The Walker County Board of Commissioners met Thursday, March 5, reviewing county finances, approving rezoning requests, and awarding several contracts for infrastructure and county projects.
Financial Report Shows County Ahead of Budget Targets
Walker County Chief Financial Officer Christian Roach presented preliminary audit numbers for fiscal year 2025.
Roach reported that year-to-date revenue is currently about 37 percent of annual expectations, while expenditures stand at approximately 23.54 percent of the yearly budget.
Officials said the county remains under its projected spending targets and continues to maintain a strong financial position.
Roach also provided an update on the 2020 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) cycle and T-SPLOST collections, noting that revenue and expenditures reports will be made publicly available.
Budget Amendments Proposed
Commissioners reviewed a proposed fiscal year 2025 budget amendment to ensure compliance with state law requiring government budgets to reflect actual spending levels.
The amendment includes:
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A $2.5 million increase in revenue projections
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A $3 million increase in expenditures
Officials said the changes reflect updated revenue trends, transfers between funds, and grant match requirements.
Rezoning and Variance Requests Approved
During a public hearing portion of the meeting, commissioners approved several zoning requests:
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Christy White – Partial rezoning from commercial to residential-agricultural for a single-family home.
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Cora Sue Burse – Rezoning of approximately 6.2 acres from agricultural to residential-agricultural.
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Joel Nicks – Partial rezoning from agricultural to residential-agricultural for a future home site.
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Jay Brooks – Variance allowing division of less than five acres so two homes can be built for family members.
One commissioner expressed concerns about the Burse rezoning because of its proximity to nearby poultry houses, but the request was ultimately approved.
Contracts Awarded for County Projects
Commissioners also approved several contracts for county projects and maintenance work, including:
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A contract with WLA Studio for Phase II of the Walker County Historic Resource Survey.
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A contract with HL Construction for the Ivy Street culvert replacement project.
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A second contract with HL Construction for repairs to the county fleet and Public Works facility.
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A contract with D’Angelo Contracting for right-of-way weed control services.
Public Comment Raises Safety Concern
During the public comment period, resident Ginger Barcum raised concerns that the county planning department had not enforced safety requirements for a private drive serving multiple homes on East Long Hauler Road.
Commissioners said the issue would be reviewed with county planning staff and legal counsel to determine whether the driveway meets the county’s safety standards.
Property Agreement Approved in Rossville
Commissioners also approved a memorandum of understanding involving property in Rossville.
Officials said the agreement will allow the land to be conveyed to the Joint Economic Development Authority, a move intended to help keep an existing local business operating in Walker County.