By Alicia B. Hill
Times-News

The Troup County Board of Commissioners held the first public hearing Tuesday on the county’s comprehensive plan, which will guide the county’s actions in the community for years to come.

The plan covers 20 years, and the county re-evaluates the plan every five years.

While no citizens spoke during the meeting, Paul Jarrell, a planner from the Three Rivers Regional Commission, explained the process and purpose of the plan., Hogansville, West Point and LaGrange are all in the process of updating their comprehensive plans at this time.

“The first [reason] is to establish a community based, short term and long-term vision for the county’s future,” Jarrell said. “We use this document as a way to put a cleaner vision onto paper and have something that you can implement. We also assess the needs, conditions and opportunities in the county. The county has many needs and many initiatives, many factors going on, and we are trying to capture all of those things in the process of the comprehensive plan update.”

Jarrell said the plan will account for the county’s unified development ordinance, park plan and other plans that could impact future land use in the county. The updated plan will also consider broadband, which has become increasingly significant for both businesses and personal residences.

The next step in the process will be for the county to identify stakeholders and form a steering committee for the project. The idea of appointing someone from each district was briefly discussed, and Commissioner Morris Jones asked that the Troup County Board of Commissioners receive an update on accomplishments and needs, which may inform the selection process.

According to Jarrell, the plan should be finalized in August or September 2020, and the state requires that it be finalized by October 2020.

Other actions during the meeting on Tuesday included:

• The Troup County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a bid for River City Contracting to renovate the restrooms at the LaGrange Active Life for $55,288. The project will be paid for using SPLOST V funds.
• The board of commissioners approved the purchase of extrication equipment for the Troup County Fire Department. The purchase followed an extensive review of the equipment by a committee of fire department employees.
• The board of commissioners unanimously approved an estoppel certificate for Great Wolf Lodge, which was required due to a change in Great Wolf’s lenders. The Troup County School Board also discussed this at Monday’s work session and is expected to pass it Thursday.
• The board of commissioners unanimously approved a beer and wine license for West Point Trading at 3400 West Point Road. The location previously had a license, but a new license was required due to a change in ownership.
• The board of commissioners held an executive session on board appointments, real estate and a personnel matter.

The Troup County Board of Commissioners will meet again at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 100 Ridley Ave.