Charlton County commissioners authorize transmission of 2025 comprehensive plan to state for review

Charlton County commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to authorize the South Georgia Regional Commission to transmit the county's 2025 comprehensive plan to the State of Georgia for review.

The authorization came after a public hearing during which James Horton, of the South Georgia Regional Commission, described the plan, stakeholder meetings and how the comprehensive plan can help local governments apply for grants and funds.

The board discussed how the 2025 document relates to goals from the county's 2020 comprehensive plan and asked several procedural questions about review and revision before opening the floor for public comment; none were offered. Commissioner Jesse Crews moved to authorize the South Georgia Regional Commission to transmit the plan to the state; Commissioner James Everett seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

The vote starts the state review process; the board did not adopt the plan at Thursday's meeting. The planning review will proceed under the State of Georgia's comprehensive planning review procedures, and any required local revisions would be made during that review period.

Commissioners and staff said the plan is intended to help the county when applying for grants and other funding opportunities related to infrastructure and community development.