The Walker County Board of Commissioners delayed action on the county’s proposed FY2027 budget while taking up several other matters during its Aug. 6 meeting, including a temporary moratorium on data centers, a veterans housing project and a proposed increase in Walker Transit fares.
Commissioners removed a vote on the FY2027 budget from the meeting agenda and instead agreed to hold another work session before moving forward. That work session is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 1 p.m. at the Walker County Administration Building, located at 101 S. Duke Street in LaFayette.
The current budget proposal includes approximately $1.9 million more in expenses than projected revenues.
County officials are continuing to work through several factors affecting the spending plan, including inflationary increases and state mandates. Some higher expenses, including the county’s new ambulance service contract, are already locked in.
Other issues still under discussion include adding firefighters, providing cost-of-living adjustments for county employees and determining how to handle county services where existing fees no longer cover the cost of providing those services.
Walker County operates on a fiscal year running from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. Commissioners will need to approve a new budget or adopt a continuing resolution by Sept. 30.
In other action, commissioners approved a variance request from the Battlefield Veterans Village Foundation involving property on Park City Road within the Battlefield Overlay District. The variance will allow manufactured homes to be placed on the property to provide housing for homeless veterans and veterans who are facing homelessness.
The board also voted to close a portion of Concord Road in East Armuchee.
Commissioners approved a resolution directing Walker County to apply for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant. If awarded, the funding would be used for recreational enhancements at Adventure Acres Park.
Another significant action involved the growing data center industry. Commissioners enacted a 180-day moratorium on data centers in unincorporated Walker County.
The temporary moratorium prevents a potential data center from requesting a permit while the county attorney and other staff members review Walker County’s zoning regulations and develop possible amendments specifically addressing data centers.
Among the issues expected to be considered are which zoning districts should allow data centers, along with requirements involving setbacks, buffers, noise, lighting, water and electricity demand, environmental impacts and compatibility with surrounding land uses.
Commissioners also created a data center study group that will provide additional input as the county considers potential regulations.
Meanwhile, a proposal to increase fares for Walker Transit failed to gain approval.
The proposal would have increased fares from the current $4 per trip to $5 per trip for seniors and individuals with disabilities and $10 per trip for all other riders.
Walker Transit fares have not been adjusted since 2014. According to information presented to commissioners, the program lost $692,036 last year.
With the proposed increase voted down, the existing Walker Transit fare structure will remain in place for now.
The Board of Commissioners will return to the FY2027 budget discussion during the Aug. 18 work session as county leaders work toward adopting a spending plan before the end of the current fiscal year.