Putnam County Board of Commissioners

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

BOC places 3-month moratorium on data centers

Ian Tocher
Thursday, August 27, 2026
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners approved an amended three-month moratorium on new data centers, battery energy storage facilities and solar farms, effective Aug. 18.The decision followed more than 90 minutes of debate, including discussions over whether the county needed as much as a year...
District 2 Commissioner Richard Garrett makes a point during the Aug. 7 meeting, with District 3’s Steve Hersey (left) and Tom McElhenney of District 1 listening. District 4 Commissioner Jeff Wooten was absent. IAN TOCHER/Staff

District 2 Commissioner Richard Garrett makes a point during the Aug. 7 meeting, with District 3’s Steve Hersey (left) and Tom McElhenney of District 1 listening. District 4 Commissioner Jeff Wooten was absent. IAN TOCHER/Staff

County considers development, taxes as budget takes shape

Ian Tocher
Thursday, August 20, 2026
The Putnam County Commission spent much of a lengthy Aug. 7 meeting discussing the county’s proposed budget and tax burden while also taking steps toward tighter development regulations, including a temporary moratorium on data centers, battery storage facilities and large-scale solar farms.The...
District 2 Commissioner Steve Hersey raised several concerns about county spending throughout last Tuesday’s meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff

District 2 Commissioner Steve Hersey raised several concerns about county spending throughout last Tuesday’s meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff

BOC considers SPLOST, fire code revisions, board appointments

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Public opposition to the proposed rock quarry again dominated public comments that opened the Putnam County Board of Commissioners meeting July 21.Still, commissioners spent most of the evening addressing changes to SPLOST funding agreements, adopting updated fire protection standards, authorizing...
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

County taking politics out of paving plans

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
During its regularly scheduled meeting on July 21, the Putnam County Board of Commissioners took a step toward taking politics out of road paving decisions.The four-man board unanimously approved an artificial intelligence- based pavement assessment service that claims to provide an objective...
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

County considers solid waste fees due to rising costs

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Putnam County residents could soon see a separate solid waste fee appear on their property tax bills as county leaders look for new ways to fund rising garbage collection and convenience center costs while lessening pressure on property taxes.During its June 26 meeting, the Putnam County Board of...
Eatonton Mayor John Reid (left) and Putnam County Commission Chairman Bill Sharp presided together last month over a meeting to determine a T-SPLOST funds distribution plan. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Eatonton Mayor John Reid (left) and Putnam County Commission Chairman Bill Sharp presided together last month over a meeting to determine a T-SPLOST funds distribution plan. IAN TOCHER/Staff

County, city officials agree on T-SPLOST plan

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Putnam County and City of Eatonton officials met on June 30 at the county commission building to discuss plans to continue the one-percent Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST), which is designated for future transportation and capital improvement projects.The meeting...
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

County approves road work, golf course bids

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
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...
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

County commission receives data center presentation

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
As data center development continues spreading outward from metro Atlanta, Putnam County may eventually find itself on the radar of companies searching for sites capable of supporting the next generation of digital infrastructure.
Approximately 500 lighted drones are expected to create various patriotic scenes July 3, in the night sky over Eatonton. From Luna Lite on Instagram

Approximately 500 lighted drones are expected to create various patriotic scenes July 3, in the night sky over Eatonton. From Luna Lite on Instagram

Commissioners award contract for Independence Day drone show

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Last month, the Putnam County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved hosting a drone show celebrating the United States’ 250th anniversary.District 2 Commissioner Richard Garrett, who researched options for the event, recommended awarding a $39,500 contract to LunaLite Drone Show Technologies,...
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