TOWNS COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING
Wednesday June 11, 2025,
1 pm Towns County Courthouse, 2nd Floor Conference Room
1. President’s Remarks\Report – John
a. Present: John Clemens, Andy Williams, Joan Crothers, Anna Denton, David Best.
Guest: Callie Moore.
b. TVA Project: Callie Moore, SE Dir. MountainTrue, gave us her opinions on the lake drawdown to repair the dam spillway. She thought it would not happen soon. A copy is attached with these minutes.
d. New Board member: Amy said she could legally be on our Board while serving on the Hiawassee City Council. Anna made a motion to accept her as a director on our Board; Andy seconded and it was approved with a unanimous vote. Welcome!
2. Reports:
a. Secretary’s Report (Motion to Approve) – Joan: May 14th Minutes were emailed to BOD, Motion to approve duly made; seconded & passed.
b. Treasurer’s Report (Motion to Approve) – Leslie: May 30 Balance: $ 3,933.64. . Motion to approve duly made; seconded and passed.
c. Membership Report (Information Only) – Anna: No change since the April Report: 74 Families, 120 Individuals, 4 businesses; $980 prepaid dues. As of 7/1/25, 54.1% of household memberships will expire. In the past a large number of these would renew at the June meeting.
d. Website Update/Maintenance (Information Only) – David: June news is up-to-date, Site Health Status: remains rated as “Good” by WordPress;
3. Committee Reports (significant issues)
a. Chamber of Commerce – John: Made in GA will be 6/28-29; full house and have a wait list for vendors. DDA Summer FUNdraiser-Jimmy Buffett tribute show @ GMF Anderson Music Hall on 7/19; August 21, Business After Hour is at Goin’ Postal.
b. City of Young Harris -Anna: 6/3: Audit completed, nothing unusual. Mike Patton requested a variance to allow a 30K gallon propane storage tank to be at MJ Propane on Brasstown Crk. Rd. Valley Trail Apts: Drive permitted and sewer easement plans approved pending payment of fees. 3 different size water lines at Timberline Booster Pump now need to be worked on.
c.City of Hiawassee – Joan: 6/3: Second reading & adoption of Budget approved; increase Mayor’s authorized spending limit from $5K to $10K. Approved emergency repairs to Water Treatment Plant tank monitorings system (SCADA) for $85K. Approved purchase of police pursuit vehicle w/SPLOST money (up to $45K). Paul Smith returned to his Hiawassee Chief of Police job. Economic Dev. Dir. Denise McKay will retire June 8th; Lily Ponlitz has been hired. 6/5 Called Mtg. to impose a temporary sign moratorium lasting to 8/6 due to a challenge of the Sign Ordinance by Atlantic Billboards of Marietta.
d.Commissioner’s Meeting-Joan: Callie Moore gave an update on the status of Parrot Feather; more money is left in MountainTrue account for surveys to check it as it possibly will come back and that money is designated for Parrot Feather only. Bradshaw will go to TN on 6/9-11 to meet with TVA re: Lake drawdown. Bradshaw signed a number of contracts: Detainee Work Crew-$54,249; AirMethod Airflight Insurance for T.C. residents (110 air lifts last year); Transit contract w/GDOT (50/50–$$85,285).
e. Conference and Visitors Bureau- Jim: CVB cancelled the meeting for May.
f. Water & Sewer Authority – Jim: Minutes and Financials were approved. Older utility truck deemed beyond reasonable cost to repair and will be auctioned off. The bureau has no need to replace it at this time. The bureau assures all of its customers that contingency plans are in place to keep their services safe and dependable regardless of any activity by the TVA on the Lake Chatuge.
g. Board of Education – Michael: FY 2025-26 Budget was approved; salary & benefit increases will make instructional services increase by $1 million. Overall budget decreased by $30 to $33 mil. due to slight decrease in enrollment and less capital expenditure since the Agriscience Center is completed. Summer will see the big gym finally air conditioned.
h. BRMEMC – Michael: No report.
i. County Planning Commission – David: One subdivision needs road work done, but the developer has left the area and they have no HOA.
j. County Health Department – Leslie: 5/28 Diane Rogers will be the new Secretary of BOD. FY26 Budget was approved.
4.. New Business Submitted from Board Members and/or Guest: Andy will check with the new DDA Night Market Organizer to visit at our next meeting.
5. Adjournment: Duly adjourned at 3:35 p.m.
Joan Crothers, Secretary
Next Meeting: TBD.