[{"_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",6199715,"mediaKeyId","3824277-b8f2bad02cc8b2135d2aa3ee700a6aef","parentId",3824277,"title","Resident complains contractors damaged road and cemetery access; city staff say they will follow up","audioSeconds",469,"startMs",594000,"endMs",1063000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824277-b8f2bad02cc8b2135d2aa3ee700a6aef&start=594&end=1063","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824277-b8f2bad02cc8b2135d2aa3ee700a6aef/thumbnail_594000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6199715/Walnut-Grove/Walton-County/Georgia/Resident-complains-contractors-damaged-road-and-cemetery-access-city-staff-say-they-will-follow-up","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199715-870f91afbeecf93ca81c18f2d584f3e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775989691&Signature=YjH1IN-tS-qZnNgLEq-TldsqXPiN9OMOtBMoq0BNSjJVtryG3KRROKm3vSjT6SGnypvYzJ5yTEw8Kepi3~7nDpR4q2X7y-m6PVRMJMaiTpDyvf~wYCH1TrIrkCo2xAA6JMIViMpW-xP-qRQS1Vc6DEj8s~649CTnBpbQsZ8t0x2iRYLWJaxbnPTDRye21ukNvjKkf47V-UEC5mi~NC47B99BYUvMTX6gwFyYkbMgvVIADM3l4TU-7RI8EMnPcAm-FVvj1noDyUQlQ2xDUgmouTNVm6WixOzrqDn9N2uf9XXWB4HFg74mzwPQd8G-y1K9JO6jBYdDfklVYevIrorASA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-13T19:04:28Z","article","A Walnut Grove resident told the City Council that work by contractors on a nearby project caused damage to local roads and to Poster Cemetery and that required signs and address numbers were missing after installation.

John Nyle, who gave his address as Poster Cemetery, said contractors working since the fall had parked on private property, driven over the middle of a roadway, and created piles and loose millings that are now breaking apart. He said one truck later removed his street \"reverse\" (likely a street sign or marker) and that signs installed for fire-and-rescue locating lacked address numbers on the back, limiting visibility for emergency responders.

Nyle also said large trucks had difficulty turning into the site and that some equipment was present past the city's 7 p.m. curfew. He said the issues affected private property and city right-of-way; staff told him they had mailed and installed locator signs but would follow up to address missing numbers and other damage.

Public works manager Brian and other staff reported that public-works crews have been monitoring construction subcontractors and addressing problems as they arise, and they acknowledged that some trenches, parts and small items had more hiccups than expected. Staff said they are working to ensure safety and compliance and that they will coordinate further with the contractor to limit impacts on residents.

Council directed staff to continue oversight and to follow up with the resident and with contractors; staff indicated they would consult with other departments as necessary to resolve access, signage and damage-repair issues. No formal enforcement action or fine was recorded on the meeting minutes during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","06/12/2025 Council Meeting 6:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","A resident told council that contractors working on a nearby project caused road and cemetery damage, including damage to a street ‘reverse’ and missing address numbers on signs; staff said they mailed and installed signs and will investigate access and curfew issues.","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},6199719,"Business owner and city staff dispute permit for deer processing and taxidermy; staff to review zoning and attorney letter",1135,927000,2062000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824277-b8f2bad02cc8b2135d2aa3ee700a6aef&start=927&end=2062","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824277-b8f2bad02cc8b2135d2aa3ee700a6aef/thumbnail_927000.jpg","/articles/6199719/Walnut-Grove/Walton-County/Georgia/Business-owner-and-city-staff-dispute-permit-for-deer-processing-and-taxidermy-staff-to-review-zoning-and-attorney-letter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199719-738d955fac786f905c7e5cd572e85c84/orig.mp4?Expires=1775989691&Signature=Jom6QEBciUTVPjNynOaFDckXdQJYrjU9oQcjugPWYLWnmDVKaWX6YX8gLkeaMUaECuDFQtk4tFTmIVAhld5~VUi3U1d0OBOEWJEm0zbYw73EPz0rWRa78X~lwieweyA9rHvghsmRHIoaaWaEIEJbQPf8UCIUdaeYbfxQ1A~BMydgvM400ekmRWaUl9zdJsq0zk4jeLQQMUS5cuz~Q7lVkf9JLa3Vvo8nQbZAEhyfS0Rz6oKvQF94H6nUJ236zrX9a4gaZdgjYKiOvBnSgQ6ZM36Co86jdPtm4gJ35K0Z9Db-I23lWSLG9iQROl~syVm-8g0Z8MYitaCj0l9Ys~~tXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Walnut Grove resident seeking authorization to run a deer-processing and taxidermy business told the council she believed a prior mayor had approved her license, but city staff said the current zoning does not allow taxidermy and that the previous licensing was incorrect.

The applicant, who identified herself in the meeting as Monia Mamou, said she invested roughly $100,000 in equipment and has repeatedly tried to renew or obtain a business license for deer processing and taxidermy. She told council she had state-level interactions and was told by some inspectors she was not regulated by the local office, and she asked the council for assistance.

City staff responded that the application on file lists taxidermy and deer processing and that the application was denied because the property is not zoned for that use. Staff said the city attorney previously wrote the applicant explaining options, including applying for rezoning or permitting through the appropriate commercial zoning process. Staff also said they had contacted the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in researching the matter.

The mayor and staff told the applicant the city would take another look at the application, review the attorney correspondence and the zoning status, and follow up with her. No formal license was granted at the meeting and no rezoning action was taken; staff said the applicant must pursue the rezoning or other formal route if she wants to locate the business on the property in question.

The exchange included repeated clarifications from staff that while the applicant may have received a license in the past, that prior approval was not consistent with zoning and was therefore not a lawful basis to continue the use without appropriate rezoning or permit approvals. The applicant said she would pursue follow-up with the office and the DNR and that she sought a solution that would allow her to operate legally.","A local resident seeking a business license for deer processing and taxidermy told council she was told previously she could operate; staff said zoning does not allow taxidermy and that the applicant must pursue rezoning or another permit pathway. Council and staff said they will review the application and consult the city attorney and DNR.",{"_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},6199724,"Council debate centers on whether Walnut Grove should keep city-funded garbage service",499,1857000,2356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824277-b8f2bad02cc8b2135d2aa3ee700a6aef&start=1857&end=2356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824277-b8f2bad02cc8b2135d2aa3ee700a6aef/thumbnail_1857000.jpg","/articles/6199724/Walnut-Grove/Walton-County/Georgia/Council-debate-centers-on-whether-Walnut-Grove-should-keep-city-funded-garbage-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199724-0256232461a3459c30a6ec2435c9013e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775989691&Signature=mn7wa0P1y26PaCkXEx4K6z3EpH---zI491O3cqhAmC0eptTOkVajfHkxT~2PkpUuZz5-n8gr~Wa7UvKm0~hc1mvyd5yxGqO0mQCs~SHRBXhpSG7j~IX8sDfKbD7mdmBnlEaZy5OwQmaTBiKvT9m7TpkXOtUvQKNPYG7ZRrBQEfJESQx0J0pb~ZihdE4xZSyDXcTMK1QqfatsBse0dXwzoxUnNuHLiSy-wuBfeTyYaK7Ley8Oun1qZoON3lp8C3osd3VSPvX7ERShb~VnEB0wPV6OdD34q76gAeHLwc5fQ3xSy0xVCkgLlVH1h9pJgGhcuanFyiIBKuWRxbgML0F7Tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Walnut Grove City Council members debated whether residential sanitation should remain a city-funded service or be left to households to arrange and pay for on their own.

Council member Linda Pilgrim said she would not support reversing a prior promise to residents to provide garbage service and voted against the fiscal year 2026 budget because of that concern. Other council members said they heard from residents who preferred a lower property tax base and the option of obtaining private sanitation service rather than funding city-wide sanitation through taxes.

Mayor Morris and other council members explained that the adopted budget seeks to reduce the requested property-tax revenue compared with prior years — a step they said was intended, in part, to offset household expenses if sanitation moves to individual arrangements. No ordinance or formal policy change to sanitation service was adopted at the meeting; the action taken was adoption of the budget and a budget-resolution vote.

Councilors said they would continue to discuss the issue and that staff and the city attorney would be involved in follow-up to outline implementation steps if the administration proceeds with removing sanitation from city-funded services. The council noted that the June 26 work session will tackle heavy items and could include follow-up discussions.

The council did not record a separate motion specifically to remove sanitation service; the vote recorded at the meeting was on the fiscal year 2026 budget (approved 3–1).","Council members debated removing sanitation from city expenses and shifting costs to residents; council adopted the budget as presented after discussion, with a recorded 3–1 vote against by one member.",{"_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},6199729,"Walnut Grove council approves fiscal 2026 budget after debate over sanitation costs",270,2210000,2480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824277-b8f2bad02cc8b2135d2aa3ee700a6aef&start=2210&end=2480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824277-b8f2bad02cc8b2135d2aa3ee700a6aef/thumbnail_2210000.jpg","/articles/6199729/Walnut-Grove/Walton-County/Georgia/Walnut-Grove-council-approves-fiscal-2026-budget-after-debate-over-sanitation-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199729-c940cbc124c0f2ae7bc505770ffc84c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775989691&Signature=e4Xm0B9GUDq-Qdmx2KzorI24eIlT72JshyK9IAmXmkm9nHD7BJqhfzIUN-TzHvdAHY3PBgn4srwfTqLbd~EqgsGOXSsZp2uJs457jfXXZ5J9EXlNhMeMEkiB9Mx2sTMnr9TrCpGcSfhU6mNy3qFxAPRr168djHTGqR~k2PB2YRF-1olvff8A3MDT1LHfvNwbloo52cAvdXBZdcWgpaFrm8MEcyWSvS34sFgGWZF0nKlQE0KypQ01J4Ew5TYx2vN6TEr6~0YwGXLPYVep7ghQ7s76LRcX0h9NDXXm8LsnsetS4nqiAKxrvshezLdsgRbo4jQb2BbMN2jG4P-1lreB2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Walnut Grove City Council approved the fiscal year 2026 budget and formally passed Budget Resolution 2025-03 after a session that included debate about whether the city should continue paying for residential garbage collection.

The budget passed with council members Maxine McLean, Erica Miles and Rachel Davis voting in favor and council member Linda Pilgrim voting against, according to the roll call recorded at the meeting. A later vote on Budget Resolution 2025-03 was moved and approved in the same meeting.

Council and staff said the adopted spending plan reduces the amount of property tax revenue requested from residents compared with recent years. Mayor Morris said the general property tax ask for the coming year will be $332,000, down from $365,000 in a prior year and slightly lower than two years ago. Council members discussed that lowering the tax ask was intended to offset other household charges that may be shifted to residents.

Opponents and supporters framed the sanitation issue differently. Council member Linda Pilgrim said she would not approve “going back on a promise to the citizens to take care of the garbage” and voted against the budget as presented. Other council members said many residents prefer an approach that has households obtain their own sanitation service rather than the city bearing the cost via taxes; one council member said several neighbors expressed understanding and support for that approach.

City staff described the budget resolution as a formalization of the budget approval and explained it replicates the presented fiscal plan. Jay, a staff member who spoke to council about the resolution, said the resolution formalizes the approved budget and related attachments. No separate ordinance or new sanitation policy was adopted during the meeting; council actions at the session were the budget approval and the budget-resolution vote.

Council members and staff reminded the public that the council’s June 26 work session will have a heavy agenda and that staff will follow up on specific budget questions and implementation matters in the coming weeks.

Questions about schedule and next steps were directed to city administration and the city attorney for follow-up.","Walnut Grove City Council approved the fiscal year 2026 budget and a companion budget resolution after debate about shifting sanitation costs from the city to residents and trimming property tax requests.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident complains contractors damaged road and cemetery access; city staff say they will follow up

Business owner and city staff dispute permit for deer processing and taxidermy; staff to review zoning and attorney letter

Council debate centers on whether Walnut Grove should keep city-funded garbage service

Walnut Grove council approves fiscal 2026 budget after debate over sanitation costs