Oconee County Council approved three ordinances on third reading during its Dec. 2, 2025 meeting and later authorized staff actions following an executive session.

On third reading, the council passed Ordinance 2025-22, which authorizes the execution and delivery of a special source revenue credit agreement between Oconee County and Horton Incorporated (referred to in the proceedings as Project Joe/Horton expansion). The council chair expressed appreciation for Horton’s continued local investment and described the company as a community partner. The ordinance received a motion and second and was approved by voice vote.

Council also approved Ordinance 2025-23, conveying easement rights to Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Inc. so the co-op may construct and maintain utility infrastructure at property identified in the hearing as 150 Schoolhouse Road (tax parcel noted in the record). That motion was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.

The third ordinance adopted on third reading, Ordinance 2025-24, repeals specified articles of the Oconee County code related to service regulations, replacing some prior chapters cited from ordinances in 1989 and 1995. That measure was moved, seconded and approved on third reading.

After the public portion of the meeting, the council entered executive session to discuss four items, including an economic development matter identified in the record as Project Hawk. Upon returning to open session, the county attorney requested motions tied to the executive session. Council directed staff to proceed with negotiations on Project Hawk and separately moved to direct the interim county administrator to work with the Appalachian Council of Governments (ACOG) on posting and conducting the county administrator search. Both directives were approved by motion and voice vote.

The meeting concluded after the council adjourned.

What the actions mean: The special source revenue credit agreement typically provides a negotiated tax incentive or rebate to support a specific local investment; the easement to Blue Ridge Electric enables planned utility work at a named parcel; and the repeal ordinance removes specified county service-regulation code sections as described on the record. Council directions after executive session instructed staff to pursue negotiated terms for Project Hawk and to initiate an administrator recruitment process with ACOG.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with negotiations for Project Hawk and coordinate the administrator posting and search with ACOG as directed by council. No later hearing date for Project Hawk was specified in the public portion of the record.