[{"_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",6228299,"mediaKeyId","3476226-34d42ddf5ee096cec0b449ef93e794eb","parentId",3476226,"title","Pickens County declines Dawson County 800 MHz MOU until compatible system in place","audioSeconds",266,"startMs",4191000,"endMs",4457000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3476226-34d42ddf5ee096cec0b449ef93e794eb&start=4191&end=4457","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3476226-34d42ddf5ee096cec0b449ef93e794eb/thumbnail_4191000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6228299/Pickens-County/Georgia/Pickens-County-declines-Dawson-County-800-MHz-MOU-until-compatible-system-in-place","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228299-4ea53030762404300bc206e954e3d12e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968186&Signature=ZdJoKt9vWKJXMSqh8YsKAKeBM5bkbVpMmDxQD6LOTyMISv23po0PonEs3R4cSIWGqdqTxfbZcGrYKxfQ2t-vKDckRNqlZZCssfEm301LFFqn9PN7q~X6zMz4du3BNuCy1TTQ~cXZ9SODX8ImzevIALsTcH9wWO30DFjZKd9IQyCJ9hxSt24-7Cqcl25sNdOe6t~c4WqwGuV848dbjVho7bI9Nsuw9IyVFgHsYfCtm-czTjqguSmaLd9yd5~3SqIJ18KoCuVjmm-2umFtzIqKjsYTGT9uRJvh-aKvTrMrxUo2sGkt1favjenFcGqlK-HIUsODawN~pAxmCjqnCzqrOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-23T15:42:30Z","article","The Board of Commissioners voted not to sign a proposed memorandum of understanding with Dawson County concerning 800 MHz radio trunking talk groups. The MOU would allow interoperable talk-group access if both counties operated compatible 800 MHz systems.

County staff briefed the board that Dawson County is converting to an 800 MHz trunked radio system and requested MOUs with neighboring counties to permit shared talk groups. Staff noted Pickens County does not operate on an 800 MHz system and currently has only a few radios programmed for Cherokee County trunk groups; therefore, the county would not realize the MOU's intended interoperability benefits until it upgrades its own system.

\"With us not having one in place, I don't see the necessity for this MOU at this time,\" Chairman Chris said. He moved that the county not sign the MOU now so the county does not commit to terms it cannot implement. The board voted to decline execution of the MOU and directed staff to revisit interoperability agreements if the county later upgrades to an 800 MHz trunked system.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pickens County Board of Commissioners | May 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Pickens County commissioners opted not to sign a memorandum of understanding with Dawson County regarding 800 MHz radio trunking talk groups because Pickens does not currently operate on an 800 MHz system; staff said the county can revisit the MOU if and when it upgrades its radio infrastructure.","taxTitle","Pickens County, Georgia","taxId",55054,"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},6228304,"Pickens County approves multiple rezones and conditional-use permits, with conditions on noise and attendance",1656,3124000,4780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3476226-34d42ddf5ee096cec0b449ef93e794eb&start=3124&end=4780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3476226-34d42ddf5ee096cec0b449ef93e794eb/thumbnail_3124000.jpg","/articles/6228304/Pickens-County/Georgia/Pickens-County-approves-multiple-rezones-and-conditional-use-permits-with-conditions-on-noise-and-attendance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228304-4f80cd057ca4c1896399b335fd91142e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968186&Signature=Rb2ebAoM2gj8TdxLh09E4nxzTk9o04mTg2Iss9HfG8J8p7Ni9PhIpZQfjH2zNrDJ40YGCcCwe6oFq36icqtCAiHfp3~VTpt4ihxYmULjLYpPpcXShpzd-w4cswfEk065XcZEdBFDZ3bV~hieK~MgmVY9EsKXbArseJloi00OBdagoy4-YRnMFcV98FAeRCQLV8~Ip9adL20HMsHQlBZ~WEHWvaoGSDEh5KrkVC1NwEk9E74mMZLiv4h3te3jBlF-DDV6xHidY476rKuQ98FmvSpDEbQPtn2Ds9Nt-c61oiM1lYD2f11jCwXR09Biuct9FdiCCZXTYeuyIBndJg87qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pickens County Board of Commissioners acted on multiple rezoning and conditional-use items that had been reviewed by the Planning Commission. Decisions included both approvals (with conditions) and denials following the commission's recommendations.

A previously tabled rezoning (RZ190878 for Abbas Al Sahedi) to rezone a 19.84-acre parcel to State Residential was denied following the planning commission's recommendation (the planning commission had voted 0-4 against the request). The board voted to follow the planning commission and deny the rezoning.

Several other rezones were approved following the planning commission recommendations: a one-acre addition to create a three-acre estate residential lot (RZ190909) was approved (planning commission 6-0 in favor), and a two-parcel rezone for a 7-lot subdivision (Rowan; RZ190??) was approved after the planning commission's 6-0 recommendation.

Conditional-use permits approved included a large property operated by Pools Farm LLC (Dan Poole) for events such as JeepFest, rodeo weekends, model airplane club and church-sponsored events. The planning commission recommended approval with conditions; the board approved the permit and added a condition restricting amplified noise overnight. Commissioners clarified that amplified sound would be prohibited from dusk until dawn except during the designated rodeo and JeepFest weekends; the parties discussed a specific start time for permitted amplified activity on event mornings.

Another conditional-use permit for an event space by Kevin and Karen Smith (834 Whirley Crossroads) was approved with applicant-proposed conditions limiting class sizes, event hours and music. Conditions included twice-monthly cooking classes on Saturdays with up to 12 participants; sunset yoga sessions limited to weekends with a maximum of 20 attendees; farm tours limited to three times per week during daytime hours; and vintage market days in October with no overnight lodging, limited vendor food sales and live music allowed only until 10 p.m. All alcoholic beverage sales were prohibited at that event site under the applicant's conditions.

Planning staff and the planning commission reviewed each application and provided recommendations; the board followed the planning commission on each matter, adopting the recommended approvals and denials and appending the noise/time limitation for the Pools Farm permit.","The Board followed planning commission recommendations on several zoning matters: denied a 19.84-acre rezoning for a 3-lot subdivision, approved multiple rezonings and conditional-use permits including limits on amplified noise and event hours for outdoor uses.",{"_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},6228308,"Pickens County adopts new finance ordinance, certifies estimated rollback rate and elevates CFO to director",660,3239000,3899000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3476226-34d42ddf5ee096cec0b449ef93e794eb&start=3239&end=3899","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3476226-34d42ddf5ee096cec0b449ef93e794eb/thumbnail_3239000.jpg","/articles/6228308/Pickens-County/Georgia/Pickens-County-adopts-new-finance-ordinance-certifies-estimated-rollback-rate-and-elevates-CFO-to-director","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228308-9572a862f0bf0ae7f8b14c22e1cfc4d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968187&Signature=HqMoKOtqAGJEjfihMVw7J-tNJFxlvrDYHa1fpLf3YcaTMP7Fyx5mWW~zSN~zTO6kxx~5j80YN~zGefyz41rv4uppQHbi2K8NkiBr1MNqD5zmdL7ksWWTSqWgwU~HR3qG0-omn3YxrPykbJbcCsGKG1OeDYtQO8WBYzseiyb7gNsLG3Mkv9HL3ECIgxXVbj9E~jROh6iY4Ss6H~e9kGwqqFe-7pKfJtYoRqH9Cw78bbKVfTt~t2ogeKkkgxtshX-wNBLe85FDC~IOGCKnRC7w81M6jGYf7scM85IVYw0G2lgybR1hhU93HrzaHvaXlX7QNU377Y4MtMRq3Wn1YA3u1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pickens County commissioners adopted a new finance ordinance establishing Chapter 3 of the county code, certified an estimated rollback rate for property assessment notices and approved reorganizing internal county operations by elevating the chief financial officer to a director position.

Miranda McDowell, the county's chief financial officer, presented the ordinance language that consolidates fiscal-year rules, financial reporting standards, budgeting, fund balance maintenance, revenue administration, audits, procurement protocols, financial assets and debt procedures. McDowell described the ordinance as a step to \"promote fiscal responsibility, enhance transparency, and help prevent mismanagement and overspending.\" McDowell is Chief Financial Officer for Pickens County.

As required under recent state changes to the property assessment and tax-notice process (House Bill 581 and follow-up legislation), the board certified an estimated rollback rate to be included in assessment notices. The board set an estimated net maintenance and operation rollback rate of 7.234 mills to be certified to the county tax commissioner and chief tax appraiser; staff said the certified figure is preliminary and the board will return to set the official millage after the final digest is received.

As part of internal reorganization, the board approved a resolution elevating the CFO to Director of Internal Operations. The new director position will oversee finance, human resources, building and grounds, payroll, risk management, EMS billing and information technology. The county also retained directors for public safety and external operations; the airport will fall under external operations for administrative purposes.

Commissioners approved the finance ordinance and the organizational resolution in separate votes after a public hearing and staff presentations. Chairman Chris said the change \"frees up\" work and puts internal functions under the CFO's direction; McDowell and staff will implement the transition and report on updated internal organization charts.","The Board adopted a new Chapter 3 finance ordinance to codify budgeting, reporting, procurement and audit rules, certified an estimated net maintenance and operation rollback rate of 7.234 mills for assessment notices, and approved elevating the county CFO to Director of Internal Operations.",{"_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},6228313,"Pickens County creates airport advisory board, appoints initial members and declines state fence contract for now",2900,600000,3500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3476226-34d42ddf5ee096cec0b449ef93e794eb&start=600&end=3500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3476226-34d42ddf5ee096cec0b449ef93e794eb/thumbnail_600000.jpg","/articles/6228313/Pickens-County/Georgia/Pickens-County-creates-airport-advisory-board-appoints-initial-members-and-declines-state-fence-contract-for-now","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228313-9ea1e07b5236f272f0d3bf2d5eeafa6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968187&Signature=ZpOXcHp0sr3G6L~OruoITt6EkMlKy79LDI1MKf3UJV0WPF0jscU~5AofDPo-9k4rqfQmWo~6bkz-FbJRrNKn-5m40oxL6UV~aeTG~6u8X4hdxH7JZ5wArH4nncJ68SzY80Dt~4q4t5OcV7C5euxJsmdq7q2J4ceTsDeGPrSnSNQNMClkXTFTvmW5e~wrbC9nZ4EZsG34SovvrANrbL4HipQz8Dd2GrkvoQX7IQq19f4F0V8VubNNxhMZrLU8A2cZ63d2nyLepws2oj~DX5YLpSrV5ejgohDhcw7ezW45OOGOMD3c3WPbJGGj~o8-vIATjcNfxJrNM1TJ0MScxaXrAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pickens County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance establishing a seven-member airport advisory board to advise the board on operations at the Pickens County Airport and appointed an initial set of members. The board also decided not to execute a state contract to accept $750,000 in matching Georgia Airport Aid funding for perimeter fencing, citing competing capital priorities.

\"The governor did sign that into law,\" Planning and Development Director Bill Wood said, referring to the state action that dissolved the former Pickens County Airport Authority and returned operational control to the county. Wood described the advisory board as a mechanism for \"competent and qualified advisers\" to guide county oversight of airport operations.

Chairman Chris presented seven recommended initial appointees and asked the board to approve a one-year term for the group's first members. The slate the chairman presented included Mark Christiansen (to serve as chair), Commissioner Josh Tippens (to serve as the county's representative on the advisory board), Tom Gray (pilot), Kevin Wunder (hangar owner), Wallace Reese (pilot), Tim Stanfield (pilot) and Wendell Turner (pilot). The chairman also recommended Stacy McCour be appointed staff secretary to support the board.

The board approved the ordinance establishing the advisory board and approved the recommended initial members. \"I will present my list of seven, so that you can do and then now also in the ordinance, it does state that the board would appoint a secretary to serve,\" the chairman said when introducing the slate.

Separately, commissioners considered a state Department of Transportation contract that would have provided $750,000 in Georgia Airport Aid toward a $1,000,000 perimeter fence project, leaving a local match of $250,000. The state contract would span two fiscal years. After discussion about capital priorities at the airport (including terminal construction and apron work), Chairman Chris moved that the county decline to sign the contract now. \"I personally am of the opinion that we need to focus on what we've got,\" he said. The board voted to decline the contract rather than accept the state funding at this time.

Airport Manager Alexis and county staff were available to implement the advisory board and to manage the next steps for airport capital planning; staff said accepting the state fencing funds would obligate the county to the local share and FAA requirements. The advisory board ordinance requires one advisory seat to be a commissioner and at least three members to be licensed pilots; the newly appointed roster meets those criteria. The advisory board will meet quarterly and will be supported by a staff secretary.","After state law dissolved the county's airport authority, the Pickens County Board of Commissioners created a seven-member airport advisory board, approved initial appointees and voted not to execute a $1 million state fence grant contract to prioritize other airport capital projects.",{"_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},6228319,"Pickens County commissioners adopt major land-use and development code changes",786,910000,1696000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3476226-34d42ddf5ee096cec0b449ef93e794eb&start=910&end=1696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3476226-34d42ddf5ee096cec0b449ef93e794eb/thumbnail_910000.jpg","/articles/6228319/Pickens-County/Georgia/Pickens-County-commissioners-adopt-major-land-use-and-development-code-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228319-b3fc1ff927bde059c366caf2a1a0f31c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968187&Signature=FKPMZNGmZsR3RFIss5zY1uXG2aWpX87Gwf2QnuE0ksNjhV7TAKLtGOOqKMA6iOfpcAjgGj59-7Lw24unyfhVaqxBVsLMBVjpDED61huewTL2DX4e6661lGwFWQVSV7eQ1bPgn0~fn3YvkqjHg3TQe1FTxxRgXq3lGsmwUn~4E8Ua~hXyaKj86UiSbFsMT6uaUzY~SnLjEfd~XJbAdJTQbFeV3z3I4MccSazogdMV~E1a96mfeUxGeK6zoVbT3pPz1cKyvSdQWLCHFoVMwrZgXCtdEz7islxFpNAHrksMEZak9qFfndni9Wk2XuXrtgYeGFvU0gmNco~h5v8Mxfluyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pickens County Board of Commissioners voted on a package of changes to the county's land-use and land-development regulations, approving amendments to Chapter 67 (land use and density districts and map) and Chapter 38 (land development standards) intended to tighten controls on higher-density development in unincorporated Pickens County.

The revisions, presented by Bill Wood of the Planning and Development Department, add 10 new listed land uses, delete two older uses and eliminate one existing land-use intensity district (urban residential). Wood said the changes respond to persistent public feedback about \"overly built up areas\" and are intended to \"protect and preserve the public's safety, health, welfare and quality of life within unincorporated Pickens County.\" Wood is Planning and Development Director for Pickens County.

The package also moves the county toward clearer definitions and procedures: it reduces the threshold separating minor and major subdivisions from seven lots to five to align with state environmental health classifications; removes the outdated term \"mobile homes\" (which County staff said technically referred to units built before June 15, 1976) while retaining rules for manufactured homes; and clarifies how subdivisions are regulated both as land uses and as development standards under Chapter 38.

Commissioners and staff emphasized the proposals are meant to provide \"guardrails\" that preserve rural character while allowing \"desirable growth.\" \"The duty is employ all feasible means within unincorporated Pickens County to deter overly built up areas, to encourage desirable growth,\" Wood said. He described the changes as a phased approach: the current amendments are Phase 1, with additional land-use and land-development material to return for the July meeting.

During public comment several residents asked how the county balances unincorporated planning with municipal decisions, such as annexations or denser development inside Jasper. A commissioner replied that the county's land-use authority applies only to unincorporated territory and that municipalities set policy inside their limits; commissioners said they are attempting to codify practices they already use in votes and administrative reviews.

Commissioners voted to adopt the ordinance amendments to Chapters 38 and 67. The board also discussed enforcement upgrades: staff said the revisions create consistent violation definitions, penalties and remedies across chapters and would make it easier to address continuing violations without having to seek extraordinary judicial remedies.

The board closed the public hearing on the items and approved the ordinances; staff and commissioners said additional, more detailed changes are scheduled for the July meeting. That work will include additional listed uses, reorganizing the use list into categorical groupings (residential, commercial, industrial) and adding a new fire prevention and protection chapter.","The Pickens County Board of Commissioners approved wide-ranging amendments to land-use and land-development chapters intended to curb “overly built-up” development and add clarity to zoning, including new listed uses, changes to subdivision thresholds and enforcement provisions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pickens County declines Dawson County 800 MHz MOU until compatible system in place

Pickens County approves multiple rezones and conditional-use permits, with conditions on noise and attendance

Pickens County adopts new finance ordinance, certifies estimated rollback rate and elevates CFO to director

Pickens County creates airport advisory board, appoints initial members and declines state fence contract for now

Pickens County commissioners adopt major land-use and development code changes