TOWNS COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION
Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 1 p.m.
Joan’s (Board Member Crothers) Villa, Hiawassee
1. President’s Remarks\Report – John: Welcomed all.
a. Present: John Clemens, Andy Williams, Leslie Howard, Joan Crothers, Anna Denton, David Best, Jim Olson, Amy Barrett. Absent: Michael Courey.
b. Membership Meeting: It was decided to have the meeting in January at the Civic Center. Topic: “Safety” with the Sheriff (at the time), Fire Chief Copeland, 911/Mapping Dir. (New Flood Plain Map) Marty Roberts, and Commissioner Bradshaw.Date for Civic Center-TBD.
d. Discuss By-Laws changes: A committee of 4 was appointed to do this ASAP to get TCCA’s 501(c)3. On the committee: Andy, Amy, and Michael.
2. Board Reports:
a. Secretary’s Report (Motion to Approve) – Joan: Oct. 8th Minutes were emailed to BOD, Motion to approve duly made; seconded & passed.
b. Treasurer’s Report-Leslie: Checking account as of this date is $545. Income: Dues; Expenses: None. Motion to approve duly made; seconded & passed. Leslie will pay our $100 dues for the Chamber.
c. Membership Report (Information Only) – Anna: Currently have 49 memberships/30 Grace Period Memberships; 3 HOA/Business/1 Grace Period HOA. Anna will not continue in this position past Dec. 31st. Jim Olson will be interim Membership Chair until elections.
d. Website Update/Maintenance (Information Only) – David: Homepage updated w/Oct. Board Minutes; site health good.
3. Committee Reports (significant issues)
a. Chamber of Commerce – John: Holiday Bazaar 11/1-2, 2nd best year for attendance since show started in 2022–1229. Dec. Annual Mtg.–invites going out this week. Jan. event: Burgers, Brews & Basketball.
b. City of Young Harris -Anna: 11/4-2026 budget will have a hearing on 11/24, 6:30 p.m. followed by millage at 6:45. Proposed Millage rate & 5-year history will be run in paper 7 days prior to adoption; 2nd reading will be on 11/24. 1st reading of ordinance to reconstitute a City Court. 2nd reading of ordinance to grant rezoning & special use permit for old EMC building. Owner met with engineers re: flooding, DOT is dropping down the 24” main into a l2”drain at the bottom of the hill. Tree lighting on Friday, 12/5 Mayors Park.
c. City of Hiawassee-Joan: 10/7-SPLOST funds of $167,824 toward the PBC (Paris Bus. Cntr.), plus the $25K/month in SPLOST to PBC; in Dec. the ARC (Appalachian Regional Commission) should have a grant of $60K going to this loan; this should pay off the PBC by early 2027. Council approved a $17,240 contract w/120/Water (a company) for Federally mandated lead service line testing. 10/25. City of Hiawassee – Jim: Considerable discussion regarding public and commercial signage codes and associated legal concerns. First “master meter” installed and operational to continue investigation of water loss.
d. City of Hiawassee DDA – Jim: Resignations of Directors Steven Harper and Denise McKay approved. Appointments of Brooke Whitt and Mike Plummer approved. $10,000 allocation to Paris Business Center approved. $9,000 allocation to fund a Hiawassee Half Marathon & fundraiser for Hikeawassee approved. Previous Hikeawassee reportedly generated $150K impact. An event sponsor has committed $32,500 for a new van. Volunteers needed for “Light Up Hiawassee” on November 14, 15, and 21.
e. Commissioner’s Meeting-Joan: 10/21Proclamation signed declaring 11/2/25 as Retired Teachers Day in the County along with the rest of GA. Marty Roberts, 911 Dispatch Dir. & Mapping Coordinator announced a public meeting on 11/18 @4 p.m. in the Civic Center to discuss updated area maps on flood plains for property owners.
f. Water & Sewer Authority – Jim: Maintenance report sent to Florida. GPS system upgrade continues in process. Unknown/unidentified meters continue to be found.
g. Conference and Visitors Bureau- Jim: No CVB meeting in September & Oct.
h. Board of Education-Michael: No report.
i. BRMEMC – Michael: No report.
j. County Health Department -Jim: No significant or immediate county health concerns. Routine reports; Environmental, Nursing, Financial, and WIC presented.
k. Water & Sewer Authority – Jim: 10/25 – New service technician reports to work on 27 October. On newer trucks, AFM (Automatic Fuel Management) system is causing transmission issues because of area topography. Consideration is being given to AFM-delete as a correction. Some customers have recently complained about smell and taste issues. The known cause is Towns County Fire Department pressure testing. Reportedly, system water remains safe for humans. The smell and taste issue will dissipate in short order.
4. Adjournment: Duly adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
Joan Crothers, Secretary
Next Meeting: Wed., December 10, 1 p.m., Xmas Party at Joan’s Villa.