Heard County commissioners approve SPLOST budget, appoint officials and back elections board resolution
January 24, 2026 | Heard County, Georgia
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The Heard County Board of Commissioners met Jan. 24 in the courthouse courtroom and unanimously approved a slate of routine actions, including the county's 2017 SPLOST projects list and budget and a package of appointments and resolutions.
Chairman Lee Boone said the SPLOST budget adopted for 2017 includes a $500,000 allocation to the Heard County Water Authority for system improvements. Commissioners voted to approve the SPLOST projects list and budget after a prior work session and a presentation by Public Works Director Darold Wiggins (motion by Commissioner Joe Adams, second by Commissioner Keri Denney).
The Board approved a resolution asking the Georgia General Assembly to create a Heard County Board of Elections and move elections administration away from the Probate Judge. County Attorney Jerry Ann Conner and Chief Registrar Tonnie Adams explained that the resolution would be forwarded to the legislative council with a change to item three; the motion to forward the resolution carried unanimously (motion Denney, second Hooks).
Commissioners also approved a set of appointments recommended by staff and local authorities: Dustin Pate to the Planning Commission to replace Doug Craven; Rodney Kay to the Development Authority to fill the remainder of Cheryl Pollard's term; Larry Hooks as vice-chairman for 2017; Patty Jiles as county clerk; Jerry Ann Conner as county attorney; and Kim Kimmel as county auditor. All appointments passed by unanimous vote.
The Board approved a resolution to change Brush Creek Park's name to Chattahoochee Old Town (motion Adams, second Hammond) and authorized a standard Georgia Power easement to provide electric service to the new administration building (motion Hooks, second Denney). Finance/project staff also confirmed that the county can pay any invoices submitted by vendors or authorities if those invoices are presented to the Board.
On an item raised under old business, Chairman Boone said building inspection permit fees had not been updated for 22 years and proposed a fee of $0.50 per heated square foot. After discussion, the Board unanimously approved the change (motion Denney, second Hooks); Boone noted an average house requires about 12 inspections and said the $0.50 rate would not fully cover inspection costs.
Chairman Boone asked for an executive session to discuss personnel and litigation; the Board entered and later left executive session with no decisions to announce. With no further business, the Board adjourned.
Votes at a glance: approval of Dec. 27, 2016 minutes (unanimous); amendment to add SPLOST budget to agenda (unanimous); approval of David Blevins special-use permit (unanimous); approval of SPLOST projects list and budget (unanimous); approval of Georgia Power easement (unanimous); forwarding of Board of Elections resolution (unanimous); park name change to Chattahoochee Old Town (unanimous); appointments of Pate, Kay, Hooks (vice-chair), Jiles, Conner, and Kimmel (all unanimous); building permit fee increase to $0.50/ft2 (unanimous).
Chairman Lee Boone said the SPLOST budget adopted for 2017 includes a $500,000 allocation to the Heard County Water Authority for system improvements. Commissioners voted to approve the SPLOST projects list and budget after a prior work session and a presentation by Public Works Director Darold Wiggins (motion by Commissioner Joe Adams, second by Commissioner Keri Denney).
The Board approved a resolution asking the Georgia General Assembly to create a Heard County Board of Elections and move elections administration away from the Probate Judge. County Attorney Jerry Ann Conner and Chief Registrar Tonnie Adams explained that the resolution would be forwarded to the legislative council with a change to item three; the motion to forward the resolution carried unanimously (motion Denney, second Hooks).
Commissioners also approved a set of appointments recommended by staff and local authorities: Dustin Pate to the Planning Commission to replace Doug Craven; Rodney Kay to the Development Authority to fill the remainder of Cheryl Pollard's term; Larry Hooks as vice-chairman for 2017; Patty Jiles as county clerk; Jerry Ann Conner as county attorney; and Kim Kimmel as county auditor. All appointments passed by unanimous vote.
The Board approved a resolution to change Brush Creek Park's name to Chattahoochee Old Town (motion Adams, second Hammond) and authorized a standard Georgia Power easement to provide electric service to the new administration building (motion Hooks, second Denney). Finance/project staff also confirmed that the county can pay any invoices submitted by vendors or authorities if those invoices are presented to the Board.
On an item raised under old business, Chairman Boone said building inspection permit fees had not been updated for 22 years and proposed a fee of $0.50 per heated square foot. After discussion, the Board unanimously approved the change (motion Denney, second Hooks); Boone noted an average house requires about 12 inspections and said the $0.50 rate would not fully cover inspection costs.
Chairman Boone asked for an executive session to discuss personnel and litigation; the Board entered and later left executive session with no decisions to announce. With no further business, the Board adjourned.
Votes at a glance: approval of Dec. 27, 2016 minutes (unanimous); amendment to add SPLOST budget to agenda (unanimous); approval of David Blevins special-use permit (unanimous); approval of SPLOST projects list and budget (unanimous); approval of Georgia Power easement (unanimous); forwarding of Board of Elections resolution (unanimous); park name change to Chattahoochee Old Town (unanimous); appointments of Pate, Kay, Hooks (vice-chair), Jiles, Conner, and Kimmel (all unanimous); building permit fee increase to $0.50/ft2 (unanimous).
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