The Lexington City Council directed the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to halt its operations at a special called meeting Sept. 24, after discovering the authority lacked enough appointed members to conduct official business.
The council directed the DDA to cease its financial and business operations except for essential obligations, which will be managed by the city clerk and council members. The authority wasn’t dissolved.
Mayor Evelyn Reece said the DDA had fallen behind on its annual financial reporting to the state, but has since caught up. She said she had not seen evidence of financial wrongdoing and that the authority’s remaining members have cooperated with the city.
The council established a six-month timeline for the DDA to bring its financial records up to date, review its responsibilities and address membership issues.
Reece said the council has taken on responsibilities previously handled by the DDA, including organizing community events.
“I don't think it's sustainable for the council members to continue to absorb that,” Reece said.
She said the city plans to continue those activities while working to reorganize the authority, with much of that work expected to take place in early 2027. Reece added the council wants to establish clearer objectives for the DDA before appointing new members.
“You have to know what the job is, and you have to know what it is you want to accomplish,” Reece said.
Linda Parish was the only confirmed appointed member of the seven-member authority at the Oct. 8 meeting. A resolution formalizing the council’s actions is being drafted.
The council also discussed the need to replace the city’s manual water meters with digital or radio-read meters because replacements are becoming increasingly difficult to find.
Interim water superintendent George Spearing III said the city’s current system doesn’t support newer meters. Reece said grant funding for the upgrades would require a water rate increase.
Water rates have not increased since 2019, and the council previously postponed discussion of a proposed $3 increase.
In other news, the Lexington City Council:
- Adopted Lexington’s components of the Oglethorpe County Comprehensive Plan for 2027-31.
- Heard that roof repairs are underway at 114 W. Main St., one of the properties owned by Rick Hawkins.
- Heard that roadwork on Church and Durpee streets was expected to begin Oct. 19, weather permitting.
- Announced plans for a Georgia Trust Expedition tour of historic homes in summer 2027.
- Announced Kathrine Clark, Linda Moore and Sam Nash as members of the city’s tree council.
- Heard that the memorandum of agreement for federal grant-funded repairs to Beth Salem had been signed by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
Arnoldsville
The Arnoldsville City Council voted to adopt the Oglethorpe County Comprehensive Plan, despite three council members acknowledging they had not read the 102-page document.
Council members Blake Arnold and Joyce Sniff voted in favor of adopting the plan, while Douglas Cosby abstained, citing concerns about approving a document he had not reviewed.
“I'm uncomfortable voting for something I don't see,” Cosby said.
The council initially discussed postponing the vote to allow members time to read the plan, but ultimately proceeded with its adoption. Lillian Sanders presided over the meeting in Mayor Danny Morcom’s absence.
The council also discussed developing a comprehensive drought ordinance and increasing water rates for customers who use more than 10,000 gallons per month.
The proposed ordinance would establish different levels of water restrictions based on drought conditions, with increasingly strict limits on water usage as conditions worsen.
Council members discussed charging higher rates for excessive water usage while allowing exemptions for agricultural customers and residents experiencing unusual hardships.
No new rates were approved.
The council also discussed establishing a text message notification system to alert water customers about service interruptions and drought restrictions. City officials will check whether the current billing system supports text notifications.
In other news, the Arnoldsville City Council:
- Approved the city’s 2027 budget, increasing the general fund budget from $133,400 to $141,100 while keeping the total water department budget unchanged.
- Discussed whether the city’s zoning regulations should establish minimum square footage requirements for homes and clarify rules for accessory dwelling units.
- Heard that a water line damaged during work by Windstream had been repaired.
- Heard a resident’s concerns about an exposed water line along Pine Grove Road and agreed to notify the water department.
Maxeys
The Firefly Trail paving project has been put on hold while the city works to finalize an alternate route around a property along the trail, Mayor Edward Toledano said.
The city previously expected construction on the remaining section of the trail to begin in September.
In other news, the Maxeys City Council:
- Approved a resolution for the 2027-31 Oglethorpe County Comprehensive Plan.
- Approved the installation of a live Christmas tree on City Hall property, and plans for decorating and a holiday dinner Nov. 21.
- Approved the 2026 Maxeys Christmas Parade for Dec. 5.
- Approved a resolution establishing poll worker shifts for early voting and Election Day.
- Approved compensation for poll workers for the City Council seat election.
Crawford
The Crawford City Council approved a bid of just under $9,500 for a security camera system at its Oct. 13 meeting. The city received one bid for the project.
The security cameras will be installed at any properties that the city owns, clerk Amy Wall-Lance said. This includes, but is not limited, to City Hall, the Crawford wastewater plant, and the water plant.
The council also approved Jerome Dalton’s request to build a barndominium at 1000 Athens Road to perform light mechanical work on his personally owned tractor trucks.
Dalton said he owns 10 trucks, but wouldn’t park them on the property. He plans to build a home there.
In other news, the Crawford City Council:
- Approved the hiring of David Isaiah Freeman, who holds a Class III water license, as a part-time employee.
- Adopted the 2027-31 Oglethorpe County Comprehensive Plan and authorized Mayor Alan Erwin to sign the resolution.
- Approved a request to operate a farm stand selling baked goods next to the beauty shop at 203 North St.
- Approved 2027 Christmas bonuses and employee raises following an executive session.
- Heard that the county’s volunteer fire departments will become part of the Oglethorpe County Fire Association following the dissolution of the consolidated fire department structure.