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Polk County commissioners approve zoning changes, capital projects and property purchases
Summary
At their Oct. 7 meeting, the Polk County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved two zoning changes, a budget and CIP amendment, purchase of property for a new Esom Hill fire station, an intergovernmental agreement for a Van Wert parcel (contingent on legal review), an Airport CIP, vehicle purchases and other routine items.
The Polk County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 7 unanimously approved a package of routine land-use, budget and capital items, including two zoning changes, funding restores for a frozen finance position and purchases for county public safety and infrastructure.
The board voted to rezone two properties in Cedartown from A-1 to C-1 — a request by Lance Green for 35 Wieuca Way and a request by Deborah Miller-Gardner for property on U.S. Highway 278 — after Planning and Zoning recommended approval. The board also approved a plat review for the Samuel L. Greene estate.
In financial actions, commissioners approved a FY2026 General Fund amendment that restores $74,835 in salary and benefits for the Assistant Finance Director position that had been frozen and passed a separate FY2026 CIP amendment to fund a replacement vehicle for the Sheriff and renovations to the Clerk of Courts vault room; staff said both CIP items will be funded from the 2020 SPLOST account.
On capital projects and property matters, the board approved purchase of a 3-acre parcel near Akes Station Road along Highway 278 for a future Esom Hill fire station at a purchase price of $35,000 to be paid from the Fire Fund; a closing date was scheduled for Oct. 9, 2025. The board also approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Polk School District to acquire a 3-acre parcel for a Van Wert fire station at no cost; the approval was contingent on final legal review after county attorneys and district representatives indicated the district would submit formal paperwork.
Other items approved included the county’s Airport Capital Improvement Plan for 2027–2031 (reviewed with the airport consultant and the Georgia Department of Transportation), an update to Polk County Ordinance sections 2-282 and 2-283 raising purchasing thresholds and allowing CIP items to proceed within approved limits, and the purchase of three 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 trucks from State contract vendor Hardy Chevrolet for $130,110 (under the $140,000 amount budgeted in the CIP).
Traffic safety changes approved included a resolution to post an all-way stop at the intersection of Hightower Road, Evans Road and Felton Rockmart Road in Cedartown after a citizen complaint; Chief Evans recommended installing three additional stop signs because only one stop sign was present. The board also approved surplus and sale of outdated Motorola radios to Sunny Communications for $1,920, and granted a Retail Package Outlet alcohol license to Jennifer Dee Woolsey for Farmers Convenience Inc. at 2240 Buchanan Highway, Cedartown.
County Manager Matt Denton presented the September finance report, saying revenues were 6.5 percent, expenses 20.2 percent and agency allocations 16.1 percent. Commissioners offered brief remarks and the board later entered and reconvened from an executive session on personnel issues before adjourning.
Votes at a glance - Z25-11 (35 Wieuca Way rezoning): motion passed unanimously (moved: Commissioner Thaxton; second: Commissioner Liles). - Z25-12 (US Hwy 278 rezoning): motion passed unanimously (moved: Commissioner Paschal; second: Commissioner Thaxton). - Plat review (Samuel L. Greene Estate): motion passed unanimously (moved: Commissioner Liles; second: Commissioner Thaxton). - FY2026 General Fund amendment (restore Assistant Finance Director funding, $74,835): motion passed unanimously (moved: Commissioner Liles; second: Commissioner Paschal). - Ordinance update (Polk County Ordinance §§2-282 & 2-283): motion passed unanimously. - Purchase: 3-acre parcel for Esom Hill fire station ($35,000, Fire Fund): motion passed unanimously (moved: Commissioner Liles; second: Commissioner Paschal). - Intergovernmental agreement (Polk School District — Van Wert parcel, no cost, contingent legal review): motion passed unanimously (moved: Commissioner Paschal; second: Commissioner Thaxton). - Purchase of three 2026 Chevy Silverados (Hardy Chevrolet, $130,110, 2020 SPLOST): motion passed unanimously (moved: Commissioner Liles; second: Commissioner Thaxton). - All-way stop designation at Hightower/Evans/Felton Rockmart Roads: motion passed unanimously (moved: Commissioner Martin; second: Commissioner Liles). - Airport CIP 2027–2031: motion passed unanimously (moved: Commissioner Paschal; second: Commissioner Thaxton). - FY2026 CIP amendment (Sheriff vehicle and Clerk vault renovation, funded from 2020 SPLOST): motion passed unanimously (moved: Commissioner Thaxton; second: Commissioner Liles). - Alcohol license (Farmers Convenience Inc.): motion passed unanimously (moved: Commissioner Thaxton; second: Commissioner Paschal). - Elections services agreement (City of Aragon): motion passed unanimously (moved: Commissioner Liles). - Surplus Motorola radios sale to Sunny Communications ($1,920): motion passed unanimously (moved: Commissioner Thaxton; second: Commissioner Liles).
What’s next: Several items — most notably the Van Wert intergovernmental acquisition — remain contingent on delivery of a formal agreement and final legal review. The board adjourned after reconvening from an executive session on personnel.