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Pickens County, Georgia

Pickens County public meetings in 2025

22 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.

Mon Dec 15, 2025

Board of Commissioners

Board will consider and approve the county’s 2026 budget

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners will meet on Dec. 15, 2025 to consider several agenda items. They will decide on the 2026 county budget and approve projects such as the expansion of Fire Station #10, a brush truck for Station #10, multiple land leases at the county airport, a hotel/motel agreement with the Chamber of Commerce, and an annexation request from the Town of Talking Rock. The board will also act on rezoning requests and appoint a new member to the Development Authority. Minutes from recent meetings will be approved.

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✓ Decided: Board approves 2026 budget and key fire station projects

The commissioners approved the county’s 2026 budget. They also approved the lowest‑bid expansion of Fire Station #10, the purchase of a brush truck for the station, and several airport land leases. The request to annex a parcel from Talking Rock was tabled for further review. Additional actions included rezoning approvals, appointing a development authority member, and naming a new county attorney.

Mon Dec 8, 2025

Planning Commission

Planning Commission considers rezoning 66.55 acres to ER for Easy Money Ventures

The Pickens County Planning Commission will review several rezoning and special‑use applications, including a conditional use for Karyn Smith and new rezoning requests from Daniel Barrett, Easy Money Ventures, LLC, and Hannah & Craig Jones (on behalf of Scott Bruce). The commission will also vote on the 2026 meeting calendar.

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✓ Decided: Commission approved rezoning of 66.55 acres to Estate Residential

The Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use for a spring and fall concert series at 8834 Hwy Crossroads. It also approved three rezoning requests: 1.5 acres from Agricultural to Rural Residential at 1750 Talking Rock Road, 66.55 acres from Agricultural to Estate Residential at 187 Old Jones Mountain Road, and 8.60 acres from Agricultural to Rural Residential at 11025 Highway 53 West. The 2026 meeting calendar was adopted and the minutes from the prior meeting were approved with an attendance correction.

Mon Dec 1, 2025

Board of Commissioners

Board will consider and approve the FY 2026 ARPA Grant (GOCAT-001140)

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners will hold a second public hearing on the 2026 budget and public comments. They will consider and approve a pharmacy agreement with QUVA and a FY 2026 ARPA grant (GOCAT-001140). The meeting also includes updates on the Henderson Mountain water line project, the terminal construction project, and a review of land‑use intensity district change requests.

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✓ Decided: Board approves transition to Regroup mass‑notification system for public safety

The Pickens County Board voted 2‑yes, 0‑no to adopt Regroup as the new mass communication provider, replacing the Code Red system. It also approved a QUVA Pharmacy agreement for fire‑rescue, two grant awards (GOCAT‑001140 and FY 2026 ARPA), and an agenda amendment. The meeting was adjourned after a motion passed unanimously.

Mon Nov 17, 2025

Board of Commissioners

Pickens County Board holds public hearing on 2026 Budget

The Board of Commissioners will hold public hearings regarding the 2026 Budget, the Pettit Road abandonment request, and airport operational standards. The body will also consider a SPLOST bond resolution and a de-annexation request from the City of Jasper.

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✓ Decided: Board approved new Airport Operations Ordinance

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners approved the Airport Operations Ordinance that sets regulatory standards for airport use. The ordinance was adopted with a 2‑yes, 0‑no vote. The Board also approved related actions including the removal of two derelict aircraft, a state grant for airport fencing, and a SPLOST bond resolution.

Mon Nov 10, 2025

Planning Commission

Commission will consider several rezoning proposals, including a 20‑acre conditional use.

The Pickens County Planning Commission meeting on November 10, 2025 will address several rezoning and special‑use applications. Items include converting agricultural land to residential, changing residential to a different classification, and a conditional‑use request for a 20‑acre parcel. The commission will also review a request to change a right‑of‑way to a recreational use and other parcel reclassifications.

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✓ Decided: Planning Commission approved four rezoning requests and tabled a conditional use amendment

The commission adopted the September 8, 2025 minutes unanimously. It approved rezoning of four parcels: 1.5 acres (parcel #040 081) from Agricultural to Rural Residential, 6.39 acres (parcel #034 084 20) from Small Agricultural to Rural Residential, 12.81 acres (parcel #043 015 002) from Agricultural to Small Agricultural, and 2.98 acres (parcel #044A 002) from Rural Residential to Rural Business. The request to add a fall and spring concert condition to the existing conditional use on parcel #065010 was tabled.

Mon Oct 20, 2025

Board of Commissioners

Board considers airport capital plan and two property rezonings

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners will discuss airport lease matters and a 2026 Five Year Capital Improvement Plan for the airport. The board will also consider two rezoning requests and the installation of a four-way stop at the Lower Dowda and Fairview intersection.

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✓ Decided: Board approves airport improvements, four-way stop, and rezoning at 124 Willow Lane

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved several actions, including a lease amendment to pave the airport parking area, a five‑year capital improvement plan for the airport, and the installation of a four‑way stop at Lower Dowda Mill Road and Fairview Road. They also declared surplus fire‑department equipment for donation, adopted the 2026 holiday calendar, and approved rezoning of 124 Willow Lane with conditions. The agenda was amended to add an executive session, which the board entered after a 2‑yes vote.

Mon Oct 6, 2025

Board of Commissioners

Commissioners will vote on the 2025 millage rate with a rollback and tax cuts

The Board will consider and approve the 2025 millage rate that includes a rollback and additional tax cuts. It will also approve a notice to proceed with the Fixed Base Operator (FBO) for the Pickens County Airport JZP. A work session will review land‑use intensity district change requests, a brush‑truck purchase request from the Wildcat Community, and tenant site‑improvement proposals at the airport. The session will also discuss proposed SPLOST projects.

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✓ Decided: Board approved 2025 millage rate with a rollback

The commissioners approved the agenda amendment (2‑0) and adopted the 2025 millage rate, lowering it from 7.286 to 6.772 (2‑0). A proclamation declaring October 4‑5 as Marble Festival Weekend was signed. The meeting was adjourned after a motion passed (2‑0).

Mon Sep 15, 2025

Board of Commissioners

Board to accept GDOT funds for South Terminal Apron Rehabilitation at county airport

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners will consider and approve updates to the employee handbook, a memorandum of understanding with the University of Georgia Extension Cooperative, and a proposal to upgrade radio communications equipment. They will also vote on de‑annexing a parcel at 581 Old Burnt Mountain Road, accept Georgia Department of Transportation funds for the South Terminal Apron Rehabilitation Project at the county airport, and authorize related documentation. Additional items include a parks and recreation open house, a master services agreement for fire‑marshal operations, a school affiliation agreement for EMT clinicals, and three rezoning actions.

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✓ Decided: Board approved $1.47 M GDOT grant for South Terminal Apron Rehabilitation

The commissioners approved several items, all by a 2‑yes, 0‑no vote. They adopted updates to the employee handbook, a renewal MOU with the University of Georgia Extension Cooperative, and a $236,194.80 radio console upgrade with additional software costs. They accepted a $1,472,737.50 GDOT grant for the airport’s south terminal apron rehabilitation and approved a cost‑free Master Services Agreement with Life Safety Inspection Vault and a school affiliation agreement with Piedmont Hospital. They also approved a rezoning of an agricultural parcel to residential‑rural (RZ‑190987).

Mon Sep 8, 2025

Planning Commission

✓ Decided: Planning Commission approved two rezoning requests, including a 12‑acre split

The commission adopted the August 11 minutes and deferred case RZ‑191004 to after RZ‑191011. It approved the rezoning of a 12‑acre portion of parcel 053D 079, converting 1 acre to Rural Residential and 11 acres to Highway Business. It also approved the rezoning of 1.5 acres of parcel 018 030 050 from Small Agricultural to Rural Residential. The meeting was adjourned at 5:57 P.M.

Mon Aug 18, 2025

Board of Commissioners

✓ Decided: Board approves referendum for distilled‑spirit sales and objects to Jasper annexation

The Board approved agenda changes and the June 21, 2025 meeting minutes. It approved a conditional‑use rezoning for a 30.61‑acre parcel and designated Chairman Kris Stancil as the county voting delegate to the ACCG Legislative Leadership Conference. Commissioners approved a special referendum to allow package‑store sales of distilled spirits in unincorporated Pickens County and voted to object to the City of Jasper’s annexation request for 48.65 acres at 773 Fairview Road. The board also adopted six ordinance amendments covering fire protection, land‑use intensity, development standards, roads, and general provisions.

Mon Aug 11, 2025

Planning Commission

✓ Decided: Planning Commission unanimously approved three rezoning requests

The commission adopted the July 14 minutes (6-0). It approved rezoning of parcel #031 113 001 from Agricultural to Rural Residential (7-0), parcel #044A 002 from Agricultural to Rural Residential (7-0), and parcel #050 028 from Rural Residential to Highway Business (7-0). The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 P.M. after a unanimous motion.

Mon Jul 21, 2025

Board of Commissioners

✓ Decided: Board authorizes water connection with Ellijay‑Gilmer Authority and approves multiple public‑safety purchases

The Pickens County Board approved a motion to let the Chairman secure a water‑supply connection with the Ellijay‑Gilmer Water and Sewer Authority. It also approved purchases of a commercial rescue pumper truck and a Medix ambulance, a 3‑way stop at Buchanan and Wilkie Road, a medication‑management contract, and budget amendments. Several rezoning requests were approved. All votes were 2‑yes, 0‑no.

Mon Jul 14, 2025

Planning Commission

✓ Decided: Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use for a 30‑acre winery event site

The commission adopted the June 9 minutes with a 5‑0 vote. A pending rezoning request (RZ‑190967) was withdrawn. The commission voted 5‑0 to conditionally approve a winery event use on a 30.61‑acre parcel in the Agricultural district. The meeting was adjourned unanimously.

Mon Jul 7, 2025

Board of Commissioners

✓ Decided: Board approved a resolution to hold a SPLOST referendum election

The commissioners approved the meeting agenda by a 2‑0 vote. They also approved a resolution to call a November 4, 2025 referendum to reimpose a special one‑percent sales tax (SPLOST) by a 2‑0 vote. No other motions were decided, and the meeting was adjourned.

Mon Jun 16, 2025

Board of Commissioners

✓ Decided: Board approved contracts, policies, grant, and temporary burn‑ban lift

The board approved agenda amendments adding items on the 2026 SPLOST discussion and the Henderson Mountain Road Water Line Project bid. It approved updates to the financial management policy, a $225,949 MOU with North Georgia Community Action Agency, and acceptance of a $688,324 ARPA grant for courtroom audio‑visual equipment. Commissioners voted to temporarily lift the county burn ban for 60 days, to award the $1,920,722.50 water line contract to Ohmshiv Construction, and to maintain the previously adopted 5‑year SPLOST plan. Additional actions included approving four rezones, appointing Sandy Tatum to the library board, and adopting the meeting minutes.

Mon Jun 9, 2025

Planning Commission

✓ Decided: Planning Commission approved rezoning of 247.96‑acre tract for winery and small events

The commission adopted the May 12 minutes (4‑0). It approved rezoning applications for a 0.72‑acre rural residential addition, a 14.15‑acre split into two lots, a 247.96‑acre winery and event venue, and a 14.3‑acre small‑event equestrian venue, each with a 6‑0 unanimous vote. One application (RZ‑190942) was withdrawn. The meeting adjourned unanimously.

Thu May 22, 2025

Board of Commissioners

✓ Decided: Board approves 7.234‑mill tax rollback and restructures county government

The board set the 2025 estimated property tax rollback millage rate at 7.234 mills. It denied the airport fencing contract, appointed an Airport Advisory Board, and approved a resolution to restructure the county’s internal organization. The board also acted on land‑use matters, denying one rezoning, approving another with a stipulation, and approving several conditional‑use permits and a rezoning for event space. All votes were 2‑yes to 0‑no unless otherwise noted.

Mon May 12, 2025

Planning Commission

✓ Decided: Planning Commission unanimously approved four rezoning requests

The commission adopted the April 14 minutes with a 5‑0 vote. It approved rezoning of a 3‑acre parcel from Estate Residential to Rural Residential, a .54‑acre parcel from Rural Residential to Highway Business, a 34.74‑acre parcel from Agricultural to Small Agricultural, and a 0.5‑acre parcel to Highway Business with the remaining 8.85 acres to Small Agricultural. All motions passed unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned with a 5‑0 vote.

Mon May 5, 2025

Board of Commissioners

✓ Decided: Board authorizes referendum process for new county SPLOST

The commissioners approved amendments to five chapters of the Pickens County Code of Ordinances. They adopted a resolution authorizing the chairman to begin steps for a November 4, 2025 SPLOST referendum. The 2024 budget amendments were also approved. The meeting was then adjourned.

Mon Apr 21, 2025

Board of Commissioners

✓ Decided: Board approved fire station contract, code update, and road abandonment

The commissioners approved the annual extension agreement with the University of Georgia, updates to the employee handbook, and adoption of the 2023 National Electrical Code. They also approved a $878,700 bid for the Talking Rock Fire Station and voted to abandon a portion of Pettit Road. Several land‑use actions were taken, including tabling one rezoning and approving others.

Mon Apr 14, 2025

Planning Commission

✓ Decided: Planning Commission approves multiple rezones and conditional use permits

The commission unanimously approved the withdrawal of one rezoning application, approved several rezoning changes—including a 1‑acre AG to ER conversion and a dual‑parcel rezoning—and approved two Conditional Use permits for event spaces. It also denied a request to rezone a 2.2‑acre parcel from Rural Residential to Suburban Residential. All votes were 6‑0 in favor.

Mon Apr 7, 2025

Board of Commissioners

✓ Decided: No decisions were made at the April 7 Board of Commissioners meeting

The board issued a proclamation for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and reviewed land‑use rezoning requests, the 2023 National Electrical Code, and recreation activities. It announced upcoming votes on rezoning, the NEC adoption, and the Talking Rock fire‑station low bidder at the April 21 meeting, and noted a retreat and office closure. No formal actions or votes were taken.