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Gordon County commissioners approve multiple rezonings, extend moratoriums and switch employee health-plan acceptance to Cigna
Summary
At its May 19 meeting, the Gordon County Board of Commissioners approved a series of residential rezoning requests (one drew public opposition and resulted in an abstention), extended temporary moratoriums on anaerobic digestion facilities and data centers, approved a $42,780 contract modification for the Community Events Center, and amended employee health-plan acceptance to Cigna amid insurer contract concerns.
The Gordon County Board of Commissioners on May 19 approved a slate of rezoning applications, extended temporary moratoriums on anaerobic digestion facilities and data centers, authorized a $42,780 modification for the Community Events Center SPLOST project and amended its previously selected employee health-plan acceptance to a Cigna proposal after administrators raised concerns about insurer contract negotiations.
The most contested land-use vote involved application RZ-26-27, a rezoning request for 104 DeFoor Loop that drew public opposition over reduced frontage, water-supply and safety concerns. Resident Tim Hensely told commissioners he opposed the application, citing those issues and asking whether units would become Section 8 housing. The applicant, identified in the record as Randy Abernathy, responded, “there were no plans to include Section 8 housing at this time.” The commission approved RZ-26-27 on a recorded 3-0 vote, with the minutes noting Commissioner Abernathy abstained from that vote.
Overall, the commission approved a series of rezoning petitions recommended by planning staff and the Planning Commission, including RZ-26-20 (377 Regina Forest Road), RZ-26-21 (1138 Rome Road SW), RZ-26-22 (583 S Holcomb Road), RZ-26-23 (229 Hood Street), RZ-26-24 (134 Johnson Drive SE), RZ-26-25 (151 and 155 Mountain Loop Road), RZ-26-26 (561 Greeson Road NE) and RZ-26-28 (Midway). Most passed unanimously; RZ-26-27 and RZ-26-28 were recorded as carrying 3-0 with Commissioner Abernathy abstaining as noted in the meeting record.
In new business, the commission adopted resolutions to extend temporary moratoriums relating to anaerobic digestion facilities and to data centers, each on 4-0 votes. The commission also approved Modification Request #2 with Momon Construction for the Community Events Center multi-purpose building, adding $42,780 to GL Account 328-542516 for this 2018 SPLOST project.
Administrator Jim Ledbetter told commissioners that the county had initially received a UnitedHealthcare quote accepted at the May 5 meeting but that ongoing contract negotiations between AdventHealth and UnitedHealthcare introduced a risk that employees might lose access to local hospitals if contracts were finalized unfavorably before plan deadlines. Ledbetter said the administration and broker were unaware negotiations were underway. To avoid potential disruption of care for employees and their families, the commission voted to amend acceptance and instead accept a Cigna proposal; the motion carried 4-0.
Finance Director Andrea Bramlett presented the proposed FY27 budget to the board; the meeting record notes the presentation but does not include line-item figures in the minutes. The commission also reappointed Ken Padgett and Add Layson to three-year terms on the Historic Preservation Commission through June 1, 2029.
The board opened and closed a public hearing on multiple rezoning matters and tabled an ordinance to close and abandon a portion of Old Lily Pond Road after County Attorney Virginia Harman advised that notice to surrounding residents had not been properly distributed. Chair M.L. “Bud” Owens asked that the item be tabled to allow proper notice; the motion to table carried 4-0.
The meeting adjourned after recorded motions to close out the agenda.
