Eatonton City Council held its first of two routinely scheduled monthly meetings on Sept. 2, at the county commission building north of downtown alongside Hwy. 441.
The first order of business led to unanimous approval for a special event pouring license for the annual “Taste of Eatonton” event scheduled and organized by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce for Oct. 6 on the front lawn of The Plaza Arts Center on North Madison Avenue.
The council then voted to renew the city’s participation in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, administered by the Georgia Department of Human Services. City Administrator Gary Sanders explained that the program provides one-time heating payments to qualifying residents during the winter.
Community Action Agency, Inc. will continue to screen applicants and distribute funds.
A series of funding agreements with local organizations followed. The council authorized a memorandum of understanding with the Downtown Development Authority, approved a contract with The Plaza Arts Center for cultural programming, and reaffirmed a tourism promotion partnership with the Chamber of Commerce. That agreement dedicates 62.5 percent of the city’s hotel-motel tax revenues to Chamber-led efforts to attract visitors.
Two new ordinances received their first readings. The first would restrict the establishment of new tobacco and vape shops within city limits. Mayor John Reid noted the proposal comes in response to resident concerns, while Ward 4 Councilmember Teresa Doster emphasized that current businesses would not be affected.
The second ordinance concerned mobile food vendors and outlined licensing requirements, prohibitions, penalties, and fees. Sanders explained the measure was written broadly to cover traditional food trucks as well as outlaw vendors selling goods from trunks of cars or roadside tables. Several council members stressed the need to protect established food service businesses while still allowing regulated mobile food sales.
Planning and Zoning Chair Doster later encouraged members to carefully review the mobile food vendor ordinance and provide feedback before its second reading.
The council also unanimously approved a revised intergovernmental agreement with Putnam County regarding Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) proceeds. Sanders said the county had already signed the updated agreement, which left overall allocations unchanged but added a line item for roads and bridges and rounded off project estimates.
Ward 1 Councilmember Mylle Mangum, reporting for Public Utilities, raised concerns about the Eatonton Post Office, which had been closed for several days prior to last Monday’s meeting, apparently due to computer issues. She expressed concern over a lack of communication that she called “troubling,” given the reliance that many residents still have on postal services for mailing bills, money orders, and legal documents.
Sanders reported to the council that he had spoken with U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff’s office, which expressed interest in investigating the situation, he said. City Clerk Maria Jimenez added that the closure had delayed the mailing of utility bills, since the city must submit barcoded forms directly at the post office counter.
Ward 3 Councilmember Janie Reid, reporting on Community Development, reminded everyone of the final Downtown GetDown concert of the year this Saturday night at City Center Stage featuring the Atlanta Jazz Players.
She also noted the city had secured a $1 million Community Development Block Grant for street and drainage improvements on Holiday Drive, Pinecrest Drive, Sunnyland Drive, and Rock Lane, with construction expected to begin in 2026. Janie Reid also highlighted the recognition of Eatonton native DJ Waller as a “Rising Star” lobbyist in JAMES Magazine for the second consecutive year.
Sanders said the North Maple Avenue stormwater project is awaiting railroad permitting and added that planning is underway for a flood mitigation study with engineering firm KCI. He also said the regional commission council will meet on Sept. 11 in Macon.
The council then adjourned into a closed session to discuss “personnel issues.” After 20-30 minutes the mayor and councilmembers returned to announce all current contracted city employees will be returning for 2026, including Sanders, Jimenez, City Attorney Chris Huskins, Municipal Court Judge Michael Gailey, Municipal Court Solicitor Carl Cansino, Municipal Court Public Defender E.J. Boswell, Public Works Superintendent Joe Hawkins, Natural Gas Superintendent Charlie Bales, Police Chief Howell Cardwell, and Fire Chief Jamey Williamson.
The next scheduled City of Eatonton Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Sept. 15, at the Putnam County Commission building, Room 203, 117 Putnam Dr., Eatonton.