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Residents press county on data centers, animal control and recovery funds; commissioners approve CSBG amendment and TAD transfers, table gym‑naming
Summary
During public comment citizens urged stronger alignment of city and county data‑center ordinances, expressed water, noise and eminent‑domain concerns, and called for clearer opioid‑settlement funding processes. The board approved an $87,040 CSBG contract amendment, transferred $610,522.07 to two TADs, and tabled Heritage Park gym naming for broader outreach.
Six citizens spoke during the public‑comment period, with most focusing on data‑center siting and related community impacts.
Greg Burns called for harmonizing county and Griffin ordinances and formation of a citizen ad‑hoc committee to strengthen protections; "If we could fix this problem... I would be the first in line," he said. Other residents asked the board to resist granting variances, to enforce setbacks and water‑use limits, and to address concerns about potential power‑line eminent domain and electromagnetic fields.
Heather Goforth praised Commissioner Watts for volunteering on a neighborhood fence repair and urged more community partnership. Several speakers raised animal‑control issues and shelter capacity; one resident also asked for an accessible process for local groups to apply for opioid‑settlement funds to expand recovery services.
On new business the board approved a Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) FY2026 contract amendment securing an additional $87,040 for the fiscal year and voted to authorize transfers from the general fund of $302,617.77 to TAD #1 and $307,904.30 to TAD #2 (total $610,522.07), with audit records to note assurances that the transfers will not recur. The board then voted to table consideration of the Heritage Park gym naming pending broader public input and an additional naming committee review.
What happens next: County staff and Georgia Tech offered to provide technical follow‑up on data‑center questions; commissioners asked staff to continue outreach on naming and recovery funding and to ensure fair processes for eminent‑domain negotiations and community complaints.
