Putnam County board appoints Jay Bowden to water authority, approves MOU with UGA Extension and routine business

At its Jan. 20, 2026 meeting the Putnam County Board of Commissioners handled a series of routine but formal actions, including an appointment, intergovernmental paperwork and minutes corrections.

The board appointed Jay Bowden to the Eatonton-Putnam Water and Sewer Authority after three nominations (William Spani, David Stickley and Jay Bowden). Commissioners recorded votes and Mr. Bowden was named to the authority.

County Extension Agent Keith Fielder signed in to answer questions regarding a proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, on behalf of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, and Putnam County. The board authorized the chairman to sign the MOU and amended the motion to ensure every county reference in the document reads 'Putnam County.'

The board also authorized the chairman to sign a resolution setting qualifying fees for the 2026 election and approved an updated resolution naming an Open Records Officer and alternate. In addition, the board authorized staff to annotate the official minutes of Dec. 5, 2025 clarifying public-comment summaries relating to Mr. and Mrs. Vargo and their dispute with the Planning & Development department over a Georgia Power dredging permit.

These actions were moved, seconded and recorded in the minutes; where abstentions or nays were recorded the minutes list the individual commissioners and their votes.