Oconee County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Oconee County commissioners' Oct. 6 agenda took up Clotfelter Road rezoning, park and tennis court bids

No minutes have been published for any of the five Oconee County meetings listed in the past two weeks, so no vote, contract award or dollar figure can be reported as decided. What follows is drawn from the agendas themselves. The heaviest agenda was the Board of Commissioners', which listed zoning action, bid awards and a right-of-way abandonment.

Board of Commissioners, Oct. 6

The board's agenda for its 6:00 PM meeting in the Commission Meeting Chambers at the Oconee County Administrative Building listed hearings and action on three zoning matters:

• Rezone #P26-0180: William Kirk McClellan requests rezoning from AR to R-1 on 3.0 acres at 2251 Clotfelter Rd (Residential).
• Variance #P26-0202: William Kirk McClellan requests a waiver of the sidewalk requirement along the property frontage at 2251 Clotfelter Rd.
• Special Use #P26-0181: Bethlehem First Baptist Church Inc, Larry T. Davison & Jean Davison request modification of conditions of an existing Special Use Approval on 47.38 acres at 1131 Goat Farm Rd, 6441 Hog Mountain Rd, 6401 Hog Mountain Rd, Goat Farm Rd (Commercial).

The agenda also listed a public hearing on abandoning rights-of-way at 2015 Simonton Bridge Road, and contracts and bids including the OVP Tennis Court Project bid award and the Heritage Park Trail bid award. Consent items included an EMS Provider Contract with St. Mary's and Piedmont, a Bear Creek Water Treatment Plant Expansion amendment for Jacobs Engineering, and a budget amendment for FY27 law enforcement vehicles. The agenda text does not state dollar amounts for any of these items, and no vote tallies are available.

Board of Elections, Oct. 5

The Board of Elections and Registration agenda listed no new business and no unfinished business. It called for approval of the agenda and the minutes of the Sept. 14, 2026 meeting, public comment, and a director's report covering Logic and Accuracy Testing, an absentee ballot update and a voter registration update. Public comment was limited to three minutes per speaker and 15 minutes total, with candidates for office barred from addressing the board during the qualification-to-election period. An executive session on personnel matters and/or potential litigation was listed as "if needed."

The agenda listed these dates: Oct. 5 as the first day to mail civilian absentee ballots and the voter registration deadline; Oct. 23 as the absentee ballot request deadline; Oct. 13-30 advance voting; Nov. 3 Election Day; Nov. 6 certification meeting; and Nov. 13 risk limiting audit.

Animal Services, Oct. 7

The Animal Services Advisory Board agenda was largely procedural: approval of minutes from the July 15, 2026 meeting, public comments limited to five minutes per speaker, and updates from Manager of Animal Services Crystal Berisko. The update section listed only headings — Budget, Projects, Stats, Events, Other — with no details or dollar amounts. Discussion of meeting dates and a New Business item with no details were also listed.

Fire Rescue station chiefs, Oct. 12

The Station Chiefs/Membership Meeting was scheduled for 6:00 PM at Station 8. The agenda listed approval of September minutes, fleet and facilities work orders, October training and a potential volunteer recruit list, monthly training hours, and status updates on the 502 Replacement Tanker and the 201, 501 and 701 Top Mount Crosslays. A possible executive session on personnel matters was listed if needed. No votes, contracts or dollar amounts appear in the agenda text.

Tax Assessors, Oct. 13

The October meeting of the Board of Tax Assessors was canceled. No other items were listed.

Coming up

The Library Board of Trustees meets Oct. 20 to review manager, regional, director and financial reports, and is scheduled to discuss regional board members from Oconee. Agendas and any later-published minutes for these bodies are the authoritative record.

Oconee County commissioners advance park, EMS, water and vehicle items to Oct. 6 consent agenda

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 to approve its Sept. 29 meeting agenda and moved a set of project, contract and budget items to its Oct. 6 consent agenda for final action, according to official minutes. Minutes from the Oct. 6 meeting have not been published, so the outcome of those items is not established in the records available.

What the board decided Sept. 29

According to the minutes, the board approved the Sept. 29, 2026 agenda on a 3-0 vote. By consensus, it moved the following to the Oct. 6 consent agenda:

• A Debris Management Plan resolution
• The Heritage Park Trail bid award to Steele & Associates
• An EMS Provider Contract Agreement
• A Bear Creek Water Treatment Plant expansion amendment
• An FY27 law enforcement vehicle budget amendment
• Acceptance of deeds and easements

Moving an item to a consent agenda is a procedural step toward a later vote, not final approval.

Zoning and land on the Oct. 6 agenda

The Oct. 6 agenda listed hearings and action on zoning matters:

• Rezone #P26-0180: William Kirk McClellan requests rezoning from AR to R-1 on 3.0 acres at 2251 Clotfelter Rd (Residential)
• Variance #P26-0202: William Kirk McClellan requests a waiver of the sidewalk requirement along the property frontage at 2251 Clotfelter Rd
• Special Use #P26-0181: Bethlehem First Baptist Church Inc, Larry T. Davison & Jean Davison request modification of conditions of an existing Special Use Approval on 47.38 acres at 1131 Goat Farm Rd, 6441 Hog Mountain Rd, 6401 Hog Mountain Rd, Goat Farm Rd (Commercial)
• A public hearing on abandonment of rights-of-way at 2015 Simonton Bridge Road

The same agenda listed the OVP Tennis Court Project bid award and the Heritage Park Trail bid award.

Contracts and budget

The Oct. 6 consent items included an EMS Provider Contract with St. Mary's and Piedmont, a Bear Creek Water Treatment Plant Expansion amendment for Jacobs Engineering, and an FY27 law enforcement vehicles budget amendment. No dollar amounts appear in the agenda text.

Elections

The Board of Elections and Registration scheduled a meeting for Oct. 5 at 5:00 p.m. at 7635 Macon Hwy, Watkinsville. Its agenda listed no new business and no unfinished business. The director's report was to cover logic and accuracy testing, an absentee ballot update, and a voter registration update. Public comment was limited to three minutes per speaker and 15 minutes total, with candidates for office barred from addressing the board during the qualification-to-election period. The agenda listed these dates: Oct. 5 as the first day to mail civilian absentee ballots and the voter registration deadline; Oct. 23 as the absentee ballot request deadline; Oct. 13-30 advance voting; Nov. 3 Election Day; Nov. 6 certification meeting; and Nov. 13 risk limiting audit. An executive session on personnel matters and/or potential litigation was listed as "if needed." Minutes have not been published.

Other boards

The Oconee County Industrial Development Authority's Sept. 29 agenda, for a meeting at 8:30 a.m. at 7635 Macon Highway, included an executive session to review a proposal described as temporarily exempt from Open Records Act disclosure. No project names or dollar amounts appear in the agenda text. The agenda also listed approval of minutes from a June 15, 2026 called meeting.

The Animal Services Advisory Board's Oct. 7 agenda, for a 6:00 p.m. meeting in the Animal Services Manager's Office, was largely procedural: minutes from July 15, 2026, public comments limited to five minutes per speaker, and updates from Manager of Animal Services Crystal Berisko. The update section listed only headings — Budget, Projects, Stats, Events, Other — with no details or dollar amounts.

The Oconee Fire Rescue Station Chiefs/Membership Meeting was scheduled for Oct. 12 at 6:00 p.m. at Station 8. Its agenda covered approval of September minutes, fleet and facilities work orders, October training and a potential volunteer recruit list, monthly training hours, and status updates on the 502 Replacement Tanker and 201, 501, 701 Top Mount Crosslays. A possible executive session on personnel matters was listed if needed. No votes, contracts or dollar amounts appear in the agenda text.

Coming up

• **Oct. 13 — Board of Tax Assessors:** the October meeting has been canceled. No other items are listed.
• **Oct. 20 — Library Board of Trustees:** the board will review manager, regional, director and financial reports, and is scheduled to discuss regional board members from Oconee.

Oconee County Board to Consider Tax Millage, Rezoning at Aug. 4 Meeting

Oconee County's Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on the 2026 tax millage levy at its Aug. 4 meeting, and will also consider a commercial rezoning request and a transportation grant application. The meeting was the only one with substantive items on the agenda; three other county boards met later in the week on routine procedural matters. Minutes for all four meetings have not yet been published.

Board of Commissioners (Aug. 4)

The board's agenda included a public hearing on the 2026 Tax Millage Levy, a step before setting the property tax rate. Also on the agenda:

• **Rezone #P26-0122** for Burgess Jennings Mill Land, LLC, covering 22.63 acres across addresses on Research Pkwy, Goddard Way, and CAAP Drive.
• A resolution supporting a Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) grant application.
• A quit claim deed for the North Main Street property at Third Street.
• A bid award for EMS billing services.

No votes were recorded in the agenda; the items were listed for consideration.

Tourism and Visitors Bureau (Aug. 11)

The tourism board met to approve minutes from May and receive a director update. The agenda listed no substantive decisions or public hearings.

Board of Tax Assessors (Aug. 11)

The tax assessors handled routine property tax matters, including approving minutes from July 14, reviewing and approving appraisals, approving 30-day notices, approving Board of Equalization actions, and reviewing a ratio study from the Georgia Department of Audits. The agenda was largely procedural with no major policy decisions listed.

Board of Health (Aug. 12)

The Board of Health held a routine meeting that included approval of prior minutes, old and new business, a district update, and a report from Keli Hinson on environmental health activities. A public input period was also on the agenda. No specific decisions or proposals were listed.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings were listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the county's official meeting calendar for future agendas.

Oconee County Board approves TSPLOST referendum for November ballot

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 on July 28 to approve a referendum resolution and intergovernmental agreement seeking renewal of the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST). The measure will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The board also approved a water main relocation on Osbourne Road and a sewer encroachment agreement with Georgia Transmission Corporation.

TSPLOST referendum approved

The board approved both the referendum resolution and the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) for TSPLOST by identical 4-0 votes. The IGA outlines how the sales tax proceeds would be distributed among participating governments. The Board of Elections is scheduled to meet July 29 to vote on calling the special election for November 3, 2026. If approved, absentee applications would begin Aug. 17, and advance voting would run Oct. 13–30.

Other actions from July 28

In addition to the TSPLOST items, the board approved:

• Osbourne Road water main relocation (4-0)
• Georgia Transmission Corporation Encroachment Agreement for the US 441 Sanitary Sewer Diversion (4-0)
• The July 28 agenda (4-0)

The board also held a public hearing on the 2026 Tax Millage Levy. A final vote on the millage rate is scheduled for Aug. 25, 2026.

Upcoming decisions on Aug. 4 agenda

The Board of Commissioners will meet Aug. 4 to consider several items, though minutes have not yet been published. The agenda includes:

• A public hearing on the 2026 Tax Millage Levy (continued from July 28)
• Rezone #P26-0122 for Burgess Jennings Mill Land, LLC, covering 22.63 acres across multiple addresses on Research Pkwy, Goddard Way, and CAAP Drive
• A resolution supporting a Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) grant application
• A quit claim deed for the North Main Street property at Third Street
• A bid award for EMS billing services

No vote tallies or dollar amounts are available for these items because the meeting has not yet occurred.

Board of Elections agenda

The Board of Elections met July 29 with an agenda that included calling the TSPLOST special election, recount results, ballot image audit, risk-limiting audit, and new legislation. Minutes from that meeting have not been published, so no decisions are confirmed.

Coming up

• **Board of Tax Assessors** – Aug. 11, 2026: Routine property tax matters including appraisals, 30-day notices, Board of Equalization actions, and a ratio study from the Georgia Department of Audits. No major policy decisions are listed.
• **Tourism and Visitors Bureau** – Aug. 11, 2026: Procedural meeting to approve May minutes and receive a director update. No substantive decisions or public hearings are scheduled.

Residents interested in the TSPLOST referendum or the millage rate may want to attend the Aug. 25 Board of Commissioners meeting, where the final millage vote is expected.

Oconee County boards tackle tax millage, TSPLOST election, and commercial rezoning in busy two-week stretch

Oconee County residents saw a packed schedule of public meetings over the past two weeks, with the Board of Commissioners, Planning Commission, Board of Elections, and several advisory boards all convening. However, minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, so only agenda items — not final outcomes — can be reported at this time.

Board of Commissioners: Tax millage, TSPLOST, EMS billing on agenda

The Board of Commissioners met July 28 with a full agenda. The meeting opened with a public hearing on the 2026 Tax Millage Levy. During the regular session, commissioners were scheduled to discuss and possibly act on a traffic calming policy, a bid award for EMS billing services, a Georgia Department of Transportation utility aid contract amendment for SR53/Rays Church/Malcom Bridge Road, and a referendum resolution for TSPLOST. An executive session was also anticipated for land acquisition, personnel, or litigation matters.

Because minutes are not yet available, it is not possible to confirm which items were voted on or what the outcomes were.

Board of Elections: Special election call for TSPLOST

The Board of Elections met July 29 and was scheduled to vote on calling a special election for the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) on November 3, 2026. The director was set to report on recount results, a ballot image audit, a risk-limiting audit, and new legislation. The board also planned to approve minutes from its June 22, 2026 meeting.

Upcoming election deadlines noted on the agenda include absentee applications beginning August 17, 2026, and advance voting October 13–30, 2026.

Planning Commission: Commercial rezone modification

On July 20, the Planning Commission considered Rezone #P26-0122, filed by Burgess Jennings Mill Land, LLC. The request seeks to modify conditions of two previously approved rezones (P24-0100 and P25-0188) on 22.63 acres of commercial property. The parcels span multiple addresses on Research Parkway, Goddard Way, and CAAP Drive: 1225, 1521, 1701, 1817, 1520 Research Pkwy; 1750, 1470 Goddard Way; 1100 Research Pkwy; and 1455, 1821, 1470 CAAP Drive.

Advisory boards and committees

Several advisory bodies also met during this period:

• **Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission** (July 20): Agenda included a budget report, an Executive Director report on current programs, and committee breakout reports.
• **Library Advisory Board** (July 21): Scheduled to review reports from the branch manager, regional office, director, and financial officer, with budget approval on the agenda.
• **Recreation Advisory Committee** (July 21): Discussed park projects and park updates, with public comments scheduled before adjournment.

Coming up

The Board of Commissioners meets again on August 4, 2026, with several notable items:

• A second public hearing on the 2026 Tax Millage Levy
• Rezone #P26-0122 for Burgess Jennings Mill Land, LLC — the same 22.63-acre commercial rezone modification heard by the Planning Commission on July 20
• A resolution supporting a Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) Grant Application
• A quit claim deed for North Main Street property at Third Street
• A bid award for EMS billing services

Residents interested in the tax millage levy, the commercial rezoning, or the EMS billing contract may want to attend. Check the county's official website for meeting times, locations, and any agenda updates.

Oconee County boards weighed bridge repairs, water upgrade, and land transfer; minutes pending

Oconee County's Board of Commissioners had a busy two weeks, with agendas covering bridge repair contracts, a water-reuse facility loan modification, a 42.7-acre land transfer, and multiple rezoning cases. However, minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, so outcomes — including whether votes passed — are not yet part of the public record.

Board of Commissioners — July 6

Commissioners and the Board of Education were scheduled to discuss a proposed intergovernmental agreement covering ownership and operation of the Oconee County Civic Center, along with a proposed transfer of 42.7 acres on Highway 441 near Bishop. The agenda lists both items for discussion; no vote tally or decision is available because minutes have not been published.

Board of Commissioners — July 7

The July 7 agenda included several items set for action:

• **FY 27 bridge repairs** — a bid award was on the agenda.
• **Calls Creek WRF upgrade** — a GEFA loan modification for construction to upgrade the water-reuse facility to 3 MGD.
• **Rezone #P26-0115** — AAC Land Partners, LLC, seeking rezoning of 14.3550 acres at 1660 Plaza Pkwy (vacant) and modification of conditions from rezoning #P24-0115.
• **Variance #P26-0116** — AAC Land Partners, LLC, seeking to reduce off-street parking requirements for the same 14.3550 acres at 1660 Plaza Pkwy.
• **MOU with Brightside Company, LLC** — for holiday lighting at OVP.

The agenda also referenced solid waste and recycling collection bids, rezoning and variance requests for properties on Experiment Station Rd, Malcom Bridge Rd, and Allegheny Ln, a fire-hydrant testing contract amendment, a budget amendment for runoff election expenses, and a personnel policy update. No dollar amounts or vote tallies are available; minutes are not yet published.

Oconee Fire Rescue Station Chiefs — July 13

Station chiefs met for a procedural update covering approval of June minutes, fleet and facility work orders, training review, volunteer recruitment, driver training, and replacement trucks for units 202, 502, and 801. No decisions or public hearings were scheduled. The agenda noted a possible executive session for personnel matters.

Board of Tax Assessors — July 14

The Board of Tax Assessors was scheduled to review 13 Conservation Use Value (CUV) applications and two CUV releases. The CUV applications included parcels for Bennwwitz/Thompson (307.60 acres) and Branch (45.94 acres). Releases were listed for Equity Trust Company parcels B-06W-005 and B-06W-006. The board was also set to approve a freeport exemption for Caterpillar, car appeals filed between January 1 and June 30, 2026, and 30-day notices. Outcomes are not yet available.

Animal Services Advisory Board — July 15

The Animal Services Advisory Board was scheduled to approve minutes from May 6, 2026, elect new officers, and receive updates from Manager Crystal Berisko on budget, projects, stats, events, and other matters. Public comments were limited to 5 minutes each. No specific financial amounts or decisions were listed on the agenda.

Coming up

• **July 20 — Planning Commission:** Rezone #P26-0122, in which Burgess Jennings Mill Land, LLC seeks to modify conditions of existing rezones (P24-0100 and P25-0188) on 22.63 acres of commercial property across multiple addresses on Research Pkwy, Goddard Way, and CAAP Drive.
• **July 20 — Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission:** Budget report, Executive Director report, and committee breakout reports.
• **July 21 — Library Advisory Board:** Scheduled to consider budget approval, with reports from the branch manager, regional office, director, and financial officer.
• **July 21 — Recreation Advisory Committee:** Park projects and park updates on the agenda, with public comments before adjournment.

Note: All recent meeting summaries above are based on agendas only. Minutes have not been published, so final decisions, vote tallies, and any dollar amounts approved are not yet confirmed in the public record.