Putnam County commissioners, development authority agree to clearer communications after governance review
March 01, 2026 | Putnam County, Georgia
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Putnam County commissioners met with members of the Putnam Development Authority on Jan. 22, 2026, and agreed to steps aimed at improving public outreach and formal communication between the county board and the authority.
The called meeting opened at about 4:02 p.m. in Room 203 of the Putnam County Administration Building in Eatonton. Chairman Bill Sharp reviewed meeting rules and said the session would end by 5:45 p.m. because a town-hall meeting was scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.
At Commissioner Tom McElhenney's request, County Attorney Adam Nelson outlined the authority's legal origin, saying the Putnam Development Authority was created by the Georgia General Assembly in 1968 and that the governor retains the power to remove members. Commissioners took turns stating questions, concerns and comments about the authority's operations and membership; members and staff of the Putnam Development Authority responded during the exchange.
Chairman Bill Sharp noted that each member of the Putnam Development Authority had been selected by at least three commissioners and thanked the authority members for their service. The two bodies concluded the substantive discussion by agreeing on next steps: more open communication with the public and more formalized communications between the Putnam Development Authority and the Board of Commissioners.
Later in the meeting Commissioner Jeff Wooten moved to adjourn; Commissioner Richard Garrett seconded. The minutes record yeas from Commissioners Tom McElhenney, Richard Garrett, Steve Hersey and Jeff Wooten. The motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at approximately 5:33 p.m.
The Putnam Development Authority attendees listed in the meeting record include Chairman Walt Rocker, Attorney Kevin Brown, Economic Development Director Matt Poyner, Secretary/Treasurer Patty Burns, Member Mylle Mangum and Vice Chairman John Wojtas. County staff present included County Attorney Adam Nelson, County Manager Paul Van Haute, County Clerk Lynn Butterworth and Deputy County Clerk Mercy Fluker, who attested the minutes.
The called meeting opened at about 4:02 p.m. in Room 203 of the Putnam County Administration Building in Eatonton. Chairman Bill Sharp reviewed meeting rules and said the session would end by 5:45 p.m. because a town-hall meeting was scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.
At Commissioner Tom McElhenney's request, County Attorney Adam Nelson outlined the authority's legal origin, saying the Putnam Development Authority was created by the Georgia General Assembly in 1968 and that the governor retains the power to remove members. Commissioners took turns stating questions, concerns and comments about the authority's operations and membership; members and staff of the Putnam Development Authority responded during the exchange.
Chairman Bill Sharp noted that each member of the Putnam Development Authority had been selected by at least three commissioners and thanked the authority members for their service. The two bodies concluded the substantive discussion by agreeing on next steps: more open communication with the public and more formalized communications between the Putnam Development Authority and the Board of Commissioners.
Later in the meeting Commissioner Jeff Wooten moved to adjourn; Commissioner Richard Garrett seconded. The minutes record yeas from Commissioners Tom McElhenney, Richard Garrett, Steve Hersey and Jeff Wooten. The motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at approximately 5:33 p.m.
The Putnam Development Authority attendees listed in the meeting record include Chairman Walt Rocker, Attorney Kevin Brown, Economic Development Director Matt Poyner, Secretary/Treasurer Patty Burns, Member Mylle Mangum and Vice Chairman John Wojtas. County staff present included County Attorney Adam Nelson, County Manager Paul Van Haute, County Clerk Lynn Butterworth and Deputy County Clerk Mercy Fluker, who attested the minutes.
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