Polk County commissioners approve zoning, permit and budget items; add Dec. 26 holiday

The Polk County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a package of zoning, land‑use and budget items at its Nov. 4, 2025 regular meeting.

The Board approved Z25‑13, a request from Pizano Construction Inc., represented by Joseph Pizano, to rezone 7.85 acres on Puckett Road in Silver Creek from A‑1 to R‑1. Commissioner Chuck Thaxton moved to approve the zoning change; Commissioner Linda Liles seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The Board also approved Z25‑14, a request from David Middleton to change 9.291 acres on Wieuca Way in Cedartown from R‑4 to A‑1. Commissioner Liles moved to approve Z25‑14; Commissioner Michael Gravett seconded. Both approvals followed Planning and Zoning Commission recommendations for approval.

The Board denied two variance requests. V25‑07, a request from Jeremy Absher to allow three easements to reduce minimum lot size for an event venue at 639 Knox Mountain Road, was denied on a motion by Commissioner Thaxton, seconded by Commissioner John Paschal. V25‑08, a request from Carol Harper to use an existing easement as access for a newly divided parcel on Brushy Mountain Road, was similarly denied on a motion by Commissioner Thaxton, seconded by Commissioner Gravett. Both denials were unanimous.

A special use permit (SU25‑03) for a telecommunication tower on Hightower Road in Cedartown, requested by W. Wright Gammon Jr. and represented by Baker Donelson Law Firm, was approved after a motion by Commissioner Thaxton and second by Commissioner Liles.

The Board approved text amendments to Sections 708.01, 708.17 and 710.14 of the Polk County Code of Ordinances (TA25‑03) on a motion from Commissioner Thaxton, seconded by Commissioner Liles.

On personnel and administrative items the Board amended the Polk County 2025 holiday schedule to add Friday, Dec. 26, 2025 as an additional Christmas holiday; Commissioner Thaxton moved to add the day and Commissioner Gravett seconded. The Board also reappointed Grady McCrickard to the Water Authority for a five‑year term expiring March 31, 2030, approving the appointment on a motion by Commissioner Thaxton seconded by Commissioner Gravett.

Traffic and annexation actions included approval of a resolution authorizing “No Parking” signage along Pepper Town Road from Irwin Street to Liberty Street (moved by Commissioner Gravett, seconded by Commissioner Liles) and approval of a resolution de‑annexing Parcel #060‑029A (approx. 2.215 acres) from the City of Rockmart (moved by Commissioner Liles, seconded by Commissioner Thaxton).

The Board approved the November 2025 surplus vehicle list — four vehicles identified by year, make and VIN — for sale on GovDeals.

On budget matters, the Board approved a Finance Committee recommendation to amend the 2026 Special Revenue (Opioid) Fund budget to cover increases in required matching funds for Accountability Courts. The Board also adopted a Finance Committee resolution officially designating the balance of CARES Act funds, approximately $1,108,243.84 plus recent interest, to become part of the General Fund to be used as revenue in the FY2026 General Fund budget; meeting minutes state this designation will slow the use of Landfill Funds in the FY2026 budget. Chairman Hal Floyd presented the Finance Committee motions; both measures passed unanimously.

All motions recorded in the minutes were approved unanimously, with many motions moved by Commissioner Chuck Thaxton and seconded by Commissioners Linda Liles, Michael Gravett or John Paschal as noted. The meeting record shows no recorded public testimony opposed to the measures presented. The Board later entered an executive session for pending litigation and reconvened before adjourning.