Putnam County Board of Commissioners

Georgia Power plans to install two electric vehicle charging stations in a small parking lot beside Eatonton’s City Center Stage.

Georgia Power plans to install two electric vehicle charging stations in a small parking lot beside Eatonton’s City Center Stage.

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City approves EV charging stations, planter patrol

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Following a special joint session involving the city council and county commission to discuss resuming SPLOST 10 negotiations, the Eatonton City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. Monday in the county administration building, which is located alongside Hwy.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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Property line dispute dominates commission meeting

Ian Tocher
Thursday, March 13, 2025
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners held its first of two regularly scheduled monthly meetings on March 7. More than 50 minutes were again devoted to a neighborhood dispute over a shared property line.
L-R: Putnam County Commissioners Jeff Wooten (Dist. 4), Dr. Steve Hersey (Dist. 3), Richard Garrett (Dist. 2), and Commission Chairman Bill Sharp listened to presentations about Georgia House Bill 581 while District 1 Commissioner Tom McElhenney attended the meeting by phone. IAN TOCHER/Staff

L-R: Putnam County Commissioners Jeff Wooten (Dist. 4), Dr. Steve Hersey (Dist. 3), Richard Garrett (Dist. 2), and Commission Chairman Bill Sharp listened to presentations about Georgia House Bill 581 while District 1 Commissioner Tom McElhenney attended the meeting by phone. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Chairman breaks tie to confirm HB 581 opt-in

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
It came down to one word. After more than an hour of debate in a meeting last Friday, one word ultimately determined the Putnam County Commission's decision to opt into State House Bill 581 as it stands.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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City council considers HB 581 concerns

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Though postponed by inclement weather early last week, Eatonton City Council held a scheduled meeting late Thursday afternoon.
Eatonton Messenger/File Graphic

Eatonton Messenger/File Graphic

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Putnam BOC ponders pursuit of recreation grant funds

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners held its first meeting of the new year on Jan. 3. Richard Garrett, the newly elected District 2 representative, made his debut, and District 4 Commissioner Jeff Wooten was absent.
L-R: Newly elected District 1 Commissioner Tom McElhenney, District 2 Commissioner Daniel Brown, Commissioner Jeff Wooten of District 4, retiring Putnam County Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Alford, County Chairman Bill Sharp, and District 3 Commissioner Dr. Steve Hersey stepped forward for Alford’s retirement recognition. IAN TOCHER/Staff

L-R: Newly elected District 1 Commissioner Tom McElhenney, District 2 Commissioner Daniel Brown, Commissioner Jeff Wooten of District 4, retiring Putnam County Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Alford, County Chairman Bill Sharp, and District 3 Commissioner Dr. Steve Hersey stepped forward for Alford’s retirement recognition. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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County commission concludes 2024 with marathon meeting

Ian Tocher
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Last Tuesday, the final Putnam County Commission meeting of the year, and the last for outgoing District 2 Commissioner Daniel Brown, was extended to nearly two and a half hours.
Commissioner-elect Richard Garrett

Commissioner-elect Richard Garrett

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Garrett readies for county commission post

Ian Tocher
Thursday, November 14, 2024
By a margin of just 18 votes, Richard Garrett defeated incumbent Putnam County District 2 Commissioner Daniel Brown. His election last Tuesday also marked the lone county commission seat in Georgia to swap from Republican to Democratic representation this time around.
Putnam County intends to purchase a 2021 LeeBoy 8530 paving machine to complete local road projects and other county-related paving jobs. LEEBOY.COM

Putnam County intends to purchase a 2021 LeeBoy 8530 paving machine to complete local road projects and other county-related paving jobs. LEEBOY.COM

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Budget, paving dominates Putnam board meeting

Ian Tocher
Thursday, November 7, 2024
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners held its regularly scheduled meeting last Friday morning, with reconciliation of the 2024 budget taking center stage. Most significantly, the budget was balanced without drawing on the fund balance.
Putnam County District 2 Commissioner Daniel Brown (left) and challenger Richard Garrett spoke before interested voters last Thursday at the Butler-Baker school in Eatonton. A follow-up faceoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. this Thursday at The Plaza Arts Center. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County District 2 Commissioner Daniel Brown (left) and challenger Richard Garrett spoke before interested voters last Thursday at the Butler-Baker school in Eatonton. A follow-up faceoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. this Thursday at The Plaza Arts Center. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam BOC candidates face voters in lively Q&A

Ian Tocher
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Incumbent Republican Putnam County District 2 Commissioner Daniel Brown and Democratic challenger Richard Garrett faced approximately two dozen engaged voters last Thursday from the stage at the decommissioned Butler-Baker school in Eatonton.
Land developer George Kelecheck (foreground) and Greg Ramsey, design chief of Asheville, N.C.based Village Habitat Design, gave an extensive presentation about the benefits of long-term development planning to the Putnam BOC. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Land developer George Kelecheck (foreground) and Greg Ramsey, design chief of Asheville, N.C.based Village Habitat Design, gave an extensive presentation about the benefits of long-term development planning to the Putnam BOC. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Land use dominates BOC meeting on several levels

Ian Tocher
Thursday, October 24, 2024
The regularly scheduled Oct. 15 Putnam County Board of Commissioners meeting opened with more than 45 minutes of often spirited debate over redefining 5.44 acres at 133 Whitney Dr.
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