Board adopts annual CIE short‑term work program update to keep Newton County qualified for state programs

The Newton County Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution R05202025 on May 20 to transmit the fiscal‑year 2024 Capital Improvement Element short‑term work program (CIE‑STWP) annual update to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA).

Shana Applewhite, director of development services, told the board that DCA reviewed the county’s report and returned it with minor recommendations; staff addressed those recommendations and received DCA approval on April 17. Applewhite summarized projects across departments: roads, library collections, parks and recreation projects (about $10 million identified), animal services vehicle purchases already procured, and a list of sheriff’s office projects totaling about $25 million (all pending funding availability). She said the county’s fiscal‑year‑end impact fee balance for 2024 was about $3.4 million.

Because the report had been advertised as a public hearing, the board opened the hearing during the meeting in respect of anyone who had come to speak; no members of the public offered comments either for or against the update. Commissioners moved and adopted the resolution unanimously.

Why it matters: Adoption preserves the county’s qualified local government status with the state, enabling access to certain funding and grants and documenting planned capital‑improvement projects and impact‑fee balances.