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Polk County commissioners approve event and solar zoning, suspend purchasing rules and approve multiple finance actions
Summary
At its Feb. 4 meeting the Polk County Board of Commissioners approved two special-use permits (an equestrian event venue and a solar farm), ended county funding for a USGS stream-monitoring site, approved small capital purchases and licenses, and suspended procurement rules for a morgue construction project. The board also unanimously passed a resolution supporting local legislation to set Polk County Water Authority term limits.
Vice Chairman Chuck Thaxton called the Polk County Board of Commissioners to order at 6:15 p.m. on Feb. 4, 2025. Commissioners Michael Gravett, Hal Floyd (by telephone), Gary Martin, John Paschal and Chuck Thaxton were recorded present. County Manager Matt Denton and other staff attended.
The board approved the meeting agenda (motion by Commissioner John Paschal; second by Commissioner Michael Gravett) and the minutes from the Jan. 7 regular meeting and executive session (motion by Commissioner Hal Floyd; second by Commissioner Gary Martin). Both motions passed unanimously.
On land-use matters the board approved two special-use permits recommended by Planning and Zoning. SU24-07 (applicant Simon Pizano Cruz) would allow an equestrian sport event venue on property at 0 Raiford Road (Parcel #041-001D) with the stipulation that the main entrance be located off Collard Valley Road; Commissioner Michael Gravett moved and Commissioner John Paschal seconded the motion, which passed 3–1, with Commissioner Gary Martin opposed. SU24-08 (Harpst Home, represented by Will Jernigan with Inman Solar) would authorize a solar farm off East Point Road (Parcel #030E-012); Commissioner John Paschal moved and Commissioner Michael Gravett seconded, and the motion likewise passed 3–1 with Commissioner Martin voting no.
In finance and procurement actions, the board voted unanimously to stop renewing the U.S. Geological Survey agreement that funded a monitoring point on Cedar Creek (Site No. 02397500), following a Finance Committee recommendation. The board also unanimously denied a request from Mihir Patel to remove penalty fees from 2020–2022 real and personal property ad valorem taxes, per the Finance Committee’s recommendation.
The board amended the FY2025 CIP to add a new copier for the Police Department, estimated at $7,500 and to be funded from the 2020 SPLOST; Commissioner Michael Gravett moved the purchase and Commissioner John Paschal seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Citing very high bids on a morgue construction project, County Manager Matt Denton said administration recommended allowing the building inspector to pursue subcontracting to achieve better pricing. Commissioner Hal Floyd moved to suspend Article V, Division 3 (Purchasing Procedures) of the Polk County Ordinance for the morgue construction project; Commissioner Gary Martin seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Gravett asked that local, qualified professionals be used where possible.
The board approved a resolution supporting local legislation (LC 44 2217) to establish term limits for Polk County Water Authority board members (motion by Commissioner Michael Gravett; second by Commissioner Gary Martin) and approved a new alcohol license for Roots at Bentley Lake LLC (applicants Jason Bentley and Jody Smith) at 578 Tallapoosa Highway in Cedartown (motion by Commissioner John Paschal; second by Commissioner Gary Martin). Both motions passed unanimously.
County Manager Denton offered no additional remarks. Commissioners provided brief comments: Commissioner Gary Martin thanked Fire Chief Hanuscin for the annual report; Commissioner Michael Gravett praised department budget oversight; Commissioner Hal Floyd asked for prayers for Commissioner Liles’ recovery from surgery. Commissioner John Paschal moved to adjourn; Commissioner Hal Floyd seconded and the meeting adjourned by unanimous vote.
Votes at a glance: approval of agenda (unanimous); approval of minutes (unanimous); SU24-07 event venue (approved 3–1); SU24-08 solar farm (approved 3–1); USGS monitoring agreement nonrenewal (unanimous); denial of Mihir Patel fee-removal request (unanimous); police copier purchase ($7,500 from 2020 SPLOST) (unanimous); tabled acceptance of Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program grant (see separate item); resolution supporting LC 44 2217 (unanimous); suspension of purchasing procedures for morgue (unanimous); alcohol license for Roots at Bentley Lake LLC (unanimous).
