Habersham County makes interim manager permanent, approves road grant and zoning change

Habersham County commissioners voted to make Tim Sims the county manager and approved multiple measures affecting roads, zoning and appointments at their meeting.

The board unanimously approved a $1,036,446.15 Local Road Assistance (LRA) grant from the state, accepted a map amendment application for property at Rockford Creek Road and Hollywood Hills Road, adopted a resolution setting a county goal of zero traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2040, and confirmed Diane Brown to the Department of Family and Children Services board. The consent agenda passed and an appointment to the Aveda board was tabled.

Why it matters: the LRA grant adds one-time state funding for pavement and road maintenance without a county match, increasing the county's paving capacity this year. The county's adoption of a formal traffic-safety goal aligns local planning with the federally funded Safe Streets for All planning process and creates a written target the county can use when pursuing future safety projects. Making Tim Sims the permanent county manager finalizes an executive decision the board had made while he served in an interim role.

Key votes and details (Votes at a glance)

- Map amendment Z25-01 (Omega Properties and Development LLC): Motion to remove a prior condition from a 2021 map amendment and allow a driveway to serve 2.2 acres at the rear of the property passed 4-0. Planning staff recommended approval with two conditions limiting the driveway to the identified 2.2-acre parcel and prohibiting commercial access if the larger parcel is developed commercially. Motion and second on record; vote tally: 4 yes, 0 no.

- Resolution: adopt goal to work toward zero traffic-related deaths and serious injuries on county-owned and maintained roads by 2040 (Resolution No. 25-2025-03-001): Motion made by Commissioner Akins; second recorded. Passed 4-0. The board described the resolution as the local articulation of goals required by the Safe Streets for All grant and said the resolution itself does not obligate construction funding.

- 2025 LRA local road assistance administrative grant application ($1,036,446.15): Motion to authorize the chairman to sign related documents and to submit the application passed 4-0. County staff said the award will fund about 5.83 miles of additional paving work (in addition to other local maintenance grants).

- Appointment: Diane Brown to the Department of Family and Children Services board (term through 2029-06-30): Nomination and confirmation passed 4-0.

- County manager appointment: The board voted to make Tim Sims the permanent county manager, effective immediately; the motion passed with no recorded opposition.

- Consent agenda: Approved as presented (vote recorded as unanimous).

Other board business and context

County staff reported the courthouse demolition has begun after asbestos abatement, and the county has accepted a remounted med unit for emergency services. Planning staff described the Omega Properties map amendment as a limited request to remove a driveway-access restriction on a 2.2-acre portion of a parcel previously rezoned in 2021. Finance staff provided quarter-three financials showing 75% of the fiscal year elapsed, general fund revenues at about 80% collected and expenditures at about 71% spent; several departments were cited for budget adjustments that will come forward later.

During the meeting the board also recessed into an executive session under Georgia law to discuss litigation, personnel and property matters and subsequently certified the session on the public record.

Ending: The board indicated it will continue work on road and safety priorities this year and said staff will return with project-level recommendations when design or construction funding is available.