The Putnam County Board of Commissioners took steps Friday afternoon to reshape the county's sign regulations while also approving road resurfacing projects, advancing plans for the next Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST), and authorizing bids for a new irrigation system at the nine-hole Uncle Remus Golf Course near downtown Eatonton.
Commissioners Steve Hersey, Richard Garrett and Tom McElhenney first unanimously approved an alcohol license for Long Shoals Liquor before turning to a proposed six-month moratorium on new permanent signs. District 4 Commissioner Jeff Wooten was absent.
Interim County Manager Byron Lombard said the county's current sign ordinance, adopted in 2007, is overly permissive and no longer reflects the community's desire to preserve its rural character.
The moratorium applies only to new permanent signs, not temporary or political signs, and exempts developments already in the approval process as well as signs that must be relocated because of Georgia Department of Transportation road projects. During the six-month period, county staff will draft a revised ordinance addressing sign size, illumination, placement and off-premises advertising.
Commissioners also discussed whether existing signs that do not meet future standards could eventually be phased out. County Attorney Adam Nelson said Georgia law allows local governments to eliminate some nonconforming signs over time and noted any new ordinance would require multiple public hearings and legal review because sign regulations involve First Amendment considerations.
The board also approved the county's 2026 Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) and Local Road Assistance (LRA) project list, authorizing resurfacing of 1.2 miles of Reid Drive, 1.2 miles of Spring Road and 7.2 miles of Hillsboro Road at a total cost of about $2.55 million.
The proposal prompted debate over how road funding is distributed among commission districts. Hersey argued District 3 carries heavier traffic and generates more tax revenue, making it deserving of a larger share of funding. McElhenney disagreed, saying the county has traditionally based funding on road mileage, a formula that benefits his largely rural District 1 in northwestern Putnam County.
Lombard said the recommended projects were selected based on road conditions and the opportunity to leverage more than $2 million in available state funding. He also encouraged commissioners to complete entire road projects instead of paving isolated sections, as has often been done in recent years.
During public comments, former commission Chairman Billy Webster questioned whether the county's transportation sales tax finances could leave insufficient funds to meet future bond obligations. Lombard acknowledged the county is reviewing its financial position and said concerns remain, but stressed the importance of moving forward with available state funding while those issues are addressed.
Commissioners also approved proposed project categories for the county's T-SPLOST III referendum, allowing them to be included in the intergovernmental agreement with the City of Eatonton. The six-year program is projected to generate nearly $36 million for road resurfacing, safety improvements and equipment purchases before being presented to voters.
Discussion focused on how future T-SPLOST revenue should be allocated and monitored. Hersey said voters approve specific projects and expressed concern that excess collections have not always returned to the board for approval. Lombard said he plans to recommend a policy requiring all T-SPLOST expenditures to come before commissioners before funds are spent, increasing transparency and board oversight.
The board concluded by authorizing staff to solicit competitive bids for the replacement of the aging irrigation system at Uncle Remus Golf Course. Lombard said the existing system no longer functions properly, affecting course conditions and maintenance. If approved after bidding, the project would require an estimated 10-week closure later this year.
Funding would come from remaining SPLOST 9 proceeds and previously allocated SPLOST 10 funds. Commissioners and Nelson also discussed state law governing excess sales tax proceeds and the importance of ensuring expenditures remain consistent with projects approved by voters.
All major agenda items passed. The LMIG road project was approved on a 2-1 vote, with Hersey opposed. The sign moratorium, T-SPLOST project language and authorization to seek bids for the golf course irrigation project were approved unanimously by the three commissioners present.
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners was scheduled to hold a called meeting on June 30, after press time. The Putnam County Planning & Zoning Commission is set to meet on July 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Putnam County Administration Building, 117 Putnam Drive, Room 203, in Eatonton. The proposed quarry along Dennis Station Road is expected to be on the agenda for both meetings.