[{"_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",6542230,"mediaKeyId","3655831-1d139aa163f558f786163073ff8d1caa","parentId",3655831,"title","Residents urge action on dangerous county roads after fatality; commissioners review speed-sign data","audioSeconds",731,"startMs",377000,"endMs",1108000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3655831-1d139aa163f558f786163073ff8d1caa&start=377&end=1108","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3655831-1d139aa163f558f786163073ff8d1caa/thumbnail_377000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6542230/Oconee-County/Georgia/Residents-urge-action-on-dangerous-county-roads-after-fatality-commissioners-review-speed-sign-data","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542230-d3190286e340b64cc27a481fda5751e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773623396&Signature=OFE-3iGr4Vh-E2dx7CwsFBeU7FXR55Qi9fOLeD8dqH17Mzm1IC4Sw7GH30GaGmeUbldakW7ThIo1D8eXng4LEHE9uBP1T3gllmBCqqRGWvDkJTLz6XQ4GmkfKazpSpACnHxGZqw9YfsH3S427bNzk-iMlmfoxAVxcjq1HAvQH2ri~uszZk8sFgqwFyouRbMf4Echmdyl7PV3t14n0JNKL0RkKanvAn0nMDTSCjt9S7AUw817Lvs~Q~jNLYZ~UGc0q4H-c-0qqXntgtAuOnNQ-oEsIPOvN~yMw72GrC37UxCd83mo7O5d1ECEA-NSgoeK4v4uw4f4d0fO4ifDo04dCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oconee County","date","2025-06-04T12:29:26Z","article","Residents told the Oconee County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday that speeding and poor visibility on several rural roads are creating a public-safety threat that contributed to a recent fatal crash. Commissioners and county staff described recent traffic monitoring and said they are pursuing right-of-way work and further study of speed limits and traffic controls.

At the start of the meeting Jeff Morgan, a resident of Watson Springs Road, described frequent speeding on Colm/Cullin Ferry Road, vehicle operators passing on blind hills and a risk from livestock on the roadside. “If somebody's going 80 miles an hour … and they hit a cow, it's gonna be tragic,” Morgan said. His wife, Jenny Morgan, said a son was killed three months earlier and urged the county to act: “I'm begging you. Don't put somebody else's family through what I've been through.”

The exchange moved into the commission’s staff briefing, where county staff summarized two short trials of radar speed-display signs. The first test, with flashing lights, ran May 7–11 and recorded 3,022 vehicles at one sign location; 611 vehicles (20%) traveled 5–9 mph over the posted limit and none were recorded at 10 mph or more over. A second sign during that same test recorded 4,307 vehicles with 744 (17%) between 5–9 mph over the limit; the 80th-percentile speed was about 64 mph and the average speed near 54 mph at those sites. A later non-flashing test (May 21–25) showed similar patterns: one sign saw 3,395 vehicles with 733 (22%) 5–9 mph over the limit, the other recorded 4,763 vehicles with 799 in that 5–9 mph range; 80th-percentile speeds were 63–64 mph.

County staff told commissioners they are using those counts to evaluate whether a lower posted speed would be appropriate and enforceable on the corridor. Commissioners also said they are finishing right-of-way acquisition for intersection work at Astondale and hope to bid that intersection improvement in September. A commissioner encouraged residents to meet with the sheriff’s office; the sheriff’s office had not yet connected with the Morgans, one commissioner said.

The public comments and staff data prompted no formal vote at the meeting. Commissioners approved routine agenda items and moved onto zoning business after the discussion.

County staff and commissioners said follow-up steps include completing right-of-way acquisition for the Astondale intersection, continuing the speed sign monitoring and studying whether a reduced speed limit is feasible while maintaining enforceability. Staff did not provide a schedule for a final decision on a speed-limit change.

For residents seeking direct follow-up, a commissioner said the sheriff’s office would meet with the Morgans to discuss enforcement and possible next steps.

The exchange combined public comment and a staff traffic update; commissioners did not adopt an immediate rule change at the meeting but described ongoing studies and forthcoming construction work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOC Regular Meeting June 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents told the Oconee County Board of Commissioners that speeding, blind hills and poor roadside visibility on Colm/Cullin Ferry Road are creating a persistent safety hazard after a recent fatal crash.","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},6542221,"Votes at a glance: Oconee County commissioners approve budget, contracts, appointments and capital projects",214,3122000,3336000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3655831-1d139aa163f558f786163073ff8d1caa&start=3122&end=3336","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3655831-1d139aa163f558f786163073ff8d1caa/thumbnail_3122000.jpg","/articles/6542221/Oconee-County/Georgia/Votes-at-a-glance-Oconee-County-commissioners-approve-budget-contracts-appointments-and-capital-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542221-8424dc630ba22aae36200623a0c2ab94/orig.mp4?Expires=1773623396&Signature=UxTm4NpOEY4TreYVHoSlPznYsKd8vYgem~qy3j0WvOrnJS4vwOlrm2rEUTRJMZnSstZM908Jzq1ggmesRD2rn8511Ax9KfIDzwKfvCbQJ-BrsKeQSw4IiWSDxwp-AWtLcVAv7DYAi5WqwbvseAc--eqy8lO8F5PhpgMcAoKv7eHxWLkT8Nff8r8Iosn-M19xL6tVa7NxKTLF~82cB0ZtB~ZzXIwUCprGGf2~IWdhH3dokqGtZAXRFktn0mIUx0XK-etDipXuvKcobq-TE394E5-FJtWjQOmqeZ~wb0Bac-CRTlGDRNwH85FnRYnndlbioV9QOKDguBDyWzeRCV1S2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oconee County Board of Commissioners recorded a series of formal actions Tuesday on the consent agenda and individual items, including adoption of the FY26 budget, contract awards, intergovernmental agreements and multiple board appointments.

Key actions recorded by motion and voice vote:

- Adopted FY26 budget and fee schedule. The board recorded a general-fund budget of $45,704,250 and a total budget across all funds of $83,700,551; the board stated there is no tax increase based on the estimated digest. No further amendments were reported at the meeting.

- Grounds maintenance contract award. The board awarded grounds maintenance (county property mowing excluding roadside mowing) to Hausman for $618,987.19 with an additional $56,006.75 budget for as-needed mowing. The contract is one year with up to four automatic renewals.

- Roundabout construction award. The board awarded ITB 25-04-018 for construction of a roundabout at New High Shoals Road and Union Church Road to CMC Inc., the lowest responsive bidder, at $740,267.49. Project budget set at $755,363.49 to include geotechnical testing and permitting costs; the project will be funded through local/regional allocations previously approved by the board and Georgia DOT funds. Contract duration specified at 180 days after notice to proceed; the contractor must begin within 14 days of notice.

- Ratification of right-of-way donations to the Georgia Department of Transportation to support corridor/intersection improvements tied to a state project.

- Ratification of an IGA for professional financial services between Oconee County and the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority. The authority will compensate the county $1,500 per month, billed quarterly, for up to five years to support project financial reporting and pay-application work.

- Insurance renewal. The board approved FY26 property and liability renewal with ACCG IRMA with coverage unchanged, a $10,000 deductible and a premium of $439,156 after a $23,114 FY25 safety credit.

- Appointments. The board made multiple appointments by motion: Jeffrey B. Watson to the Oconee County Board of Tax Assessors (term to 3/31/2028); Linda Lindstrom and Amy Hartlet to the County Animal Service Advisory Board; Stan Ruth to the Family and Children’s Services Board (term 7/1/2025–6/30/2030); appointments to the Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission (Judy Pope, John Lawson, Angela Young, Ashley Sorrels, Amara Andros); and appointments to the Tourism and Visitors Bureau (Stephanie Van Dyke, Disha Hagwood, Casey Deming, Amber McCall Deutsch) with terms noted in staff materials.

- Consent agenda. The board approved the consent agenda as submitted.

Motions were carried by voice vote on each item; the meeting transcript records “Aye” and “Motion carries” for these actions but did not include a roll-call tally with individual commissioner votes. Staff presentations cited available funding sources for the roundabout (including previously approved LRA/Georgia DOT funds) and said right-of-way closings are in process for that project. For the grounds-maintenance contract, staff indicated that necessary budget amendments would be included for the life of the contract.","At its June meeting the board approved the FY26 budget and fee schedule, awarded contracts for grounds maintenance and a roundabout, ratified an IGA with the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority, approved insurance renewal and made multiple board appointments.",{"_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},6542225,"Oconee commissioners approve rezoning and two front-yard variance requests with conditions",1353,1287000,2640000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3655831-1d139aa163f558f786163073ff8d1caa&start=1287&end=2640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3655831-1d139aa163f558f786163073ff8d1caa/thumbnail_1287000.jpg","/articles/6542225/Oconee-County/Georgia/Oconee-commissioners-approve-rezoning-and-two-front-yard-variance-requests-with-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542225-fa5895172636a0ff88f496f18adb75f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773623396&Signature=CLWDNEouT9yBSIeuC6BzMwq4xLQX37luR53I06Bi06-gmpO5RJuHRdz2~8QteHEZtlrvEtCfEnil~gccuNuv0vu9LFuUBjtAtl4auEqtFMbZjHh3mu8YGc97Lmowls63ud4Cv3FMCgIOe77P545xe8U4q0aE6ylnjwYKc8O3J9mGVuArNHQJG7kaAy7IzvO7x2JWzadH9z-MWMw52h5k3K2DAzSYwXm-AGp~Ebh1QHe54wuJsM0YG0Jr2HNPgYuSqHZ9Ipzo4ZrapKo~Jr4A8YMtFn5Vr6nTvs0P6oWgG987xlhne0XfUz0PoqBedvgKmtOWSuIHm0OL6g8ZhYiREQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oconee County Board of Commissioners approved a rezoning and granted two variance requests tied to a proposed detached garage at 1011 Barnett Drive during its June meeting.

The board approved rezoning request P25-0039, changing 10 acres at 1488 Old Bishop Road from Agricultural (AG) to AR-3 residential zoning. Planning staff said the change preserves the overall density of the parcel and recommended conditional approval with the two standard staff conditions; the planning commission had made the same recommendation. A motion to approve the rezoning passed without recorded opposition.

On a separate matter the board considered variance requests P24-0255 and P25-0078 from property owner Susan Chamberlain. The first request sought to reduce the required private freestanding garage setback from 200 feet to roughly 34.4 feet along Barnett Shoals Drive and 38.1 feet along Barnett Drive. The second sought a front-yard setback reduction from 40 feet to 34.4 feet along South Barnett Shoals. Planning staff recommended conditional approval and added that the property owner must restore a roadside swale that had been removed during tree clearing; restoration must satisfy public works before building permits can be issued. Opponents and nearby residents, including Eric Starkey of 1020 Barnett Drive, raised concerns about drainage, standing water, erosion and possible septic impacts across the road.

Commissioner discussion addressed maintenance of the subdivision’s sheet-flow drainage (the neighborhood lacks curb-and-gutter), the need for swale restoration and whether a homeowners association existed (staff said none). Commissioners added a third condition to the P24-0255 approval requiring evergreen vegetation along the road right-of-ways for screening; the board applied the same conditions to P25-0078 and approved both variances. The board specified that any required ditch/swale restoration would be completed at the Chamberlains’ expense before permit issuance.

The approvals were recorded by motion and voice vote; commissioners did not enumerate individual vote names on the record. The planning staff record and the recorded plat were entered into the application packet for both the rezoning and the variance requests.","The board approved rezoning of a 10-acre parcel from AG to AR-3 and granted two variances for a proposed detached garage at 1011 Barnett Drive with a requirement to restore a roadside swale and install evergreen screening.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge action on dangerous county roads after fatality; commissioners review speed-sign data

Votes at a glance: Oconee County commissioners approve budget, contracts, appointments and capital projects

Oconee commissioners approve rezoning and two front-yard variance requests with conditions