[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-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],{"_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",6329530,"mediaKeyId","2315974-9c259ccfb3c85f1b1c0b798e9ce139b2","parentId",2315974,"title","Votes at a glance: Walnut Grove approves mower purchase, Magnolia storm repairs, re-adopts code enforcement ordinance and reelects mayor pro tem","audioSeconds",590,"startMs",1890000,"endMs",2480000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315974-9c259ccfb3c85f1b1c0b798e9ce139b2&start=1890&end=2480","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315974-9c259ccfb3c85f1b1c0b798e9ce139b2/thumbnail_1890000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6329530/Walnut-Grove/Walton-County/Georgia/Votes-at-a-glance-Walnut-Grove-approves-mower-purchase-Magnolia-storm-repairs-re-adopts-code-enforcement-ordinance-and-reelects-mayor-pro-tem","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329530-548739c22203d1948ced2819d809c8da/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164292&Signature=PvjxciRRSX2BWoSktmAR3Dg9ink3iYIvo3kquHQ9zrfnkBhCHZilNuekyRUfZ9mBtjHC9fLuPwXvGwzwNnsg-2Bdi0rYs7igqhimggsqaLF07O-OORB0N20WHUqPbvf~2Awe9~dLSwXYxMi9nSk2grRnA6GhnFhwQ50bJebTxBNhOyolbilMlXmpy0Eav5TbroKCYI8AFI0TvqxyFN92bpkym8K22KLJ39mYsAAYYoAC8GCzl2jIRh0mWhT2ubY2E3ZHFrj4zpXXb903jQw8Q7MUl-sN7KZlhO~OBiImkLgBfahvqJ9qA4Cll6F7tQ4keXy7ubjZZerxu0xbQh8CiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-14T17:42:04Z","article","The Walnut Grove City Council recorded several unanimous actions during its meeting beyond the HB 581 opt-out resolution.

Mower purchase: The council approved the purchase of a John Deere Z930M commercial mower for public works, authorizing a price up to $14,000. The packet noted a vendor quote of $13,570.33 and the motion included a not-to-exceed amount of $14,000 to allow for minor variance. Brian, the public works manager, answered council questions about warranties and availability before the vote. The motion passed unanimously.

Magnolia Drive culvert and storm repair: The council approved contracting to repair the Magnolia Drive culvert and associated stormwater work using the engineer’s package of three bids and a recommended 15% contingency. Documents included a packet estimate of $128,088.61 with the 15% contingency; during the aloud motion the council member referenced a different figure that appears inconsistent with the packet. Staff and the engineer told council the Magnolia Drive site was the most urgent stormwater issue because of yard collapse and risk to the roadway. The council moved to proceed with the repairs; the motion carried unanimously. (Clarifying detail: the council packet lists $128,088.61 including a 15% contingency; the motion’s spoken “not to exceed” dollar figure in the transcript was unclear. Staff will finalize the contract amount consistent with the written estimates.)

Chapter 31 re-adoption (code enforcement): Councilors voted to readopt Chapter 31 of the Walnut Grove code of ordinances to include recent revisions to code-enforcement provisions, including tree and stump standards that were discussed during the meeting. A council member asked about enforcement of a large decorative stump; staff said enforcement would be applied uniformly and is at the discretion of the enforcement officer. The re-adoption passed by unanimous vote.

Mayor Pro Tem election: The council re-elected Eric Munoz to serve a one-year term as mayor pro tem; Munoz accepted the nomination. The vote was unanimous.

Routine approvals: The council unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda earlier in the meeting.

Why it matters: The capital purchase and stormwater repair involve immediate city spending and operational capacity for maintenance and public safety. Re-adopting Chapter 31 updates code enforcement tools the city will use going forward; reelecting the mayor pro tem ensures continuity in council leadership.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02/13/2025 Council Meeting and Public Hearing on HB581 6:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","At the meeting the council approved a public-works equipment purchase, authorized stormwater repairs on Magnolia Drive, re-adopted Chapter 31 of the city code, and re-elected Eric Munoz as mayor pro tem; all recorded votes were unanimous.","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},6329535,"Walnut Grove council hears public comment and votes to opt out of HB 581",2646,64000,2710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315974-9c259ccfb3c85f1b1c0b798e9ce139b2&start=64&end=2710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315974-9c259ccfb3c85f1b1c0b798e9ce139b2/thumbnail_64000.jpg","/articles/6329535/Walnut-Grove/Walton-County/Georgia/Walnut-Grove-council-hears-public-comment-and-votes-to-opt-out-of-HB-581","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329535-db774c095840d8aea841f981c0b0063a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164292&Signature=cJ2YmwOqhOohO7opD0NeCuEkCFq4jbE9vzY8BgLvkK5qbHcXYvwEfke9nOgZOF~ggC5ecoiUlkXHZnhN-3wx~yMYiUjwGMXpnrKIHYceD~cQHAC9-~spvYt~k4--OnUyU93RLUKwneN0I5EvAVrJWTkRvDiyCZzwIP8kuSxs97f0piG6-4vDBjGNGrz3aMZOhEAwbtvLuQts3l61bIjzUcdi3WI466YD0tlo68zSOfUGVaiZEjyYVFSoZ5tbL-x~Ldz0AAVp3lqR5j7cNs0a~-dSyrypoo0e3nLEnD~cgsisZRIvNfEQu8Xb986vlx3bBBFGeqaxf6HBEaPgiZvTqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Walnut Grove City Council voted unanimously during its regular meeting to adopt a resolution opting the city out of House Bill 581 after a public hearing in which council members and one resident raised concerns about the bill's long-term impact on local property-tax revenue.

Council members said HB 581, as explained in the hearings the council has attended, would cap the annual taxable assessment increase for homestead property and thereby limit how much property tax revenue could grow in future years. One council member summarized the concern, saying, “If that were to happen, we would have no option but to raise taxes on property owners to meet the difference.”

The council spent several minutes discussing the bill and the referendum that placed it on the ballot. Another council member who described having researched the measure and spoken with state representatives said, “I personally am in favor of opting out. I did vote no on my November ballot, but I had also done quite a bit of research.” That speaker added that the city should retain local control rather than be bound by a state-level cap.

A public commenter, Karen Reagan of Fairchild Circle, told the council she supported opting out: “I think it needs to stay in house. I don't think the state and federal government needs to be involved in it because we're a small town, and we need to do what's best for us.”

After hearing public comment and council discussion, a council member moved that the City of Walnut Grove opt out of HB 581. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The mayor and city clerk were authorized to prepare and submit the appropriate documentation to the state department identified in the resolution.

Why it matters: Council members said the bill could limit how the city’s property-tax revenues grow as the community expands and service demands rise, potentially forcing future leaders to seek other revenue sources or make service cuts. Several council members said the bill appeared aimed at municipalities with rapid valuation increases and that Walnut Grove’s local tax-management history meant the cap would be disadvantageous for this city.

The council did not identify any alternate local ordinance or measure to adopt at this meeting; council members said they will monitor county- and regional-level decisions and revisit local options if needed. The city clerk confirmed the council had the certified referendum paperwork and said staff would file the resolution with the state agency within the required timeline.","After a public hearing and council discussion about long-term revenue risks, the Walnut Grove City Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution opting the city out of House Bill 581.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Walnut Grove approves mower purchase, Magnolia storm repairs, re-adopts code enforcement ordinance and reelects mayor pro tem

Walnut Grove council hears public comment and votes to opt out of HB 581