The Town Council of Talking Rock adopted a rollback millage rate of 1.912 for the 2026 fiscal year and approved several administrative measures at its October meeting, including authorization of a property survey and a finance agreement for franchise-fee collection.

The council held a public hearing on the proposed rollback millage and, after brief discussion, a motion to adopt the rate was made and seconded and the measure was approved. The transcript records the motion as “that the town of [Talking Rock] adopt a rollback millage of 1.912 for 2026 fiscal year.” The transcript does not record a roll-call tally; the outcome is recorded in the minutes as approved.

The council authorized a professional survey of parcel number 0208057 — the large property behind the town park — to document and register town property boundaries. Council members reviewed three written quotes: Chastain & Associates at $6,300 with a 6–8 week lead time; Keystone at $5,000; and Meridian at $2,900. The council voted to accept the Meridian quote for $2,900 to “identify … what the town is” and to ensure the survey and related records are annotated and filed locally.

Council members also approved a finance agreement with EMC to collect a 4% franchise fee and to review prior years’ payments for potential refunds covering roughly the past three years. The transcript identifies EMC as the vendor; it states the vendor will pay the town a standard 4% franchise fee and will perform a review of prior periods to determine amounts owed to the town. The motion to approve the finance agreement was made and seconded; the transcript records the motion as approved but does not include a roll-call tally.

The council approved routine business items: the minutes from the September meeting and the September financial report. During the financial discussion staff reported account balances (general operating $265,000; Schoolhouse $86,000; ACE $87,000; Squash $55,500; GameOut $6.89; Special projects $86,000) and said the town is moving bank accounts to support automated services.

Maintenance staff reported facilities work including replacement of dual-roll toilet holders, repair or replacement of soap dispensers, and successful drainage performance after a recent storm. Council also noted that a short-term-rentals discussion remains tabled until the full council can attend.

Mayor (name not specified) encouraged residents to attend the upcoming Heritage Days festival and described it as a long-running, volunteer-driven event. The council set a working-group meeting for Nov. 6 at 5:30 p.m. and a council meeting at 7:00 p.m. to begin budget work; the council said it will publish a draft budget and hold a public comment period in November before voting in December.

Votes at a glance

• Adopt rollback millage 1.912 for fiscal 2026 — Motion made and seconded; outcome: approved (tally not specified).

• Authorize survey of parcel 0208057 (behind park) — Accept Meridian quote $2,900 — Motion made and seconded; outcome: approved (tally not specified).

• Approve finance/franchise-fee agreement with EMC (4% fee; review of prior years for refunds) — Motion made and seconded; outcome: approved (tally not specified).

• Approve September 2025 meeting minutes — Motion made and seconded; outcome: approved (tally not specified).

• Approve September 2025 financial report — Motion made and seconded; outcome: approved (tally not specified).

All quoted or paraphrased statements in this article are drawn from the council meeting transcript. Where the transcript did not supply a roll-call vote tally or the full legal name of a speaker, the article notes that information as not specified.