[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6000229,"mediaKeyId","5842796-24e89c32e70ff3d80499ec238012db24","parentId",5842796,"title","Hundreds petition, residents urge board to roll back millage increase at Walton County meeting","audioSeconds",167,"startMs",7233000,"endMs",7400000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842796-24e89c32e70ff3d80499ec238012db24&start=7233&end=7400","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842796-24e89c32e70ff3d80499ec238012db24/thumbnail_7233000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6000229/Walton-County/Georgia/Hundreds-petition-residents-urge-board-to-roll-back-millage-increase-at-Walton-County-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6000229-6660966334206a7b57fc2c2f0265e17a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775152711&Signature=Q0DCz~i7IJgLfvXeWUooJhRexqGZOLwsDrEts-pGBnVG8ejShBulbvWH2MwsKM7BvMRNQyUQDfhcafo4zayCjsH~mlrgnwNOfh86nHkhVjkhLiYzRjp9V85bmVK2N7c5DFBUHTN9Bc7x1a3L8AcJb7rsHsi9jgoODIpa99WMdqxT80E1idnoHOCDvCWOOoADTQjX2Jqr3UCbpi40EZxQBaxF60bkoLQOd3ebGyHzqstYPFOl2gsKELm2sD1Cf~WiIU~i-O8UYTKMZIzwTUg6ug7YjhmxXss~nTsHKvSLRLo4~qxMwE3YKuI~u3mGpuixSBKacrsXH1ucuT4NYchL-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Walton County Georgia Government","date","2025-09-03T00:00:00Z","article","Dozens of Walton County residents used the board’s public comment period Tuesday to urge commissioners to roll back a recent millage-rate increase and to criticize the board’s process and tone.

Gareth Finley, who identified himself as the petition coordinator, told the board that 3,325 residents signed a petition asking the commission to call a special meeting to roll back the millage increase. Finley said petition signers supplied names, addresses and emails and acted because they believe the tax change was implemented without adequate public input.

Multiple speakers criticized the timing and substance of the tax increase and asked the board to reverse it. Speakers included long-time residents and taxpayers who said higher bills would force some seniors and single-income households to cut essentials. Several speakers also questioned specific budget items and procurement choices, including jail costs and outsourcing of medical services. A number of callers urged elected leaders to be more respectful and responsive to constituents.

Natalie Diaz, who read from prepared remarks, asked the board to review conduct she described as insulting and a violation of the county’s code of ethics; she referenced specific code sections on civility and requested formal action. Other speakers pressed for more transparency on development approvals, questioned increases in departmental budgets and called for the commissioners to “listen to the people.”

The board did not take action on the petition during the meeting. Commissioners reminded attendees that the public-comment period is not a question-and-answer session and that speakers are limited to three minutes each.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Commissioners Meeting September 2nd, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Several dozen speakers addressed the board during public comment, citing a 3,325-signature petition calling for a special meeting to roll back a millage increase and criticizing the board’s handling of the tax action and budget priorities.","taxTitle","Walton County, Georgia","taxId",28682,"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},6000235,"Walton County approves multiple rezones and land-use changes, adds buffer and lighting conditions on mini-storage project",924,3255000,4179000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842796-24e89c32e70ff3d80499ec238012db24&start=3255&end=4179","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842796-24e89c32e70ff3d80499ec238012db24/thumbnail_3255000.jpg","/articles/6000235/Walton-County/Georgia/Walton-County-approves-multiple-rezones-and-land-use-changes-adds-buffer-and-lighting-conditions-on-mini-storage-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6000235-7d735d22e143bb6a22ff8e229d5ef36c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775152711&Signature=cHT-7Oh3FXv4vFcOkR7dQmbIlDKXD0wuRpRGfxOMaprwCTRWyIzjfk9F3tLWLLiq0v2qFSla4f8tqxNyTLnqnfJScb7vU-Mp397KbSkgwPBhlMSuL2BkkkawBWrTBjHwb~v2i4STEHo9kKKUCl327Z9Gdj75kL8kRi78qNiSMf6em5YfaiK9u4dQvf7yctwSe4MHrUsqQVKEj0BoVB1i7-GLDrObvjgiSf6qeqQatETVewmsR5etJi6RCZgmQZ--No~I0HFafEaxzeHf0eELK1QcKnA2~spL47ufO8CUN6MCZFu6BQjKfCR9hATRO~xXt3VP8f5m2gNmSGixakPVwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Walton County commissioners approved several planning and zoning items Tuesday, including rezonings, land-use amendments and a conditional approval that will require a 50-foot non-disturbed buffer and downward-directed lighting at one mini-storage site.

Planning staff said a previously tabled application for outdoor storage and car repair (LU250199) was withdrawn by the applicant; commissioners accepted the withdrawal. The board then considered LU25-0063 / Z250062, a request to change land use from Suburban to Highway Corridor and rezone seven acres to B-2 for a mini-warehouse and an associated warehouse tenant. Neighbors who spoke at the public hearing cited concerns about noise, lighting, visibility and safety; the applicant said the facility would be secured with fences, cameras and gated coded access.

Commissioners approved the rezone with the planning commission’s recommended conditions plus an added requirement that a 50-foot transitional buffer remain non-disturbed, that all lighting be directed downward and that no outside storage be allowed. The vote passed with one commissioner recorded as voting no.

Other approvals included:
- Z25-0249: Rezone 2.45 acres to allow retail and wholesale sale of cut flowers — approved as submitted by planning staff.
- Z25-0253: Rezone and subdivision of 84.16 acres to R-1/OSC for a proposed 70-lot residential subdivision by Reliant Homes Georgia LLC — planning commission recommended approval; the board approved the request.
- LU25-0256 / Z25-0257: Land-use change and rezoning of 121.43 acres to A-1 2400 overlay with conservation protections for a JW Residential Group LLC project. The applicant and staff discussed stream buffers, wetlands and a proposed conservation overlay to keep lots out of sensitive areas; the board approved the request but the recorded vote included one against and one abstention.

Planning staff noted that campaign disclosure materials and other recorded documents are on file in the planning office and said the department will include required disclosures in future public packets. For projects with conditions, staff will track required buffers, landscaping and lighting restrictions as part of the permitting process.","The board approved several planning and zoning items, including withdrawal of a prior request, approval of a mini-storage rezone with conditions, multiple residential rezonings and a conservation overlay for a 121-acre subdivision; one vote included an abstention and another had a single no vote.",{"_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},6000240,"Walton County raises single-family impact fee to $3,006; implementation set for Oct. 1",418,5897000,6315000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842796-24e89c32e70ff3d80499ec238012db24&start=5897&end=6315","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842796-24e89c32e70ff3d80499ec238012db24/thumbnail_5897000.jpg","/articles/6000240/Walton-County/Georgia/Walton-County-raises-single-family-impact-fee-to-3006-implementation-set-for-Oct-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6000240-63596c9a61c711320d5017dfc7be6ec4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775152711&Signature=UE1Wt~evVD8Ee~t31WdyQ0GVjaK9sNm12R-crhb-Z9bc-NgRTORJArDIno1G8o0zK1mRSj-Xd4Z-ktVzUbAqAuRmVhTWRfOLjxkxwH6cRcewQH16k5kTY7Of~pAFvbmWUNd85Bts~HNPRzZslTt9Wr8dFgez0kOP6EJSv6s-TxwgJyTeX1fJwkApk70hMDXx9ZpS7Fsk7cCXIyUlbGBRIFBziFC2QPmFOw7nttNVgKy5A8ixpcxHK-pr0n7QOGxR-XMD4JH3S--brnitwCXRmb4aTm5U-2YKvsYx2DR7M8x4l2A9WS29s7Y8kjv-LcQYWRJjGZV6fqEMlYDcWRrEjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Walton County commissioners voted Tuesday to raise the single-family residential impact fee to the maximum amount identified in the county’s most recent methodology study and to implement the increase on Oct. 1.

County staff presented three options: retain the current fee of $1,224.01, raise it to roughly two-thirds of the maximum ($2,004.48), or adopt 100% of the maximum identified in the 2020 methodology report, which the county cited as $3,006.35 per single-family residence. The board voted to adopt the maximum and to update the county’s fee schedule for implementation Oct. 1.

County staff told commissioners the impact-fee methodology was last prepared in 2020 and that the prior detailed study dates to 2005, when the existing fee was adopted. The manager said impact fees are collected at permitting and distributed to departments affected by growth, including emergency services, parks and recreation and others. He advised the board that raising the fee would keep Walton County’s rates roughly in line with neighboring counties that have higher fees.

Commissioners discussed giving developers and builders notice before the fee took effect; the board selected Oct. 1 as the implementation date rather than an immediate roll-out or a January 1 start so businesses could incorporate the change. Staff said they would update the county fee schedule and issue notices to builders and stakeholders.

The motion to implement the higher fee included authorization for the commission chair to sign any state-required documents for the update. Commissioners approved the motion and directed staff to distribute notices and upload the revised fee schedule.","The county approved raising its single-family residential impact fee to the maximum allowed under the current methodology report and set an Oct. 1 implementation date; officials said the fee study was last updated in 2020 and the fee had not been changed since 2005.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6000245,"Walton County commission appoints Anne Marie Warren to fill District 1 seat",126,3110000,3236000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5842796-24e89c32e70ff3d80499ec238012db24&start=3110&end=3236","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5842796-24e89c32e70ff3d80499ec238012db24/thumbnail_3110000.jpg","/articles/6000245/Walton-County/Georgia/Walton-County-commission-appoints-Anne-Marie-Warren-to-fill-District-1-seat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6000245-bbad703ade07d8a2379f98fc028ac788/orig.mp4?Expires=1775152711&Signature=bqE0joKhwLphH8sFn-ND~Grrn44jflsC-nGPW91xCSoOIfJoNwEkPP8G7URhV8qi4wUYRq~ROoV8iVvxDfK-fo2lVfNaHV~H-QcuaSxfBAewlFHgJ6N0fPCBTnQQ97ffZQVMDnVp~t837VS3TerYpCWoPUsSZ5wYMaq~Rq4G27zQT8E8kEoadNG1hD3qWLU1Eni7o126rdTFbwt9p8q4VQTMhO71q8-sIz1MmQDOKIUV2Y9COCHbw9USox49utUmoVaayJDeU40f8IW2ng9Hdi5yG-j5GRDvshT~-7YaRRU7xGh2eq7CPOh4UqSAlMCnVZNjsKvavA5n8EliEcaQNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Walton County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday appointed Anne Marie Warren to fill the District 1 seat vacated by her husband, Beau Warren, who died last week. The board voted to appoint her after a short discussion about whether to solicit additional input from residents in the district.

Chairman David G. Thompson introduced the appointment and said Beau Warren had asked that his wife be appointed to finish his term. Commissioners discussed precedent: recent appointments previously honored a departing commissioner’s stated wish and, in other cases, the board had solicited candidates. Several commissioners said they had spoken with Anne Marie Warren and that she expressed willingness to serve.

The motion to appoint Anne Marie Warren was moved, seconded and called for a vote. Commissioners voted in favor and the motion passed (appointment approved). The board chair then said staff would proceed with the formal appointment paperwork.

The discussion included members noting practice has varied on prior vacancies: one prior appointment followed a departing commissioner’s request; another was decided after a selection process. One commissioner suggested obtaining additional input from District 1 before finalizing an appointment; the motion approving Warren’s appointment advanced without a formal requirement to solicit extra public input.

The commission completed this agenda item before moving to planning and zoning business.","The Walton County Board of Commissioners voted to appoint Anne Marie Warren to serve the remainder of her late husband Beau Warren’s District 1 term after brief discussion about district input and precedent.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hundreds petition, residents urge board to roll back millage increase at Walton County meeting

Walton County approves multiple rezones and land-use changes, adds buffer and lighting conditions on mini-storage project

Walton County raises single-family impact fee to $3,006; implementation set for Oct. 1

Walton County commission appoints Anne Marie Warren to fill District 1 seat