next meeting

Walnut Grove updates council on Phase 2 sewer plant bidding; GEFA approves $2.44 million loan

Walnut Grove closes first public hearing on HB 581 opt-out with no speakers; two hearings remain