[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6564213,"mediaKeyId","3296243-ba8118650b832b638f7155eaa94accfe","parentId",3296243,"title","County announces budget hearing, Jimmy Daniel site closure, SeeClickFix and upcoming elections","audioSeconds",4365,"startMs",523000,"endMs",4888000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3296243-ba8118650b832b638f7155eaa94accfe&start=523&end=4888","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3296243-ba8118650b832b638f7155eaa94accfe/thumbnail_523000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6564213/Oconee-County/Georgia/County-announces-budget-hearing-Jimmy-Daniel-site-closure-SeeClickFix-and-upcoming-elections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564213-bf680e3cc6e10df48d13d7e23b1c4c6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770412536&Signature=OovJWe3Q2HZg6sRTqikye0~ECsHZTw1EnsPGmJ1oM3aVkq8rE5~BXLm80KDrAvO9F4-iFqvapYm0iX5rhaCoyGhmn306aWLfzngTDBmDCnuWscqGqGYdwR4QdyzwIV3q9A4SHjNdqP6wmBaz5kwTb6XOP7-UqtowpuHEGxiKI8roQiKEA8xsSxjdyBcoi0iKXbYYYWcm1aHfyjewaQDxhH46GYjGwT439H2qlM9PKMwlEe8t-mLE2~31r2tdJTwSbWDdPJnhDDxSTsAapNRgloVoElvD8JEqgWMv0MAjaosbL15aSQGOeuzcfBpRn1HMBN1j8SmtLwwO6VR4Y6vuAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oconee County","date","2025-05-14T12:17:34Z","article","County staff and board members used the town hall to share several administrative notices including a permanent recycling-site closure, budget schedule and civic reminders.

Jimmy Daniel site: County staff said the Jimmy Daniel waste and recycling site will permanently close on July 30, 2025, because of work related to the 316 interchange at Jimmy Daniel Road.

Budget hearing and adoption: The county announced a second budget hearing to be held at 6 p.m. in the same room (date in May), and staff said the board expects to adopt the budget on June 3, 2025. The county posted budget materials on its website and provided a QR code on paper handouts.

Civic tools and classes: staff promoted the SeeClickFix app for reporting potholes, debris and other service requests, and highlighted an Oconee County 101 class series for citizens with registration opening in June. Staff also noted completed and ongoing park projects and road work during the announcements.

Public Service Commission election reminder: a board member reminded residents that the statewide primary is on June 17, 2025, with early voting beginning May 27 and absentee ballots available; two PSC posts were on the ballot and the PSC regulates utility rates and energy sourcing.

Ending: Staff closed by reminding residents of the next town hall (expected in October) and the county's tax hearing on the 20th, and thanked attendees.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Hall Meeting May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the town hall meeting, staff announced the permanent closure date for the Jimmy Daniel waste and recycling site, dates for the county budget hearing and adoption, encouraged use of SeeClickFix, outlined Oconee County 101 registration, and a board member summarized upcoming Public Service Commission election dates.","taxTitle","Oconee County, Georgia","taxId",28542,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6564218,"County outlines road work and closures including upcoming roundabout construction and a June bridge detour",254,672000,926000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3296243-ba8118650b832b638f7155eaa94accfe&start=672&end=926","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3296243-ba8118650b832b638f7155eaa94accfe/thumbnail_672000.jpg","/articles/6564218/Oconee-County/Georgia/County-outlines-road-work-and-closures-including-upcoming-roundabout-construction-and-a-June-bridge-detour","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564218-f9a544cc09447855700ab04990968d2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770412536&Signature=aZzEvcEUW7hCakjl8-YvrwzG5Da0te6UFgCfViqOBLLM00DRy6QJ0zNoPVWLPvgrz-ZLdtdg88a7qxQeixyOdaBnZCcwe-7suPT~nU4kwFXiBsO5R4Vz4N~7lAz8WlHX7qD2ZumI1eVwlMQugHscyowBbbq5TqSpPiizi56zMI5MsLrhOo8~Q2MwagT0g6Ah6K7-aXtlFiUMHiRjb6kvKiNXBc1l3bDDIAF1-Z60V4MA4h5k2vfuXz7jpEO5Mt71NfyZD1f1AlG0vLv9ZvxYWk4y1ZtsbGFweW5OuQMOqyZalhVxsB8Vufy37XKypcJNjsIZZOIzlIdJXCc5lJ689Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff provided an update on road projects that will affect traffic across Oconee County over the coming months.

Staff said the Snow’s Mill at Lane Creek roundabout will close on or about May 23 for up to 90 days for construction. Officials described that as an approximate window and said crews hope to finish sooner. The county also reported awards, right-of-way work and design schedules for several other projects, including a roundabout at New High Shoals and Union Church Road (award expected June 3), a project at Astondale and Colin Perry Road (right-of-way work and utility coordination; bid expected by September, award around Oct. 1), and design contracts for SR-53 at Coal Springs and Klotfelters.

State Department of Transportation projects were also discussed. The county said Archer Western was assigned the construction contract for the Jimmy Daniel/Berger Link connector and that major work is expected to begin in August. Staff said the Athens-area 441 widening project from Morgan Candle Line to Bishop is in right-of-way work with construction forecast for 2028.

A near-term closure: county staff announced the Barber Creek bridge replacement on Lot Fell Road will trigger a closure or detour that affects travel between state Route 53 and U.S. 78 on Kloepfelter Road beginning June 2.

Public safety and requests: resident speakers asked whether temporary stop signs or additional enforcement could be used at specific local intersections while long-term improvements proceed. The county replied that stop signs require an engineering warrant and referenced Federal Highway guidance on unsignaled stop installations.

Ending: County staff said multiple projects remain in design and right-of-way stages and that more detailed construction timelines will be released as contracts are awarded and utility coordination is completed.","Oconee County staff detailed multiple road projects and schedule impacts at the town hall, including a roundabout closure starting May 23, several design contracts, and a June bridge detour affecting Kloepfelter Road.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6564224,"Residents urge county to expand fields and tennis courts as Dawson Park design advances",2225,928000,3153000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3296243-ba8118650b832b638f7155eaa94accfe&start=928&end=3153","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3296243-ba8118650b832b638f7155eaa94accfe/thumbnail_928000.jpg","/articles/6564224/Oconee-County/Georgia/Residents-urge-county-to-expand-fields-and-tennis-courts-as-Dawson-Park-design-advances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564224-9a021f688b612f4c9822045d57e01813/orig.mp4?Expires=1770412536&Signature=eGv7rHFJsIj9ltOZfCzXubomJondCxKl4DiNQTlB4wYTpgIe9Mv4YK55Gw8TqdizXkiAZTfpfrgVXcJ7NAxjcIBbQlv5bLy6R9Sod~6D1os0-eWtiy1qWMNmLAdlUGiVD6H8LhRCM7GhHKJ1don7E-RYOMZV5K9Dl9vK7WvPCcrO3bIdzBSo-eVp~pJodTnfUnKiQKVdiwG0xJa7MkoVnGwZhINaZMwRMs0v041o-q2xnnrc3p1sCiPbrWaWbs-GHO5sWulxajZBu~M2ubV-PcVXryK0OmBYxl8vSyfNlTJe8eQh2B7oTl21TohHtBLgMtRr-IY9~WUiFK0PWI4qHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oconee County residents and youth-sports organizers pressed county leaders on Thursday for expanded indoor courts and additional outdoor fields as the county advances design work for Dawson Park.

The most frequent requests came from parents and program leaders who said local travel and feeder leagues lack practice and game space. “We have wait lists where we’re having to turn kids away,” said Taylor Dodd, owner of Tall Sox Tennis, which holds the county tennis contract. Multiple speakers urged the county to deliver more than the four additional courts currently under discussion.

The comments came during a broader parks update from county staff and an extended public-comment period. County staff said parts of the Dawson Park program remain in design and that work on site buildings is intended to be bid-ready by the end of the first quarter of 2026. Carter Engineering, staff said, was awarded the design contract for the gym and field services building at Wendell and Betty Dawson Park and is coordinating with water-resources and traffic engineers on utility decommissioning and access improvements.

Why it matters: residents and small nonprofits say current capacity limits force youth teams to practice outside the county or use nonideal spaces such as baseball outfields or church fields. That raises scheduling problems and costs for families; speakers also said deliveries of tournament business and hotel stays are a potential economic benefit if facilities can host events.

What residents said: Philip Bernard, a Watkinsville resident and parent, urged the county to account for children who participate in independent feeder leagues and travel teams that “aren’t counted in any of the numbers that you all see.” Wesley Scott, president of Oconee County Little League, said the league’s scheduling strain reflects a lack of usable field time for the many teams now registered. Morgan Anders, a youth soccer club coach, noted his club travels out of county to tournaments and asked whether Oconee could host tournaments instead.

Tennis-specific requests were the most frequent single ask. Several speakers urged the county to build more than the four new courts that had been discussed publicly. “The extra 24 courts would be fantastic,” said Susan McKinney, a recreational player who told the board she had talked with tennis players statewide who would travel to a larger facility. Terry Gattacker, who described himself as a former Oconee County High School teacher and assistant tennis coach, said Oconee lost access to about 20 high-school courts when school facilities changed and noted the county’s existing eight-court OVP complex sees heavy use.

County constraints and next steps: staff told attendees that design choices and grant offers affect final scope and cost. A county representative said the current goal for the indoor-tennis design is to reach eight total courts if funding allows, but cost and public appetite for debt will determine whether construction is phased. The county also said it received a tennis-association grant that required staff to re-evaluate surface, fencing and other specifications; the exact grant amounts discussed in the session were not specified in the transcript.

Several speakers urged public–private partnerships and local fundraising to close gaps. Jason Bragg and Eric Gattiger, both on the Oconee Parks Foundation board, told commissioners their foundation stands ready to support fundraising and volunteer efforts for park projects.

What was not decided: the county did not adopt a construction contract or approve a final budget for Dawson Park at the meeting. Officials said they would return with value-engineering figures, final cost estimates and options for phasing projects once design work and grant evaluations conclude.

Ending: Residents left the meeting urging faster timelines and clear funding plans; county staff reiterated that further details and cost estimates will be available once design consultants complete scope and value-engineering work and that public input will continue to shape the final proposals.","At an Oconee County town hall in May, residents and organized youth-sports leaders pressed county officials for more indoor courts, outdoor fields and faster progress on Dawson Park while county staff described design timelines and funding constraints.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County announces budget hearing, Jimmy Daniel site closure, SeeClickFix and upcoming elections

County outlines road work and closures including upcoming roundabout construction and a June bridge detour

Residents urge county to expand fields and tennis courts as Dawson Park design advances