Putnam County commissioners make appointments, narrow rezoning moratorium and set town hall on development

The Putnam County Board of Commissioners used its Nov. 7 meeting to move several procedural and development items forward: it appointed two members to the Lake Oconee Area Development Authority, tabled a local‑act resolution on filling vacancies, narrowed the county’s rezoning moratorium geographically, and scheduled a town hall to gather public input on development.

For the Lake Oconee Area Development Authority (two five‑year seats ending Nov. 7, 2030), Mr. Barry Chambers and Mr. Nick Marine were appointed after nominations and roll‑call votes. Commissioner nominations were made by Commissioners Wooten, Hersey and McElhenney and the board recorded votes for each vacancy before announcing the appointments.

The board tabled a resolution requesting local legislation to amend the local act that creates the Board of Commissioners and to establish procedures for vacancies; County Attorney Adam Nelson explained potential changes and the item was tabled until the board’s Nov. 18 meeting when a revised request will be provided.

On rezoning, Commissioner Richard Garrett moved to end the current moratorium on new rezoning applications south of Highway 16 and west of U.S. 441; the motion passed with Garrett, Hersey and Wooten voting yea and McElhenney voting nay. The board also approved scheduling a town hall meeting to collect public comment on development, setting the meeting for Jan. 22, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.

Other procedural matters recorded in the minutes included approval of a 2025 alcohol license, approval of prior minutes, and passage of FY 2025 Budget Amendment #2.