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Newton County Meetings

Board of Commissioners, June 16, 2026

Votes on Rezoning at Highway 81 and Cowan Road, passed

2h 38m21,455 words
99 mentionsland usemotion to approveapprovedrezoningcommercialzoningresidentialrezonetabledtraffic studysubdivisionpublic hearingNewton County, GA
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What happened

The Newton County Board of Commissioners tabled rezoning petition REZ26-0000004 for 3.63 acres at the corner of Highway 81 and Cowan Road (from R-2 to general commercial for a 10,800-sq-ft multi-tenant retail building) for 60 days on a voice vote, after the Planning Commission re…

Meeting key facts
Jurisdiction
Newton County, GA
Governing body
Final authority
Date
June 16, 2026
Decisions
18 zoning decisions
Outcome
Tabled, passed

Projects in this meeting (1)

Termination of Convenience Store Moratorium

Awaiting final vote

Free sample: decision 1 of 18

FY2027 Budget Resolution

Adoption of the annual budget for FY beginning July 1, 2026, total $180,107,277 all funds, general fund $113,814,967, holding the millage rate at 8.5. Passed 4-1; Commissioner Henderson opposed after stating he was not able to review the budget line by line.

The other decisions are listed below by title. The full write-up, verbatim conditions, and the audio at each vote are in Pro.

Meeting Summary

The Newton County Board of Commissioners tabled rezoning petition REZ26-0000004 for 3.63 acres at the corner of Highway 81 and Cowan Road (from R-2 to general commercial for a 10,800-sq-ft multi-tenant retail building) for 60 days on a voice vote, after the Planning Commission re…

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Key Decisions (18)

Approved

FY2027 Budget Resolution

Vote: 4-1
Tabled

Rezoning at Highway 81 and Cowan Road

Vote: passed
Approved

FY25 Capital Improvement Elements Short-Term Work Program Annual Report Update

Vote: unanimous
Tabled

Termination of Convenience Store Moratorium

Vote: unanimous
Approved

Solid Waste Permit Modification for County Landfill

Vote: unanimous
Approved

FY2027 Annual Appropriations Resolution

Vote: passed
Approved

FY27 Holiday Calendar

Vote: passed
Approved

Finance Lease for Postage Machines

Vote: passed
Approved

Behavioral Health Court Grant Acceptance

Vote: unanimous
Approved

Family Treatment Court Grant Acceptance

Vote: passed
Approved

Multi-Jurisdictional Solid Waste Management Plan

Vote: passed
Approved

Walmart Spark Good Local Grant for Fire Services

Vote: unanimous
Approved

Senior Services Annual Grant Agreement

Vote: unanimous
Approved

IGA with City of Covington for Juneteenth Celebration

Vote: passedConditions attached
Approved

IGA for Municipal Court Services for Animal Control

Vote: passed
Approved

Carter & Sloan Phase Two Construction Oversight - Cornish Creek Water Treatment Facility Expansion

Vote: unanimous
Approved

Public Facilities Authority Bond Issuance Approval

Vote: passed
Approved

HOST Referendum Resolution

Vote: passed

Zoning Changes (1)

3.63 acres

Development Activity (3)

Multi-tenant retail building at Highway 81 and Cowan Road

Commercial

Cornish Creek Water Treatment Facility Expansion

Infrastructure

Lower River Road MSW Landfill Permit Modification

Infrastructure

Market Signals (5)

Commercial Demand

Residents noted multiple existing commercial and retail properties already zoned…

Commercial Demand

Salem Road reportedly has five gas stations coming and residents…

Infrastructure

Repeated resident testimony flags severe traffic and safety constraints on…

Who Spoke (37)

Staff · 2Applicant's RepWitnessPublic · 14

On the record: 2 staff members, the applicant's representative, a witness, and 14 members of the public.

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