The Walker County Board of Commissioners will hold its next regular meeting on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at the county’s official chambers and is open to the public.
Chairwoman Shannon Whitfield Teems will call the meeting to order, following an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. After establishing a quorum and approving the agenda and minutes from the September 4 meeting, the Board will hear comments from the Chair and receive both financial and departmental reports.
EPA Grant Presentation & Zoning Hearings
A key feature of the evening will be a presentation from environmental consulting firm Terracon, discussing progress related to the EPA Brownfield Grant, which aims to assist the county in redeveloping and rehabilitating underused properties.
The Board will also hold a Public Hearing on Planning & Zoning matters. In accordance with Walker County Code Chapter 22-109(c), only written comments will be accepted from the public, except for applicants themselves, who are allotted five minutes to speak.
Four zoning-related items are scheduled for hearing:
Bobbie J. Burke seeks to rezone property on Durham Road in Rising Fawn from Agricultural (A-1) to Residential/Agricultural (RA).
Sean and Penny Hayes Broome request a conditional use variance for property on Hog Jowl Road in Chickamauga.
The Walker County Board of Education is requesting a variance for property on North Hwy 27 in Chickamauga.
James H. Blakemore seeks a variance for property on Glentana Street in Rossville.
Unfinished Business & Animal Ordinance
Under unfinished business, the Board will revisit Ordinance O-03-24, which proposes amendments to Chapter 4 of the County Code regarding spay/neuter and licensing requirements for cats and dogs. This ordinance has been tabled multiple times since April.
Also returning to the agenda is a variance request from Paul Leming concerning a property on Old Mineral Springs Road in LaFayette. The Planning Commission has recommended denial due to the property being less than the required five acres.
Consent Agenda Resolutions
Several resolutions will be considered as part of the Consent Agenda, which is designed for non-controversial items to be approved collectively unless objected to by a Commissioner:
R-058-25: Tuition Reimbursement Policy
R-059-25: Establishment of a County Travel Policy
R-064-25: Holiday Calendar for County Offices in 2026
R-067-25: Retaining legal counsel in PFAS class action lawsuit
R-070-25: Adoption of a 2026 Tourism, Convention, and Trade Shows Budget
New Business Highlights
Several items will be introduced under new business, including:
Ordinance O-02-25 to amend land development regulations
R-065-25 to ratify compensation for the County Coroner
R-068-25 and R-069-25, involving surplus property and an Agriculture Center storage building construction contract
Multiple purchase orders totaling more than $378,000 for environmental testing, law enforcement equipment, and culvert repairs at Naomi Elementary School (to be partially reimbursed by the Board of Education)
Zoning decisions also return under New Business, with final votes expected on the same requests presented earlier during the public hearing:
The Planning Commission recommended approval of requests by Burke, Broome, and Blakemore
The Board of Education’s variance request was recommended for denial
Closing Remarks & Future Meetings
Following public comments, Commissioner remarks, and any necessary executive session, the meeting will adjourn.
The next regular meeting of the Walker County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., to be held at the new location: 201 South Duke Street.