[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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],{"_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",6246959,"mediaKeyId","3213582-8a00bcfe6f30d4f1b31ffef97b3f8a18","parentId",3213582,"title","Board appoints members to Newton County Public Facilities Authority and authorizes bond engagement steps","audioSeconds",1422,"startMs",10664000,"endMs",12086000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213582-8a00bcfe6f30d4f1b31ffef97b3f8a18&start=10664&end=12086","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213582-8a00bcfe6f30d4f1b31ffef97b3f8a18/thumbnail_10664000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6246959/Newton-County/Georgia/Board-appoints-members-to-Newton-County-Public-Facilities-Authority-and-authorizes-bond-engagement-steps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246959-7deb7cb5ad85a19b414402e531f5a01e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139405&Signature=GUaAV~ujivks1MNnDcTHMYNR~u20PFOycunx82O~2Ir-3QTGP-QlgPiL7B6~bcu3O6BEok8VU4V1XQKW~U1E24n2LNr6FyJ0lz7gIRBUY4aPK2otxE5MOQIHWzDh-Nn5kzb4ehKyv8avnGvx2WlUODJb-9YW9ynxiAd6LNkZLsTU4PllN-dTqgldgEm458zNLnNsPYNFeanXRRS04QDhn0W985Arfu9776ti5nXVv-yOuOM~KbOYNJfo0maBZjh~NPUGP8G5LXeZcFIMORqPTr35HqTDyzYUjYF4Os7UN~UrlMBST~5QiYofSwReZi8FIfZDswaK8QnymTXcdq49MQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-07T14:42:43Z","article","The Newton County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a set of actions creating and empowering the Newton County Public Facilities Authority as a financing vehicle for government facilities and related projects.

The board adopted a resolution appointing five members to the Public Facilities Authority and confirmed that the county commissioners themselves will serve as the five Authority members. The board then approved officer appointments for the Authority (chair, vice chair and secretary) and adopted an additional resolution authorizing preliminary engagement letters (so‑called G17 letters) with bond counsel and financial advisors to prepare for possible conduit financings.

County attorney Patrick Jogstadter explained the Public Facilities Authority, created by the General Assembly in 2020, can be used as a conduit issuer for public projects. He said the Authority may issue bonds for county projects (for example, a planned new E‑911 facility) and—under updated state rules—may act as a conduit issuer for other governmental entities when the BOC specifically consents. \"The authority would just be the conduit for that financing,\" Jogstadter said, adding that the county or authority would not owe money on city projects if structured as a conduit issuance.

Why it matters: the Authority offers a financing tool the county can use to structure capital funding; authorizing bond counsel and financial‑advisor engagement letters allows the county to move into project‑specific structuring and disclosure work. Commissioners approved the authorizations unanimously.

Next steps: county staff said the Authority will be used to prepare financing for the county’s planned E‑911 facility and that the city of Covington has requested the Authority’s assistance for downtown stormwater and square infrastructure projects. The board’s resolution requires further project‑level approvals before any bonds are issued and does not itself commit the county to debt for city projects.

Board action: the Board of Commissioners (sitting as the appointing body) appointed members to the Newton County Public Facilities Authority, approved officer appointments, and authorized the Authority to engage bond counsel and financial advisers under standard engagement letters to support future financing activities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Newton County BOC Regular Meeting I May 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Newton County’s Board of Commissioners appointed themselves as the members of a newly active Newton County Public Facilities Authority, approved officer appointments and authorized engagement with bond counsel and financial advisers to prepare possible conduit financings for public projects.","taxTitle","Newton County, Georgia","taxId",28541,"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},6246973,"Newton County objects to Covington annexation for large proposed data center near Lake Varner",1031,9244000,10275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213582-8a00bcfe6f30d4f1b31ffef97b3f8a18&start=9244&end=10275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213582-8a00bcfe6f30d4f1b31ffef97b3f8a18/thumbnail_9244000.jpg","/articles/6246973/Newton-County/Georgia/Newton-County-objects-to-Covington-annexation-for-large-proposed-data-center-near-Lake-Varner","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246973-bf1db0d30ecc901dcad3916d7d036b83/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139405&Signature=REx3E9e7fsPOd9UufOT6Py9ndLjW2cRIHTIM~pb5uHD52sQBArpIFaIG1RCrcVxzMYyJRBO6eS7QdnM0zFu8yaiHDJkL2vtJL6dL45hI1lDj6Wd4zlcuIhMuwQweouVhOKHSTK9ctxXlU6kKVKLt7DoUJjnKGDAnzh0v2EGVh-NW1CQMTqcLeOIyDNTORs1PoS6J8o5g5y9xlPD8yAIgB82p3eqr5bYcIouh1bwPcsoxc73VdbeeSKR2jf6FnYUiLkZUHtQ9TtriyfZ4BpsbxJfHxb20LBhOi2eibwExaEPwRcU6cr6QitVZEOCl3NJIjyq2iC~9Wrp8Bqe4J10R9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Newton County commissioners voted to object Tuesday to a City of Covington annexation request that would bring about 520.5 acres around Gregory Road and Lake Varner into Covington and allow rezoning of roughly 213 acres for an industrial M2 district to accommodate a proposed data-center campus.

County development staff and the county attorney told commissioners the proposal could allow up to 1,410,000 square feet of data-center buildings and would change allowable uses and density in areas the county’s comprehensive plan designates for conservation, recreation and live-work corridor development.

Shaina Applewhite, Newton County director of development services, told the board the applicant’s package proposes a campus-scale industrial zoning and that \"there are potential water, sewer, and stormwater impacts\" tied to the project; staff estimated the proposed development could generate about 360,000 gallons per day of water discharge. Patrick Jogstadter, Newton County attorney, told the board, \"In order to assert an appropriate objection and to initiate the dispute resolution process, it is necessary that the county act before May 9, so this will be your only opportunity to do so.\"

Why it matters: county staff said the annexation would remove the property from county land-use review and impact-fee collection while creating infrastructure demands the county could still be required to address along Gregory Road and in shared water infrastructure. The county’s analysis noted Lake Varner and local water mains serve multiple jurisdictions and that heavy industrial water users such as data centers can create large, continuous water and discharge demands.

Public commenters urged caution. Resident Star Smith, who gave her address as 581 Gregory Road, told the board, \"I built my home here for the peace and the beauty and the quality of life,\" and said a campus-scale data center would bring 24/7 operations, noise, traffic and light pollution and could stress Lake Varner, the local drinking-water source. Another resident, Brian Fricks, told the board that data centers are \"major...power hogs\" and that the county should prioritize protecting water resources. \"You can't drink money,\" Fricks said.

Board action: After discussion, commissioners moved a resolution objecting to the annexation and authorizing county staff and counsel to send the formal objection and pursue the statutory dispute-resolution process. The board recorded the vote as 3 in favor, 1 opposed and 1 abstention; county staff noted the objection must be filed within the statutory timeframe to preserve the county’s right to arbitration.

What county staff emphasized: the county’s presentation flagged three principal areas of concern: (1) potential water supply and discharge impacts tied to large cooling and make-up water demands and to how treated discharge would be managed relative to Lake Varner; (2) transportation impacts, including the need to improve and possibly widen Gregory Road and to acquire additional right of way because the road as-built does not meet county standards; and (3) plan-compatibility and density changes, because the city’s proposed lot sizes (the applicant proposes 2.5-acre estate lots in some areas) and M2 industrial zoning would not match the county’s current future land-use designations for conservation/recreation and live-work corridor areas.

County staff also provided low-end impact-fee estimates included with their packet (staff cited $255,000 in potential industrial impact fees and roughly $94,000 for the residential portion on the low end) and summarized comments from other jurisdictions and utilities about water-main capacity and shared-system impacts.

What happens next: Under Georgia law for municipal annexations, the city and county have a prescribed process for notice, objection and arbitration; the county’s formal objection triggers the dispute-resolution timeline. The annexation application remains pending with the City of Covington and could proceed into the state-prescribed resolution process if the city pursues annexation despite the county objection.

Community context: The annexation request drew public concern about Lake Varner’s status as a drinking-water source, traffic on Flat Rock/Gregory corridors, and whether the applicant has a named end user. County staff noted the application lacked a confirmed end user and that developers often request city zoning as part of a market-phase strategy; the city has not yet completed its public process on the rezoning application that accompanied the annexation request.

The board’s resolution directs county staff and counsel to send the objection letter and to take the steps necessary to participate in the dispute-resolution process under state law.","Newton County commissioners voted to object Tuesday to a City of Covington annexation request that would bring roughly 520.5 acres around Gregory Road and Lake Varner into Covington and allow rezoning of about 213 acres for an industrial M2 district to accommodate a proposed data-center campus.",{"_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},6246963,"Newton County approves Cigna for employee medical and dental coverage for FY2026",586,1482000,2068000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213582-8a00bcfe6f30d4f1b31ffef97b3f8a18&start=1482&end=2068","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213582-8a00bcfe6f30d4f1b31ffef97b3f8a18/thumbnail_1482000.jpg","/articles/6246963/Newton-County/Georgia/Newton-County-approves-Cigna-for-employee-medical-and-dental-coverage-for-FY2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246963-a6f6028757d05d4d194052e18362869d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139405&Signature=YIfWnu8uiByWKdbhauYWNgjUHYi1pVkzrgGKm6Noky9rp4-E6gZCJsNTN0B1ug4ImOawQtU9l470Rx~ldFz6r3SgBPz9AMzhzDi-QXFK1odrNFtGTVPflBfCmleChcz4JcyfRNK1JlJPe9RgS0wvUGKP1N8RFq6ztB~p5GWn3gEO7HWsEgoKK0KojOQ~ldhn6XWYnxIK7tLynsHS2VNeZi3i9X78N6v1yFUkmqYz1SGMhCTZ0y5HBlKi43SCyFpnHdERGcdeh1cdbwLi4xKmUUpS9KvfLBKcaip8EqwoU~SoMoifX94JHTkzrQ-yp6K8QIu66HyyX18nlKerlRBPYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Newton County commissioners unanimously approved a recommendation from Human Resources to move the county’s employee medical and dental plans to Cigna for policy year July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Amanda Shoemaker, director of human resources, introduced insurance broker Gary Massey, who said staff aggressively marketed the renewal after an incumbent carrier presented a renewal the committee judged unaffordable. Massey said two competing carriers returned proposals within 1 percent of each other and substantially below the incumbent renewal; a committee of county staff then interviewed carriers and negotiated a best‑and‑final offer.

Massey told the board the county negotiated a rate cap for the next plan year and added on‑site Cigna support for prescription issues beginning July 1. He said the committee was able to keep employee deductibles and copays the same while bringing the renewal within the county budget projection.

Board members asked about the overall increase and employee premium impacts. Shoemaker and Massey said the county’s overall premium increase compared with the current year was roughly 16–17 percent, consistent with industry trends. They provided sample employee impacts: employees hired before July 1, 2017 face an estimated payroll deduction increase of about $6.52 per month; employees hired after that date would see an increase of about $12.79 per month for medical (dental impacts were shown separately). For employees after 07/01/2017, dental was listed as $1.19 per month. Shoemaker emphasized the county negotiated a fresh dental annual aggregate and that the plan year would start fresh on July 1 so employees would receive the new $1,000 annual aggregate for dental benefits.

Why it matters: the change affects county payroll deductions and the county’s benefits budget; staff said the decision followed an aggressive marketing and negotiation process and included contractual protections such as a negotiated rate cap and added on‑site prescription support.

Board action: The board voted to accept the proposal offered by Cigna Insurance Company for medical and dental coverage for policy year 07/01/2025–06/30/2026. Commissioners asked staff to provide communication materials to employees about changes and the new on‑site support arrangements.

What was not changed: Staff said deductibles and copays were kept at current levels and that specific major dental benefits are subject to a $1,000 annual maximum and applicable deductibles as negotiated.","Human Resources and broker Gary Massey presented a competitively marketed renewal and recommended switching the county’s group health and dental to Cigna for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026; commissioners approved the plan unanimously with expected employer and employee premium changes.",{"_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},6246968,"Commissioners deny conditional-use permit for expanded truck parking on Highway 11",1280,3255000,4535000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3213582-8a00bcfe6f30d4f1b31ffef97b3f8a18&start=3255&end=4535","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3213582-8a00bcfe6f30d4f1b31ffef97b3f8a18/thumbnail_3255000.jpg","/articles/6246968/Newton-County/Georgia/Commissioners-deny-conditional-use-permit-for-expanded-truck-parking-on-Highway-11","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246968-57d31fe5dc1835d258310045be1c8dc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139405&Signature=XjvWF6p9aVuoP1rJlGvzJX7YiB8X0O45NSYRQ1sXaryZXcfvleLtGt2i2-ygKwtmcmfhU3ERC~MlDcibyeYneqrOYYF8Rsu12rdlbt8TlpzcXsbqqnbRC3awko3yDUJ45ePRqaZVSFXnjTKuAjzvlIo~6~9aYt-ozIWCDdDytABLOXA38hTt9P67aVIIdMpBnpH6~pQBkWLVzXvKFeUMXDGCoOrxzQ9Ov2Ie1Tv78W8FTZuesFwcUL30kRigCtrj71F7~yBCvv0fOrR-osFEdpCfyD46cIEfAUgzDhkB5cmXdlEoJnoSU~DWDtDS4pzSffdZnQ-OtKy6Ri6zAQVJ~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Newton County commissioners voted unanimously to deny a conditional‑use permit to expand long‑term truck parking at 53 South Highway 11, ending a multi-year series of applications and appeals for the site.

The parcel, currently used as a truck-dispatch facility since 2012, is owned by Tommy Breedlove (also spelled Breedlove in packets). The applicant sought approval to add gravel long‑term parking for an additional 50 trucks on a neighboring 5.89‑acre parcel; the plan showed 105 parking spaces in total and requested a reduced buffer from adjacent residential property.

Development services staff reviewed the site and recommended denial at the planning commission, citing prior conditions attached to the 2012 approvals and unresolved concerns about the reduced residential setback, traffic and stormwater management. Shaina Applewhite, director of development services, told the board the applicant would need a variance to reduce the required 500‑foot separation from the nearest residential use to the 50 feet requested on the plan and that the site had already been graveled without required permits.

The planning commission previously recommended denial of a similar petition in 2023 and again on April 22, 2025. At the BOC meeting, one neighbor who previously owned part of the parcel raised concerns about traffic, runoff and noise. The applicant’s representative proposed limiting the permit to three years, capping parking at 50 additional spaces, and forbidding new structures as conditions to mitigate impacts.

Board action: After public comment and staff discussion, a motion to deny the conditional‑use permit (CUP25‑000002) passed unanimously. The board record shows the denial followed planning commission recommendations and existing conditions from earlier rezoning and variance actions remain in effect.

What this means: The denial prevents the proposed long‑term truck‑parking expansion as presented. The applicant may pursue the variance for the setback before the Board of Zoning Appeals or revise plans and reapply through the rezoning/conditional‑use process, but any future application will be evaluated against the county’s Unified Development Ordinance and prior conditions attached to the property’s 2012 approvals.

Background references: staff materials and the packet referenced prior actions including REZ12‑000126, CUP12‑000125 and VAR12‑000127; the staff report cited Section 510‑665 of the 2020 Unified Development Ordinance for truck‑terminal standards.","The Board of Commissioners denied a conditional-use permit request to expand long‑term truck parking at 53 South Highway 11 after staff and the planning commission cited proximity to residences, prior conditions of zoning, and concerns about traffic and stormwater.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board appoints members to Newton County Public Facilities Authority and authorizes bond engagement steps

Newton County objects to Covington annexation for large proposed data center near Lake Varner

Newton County approves Cigna for employee medical and dental coverage for FY2026

Commissioners deny conditional-use permit for expanded truck parking on Highway 11