[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6199635,"mediaKeyId","3824693-7d154bc8fab6026c273897e88cd3b3b0","parentId",3824693,"title","Council discusses structural repairs, engineering needs for historic schoolhouse; special projects fund cited","audioSeconds",165,"startMs",2245000,"endMs",2410000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824693-7d154bc8fab6026c273897e88cd3b3b0&start=2245&end=2410","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824693-7d154bc8fab6026c273897e88cd3b3b0/thumbnail_2245000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6199635/Talking-Rock/Pickens-County/Georgia/Council-discusses-structural-repairs-engineering-needs-for-historic-schoolhouse-special-projects-fund-cited","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199635-7c41ec7274232edbc8c69d3bc0637854/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157006&Signature=mKYkrbxwTWQseyrvhkeRca09nbrI7m5BmQrJMw5zjVp-vGGM3KQTUfmwbIZ-eS1~Zldw62BU~4Sqr7xXLyLDVvwhROKGuU5I4gU~usoYs-YcW3PVQPWErVthjZ1xktOr74f21aJz1y3eWwbAw1Bv84N7R5urE9FA~00YQJveHGzCdX-OoBgHZK3ugUhWByVgUNcZXORHIsj-ayWcDh6aI4pyVMRpWN3ZEKN9~VbrrF3LH0MbSUZZHaooPaQSBUS12eAkYmoqSlfT0LIplzWqdWXJeaOvrCnrWZPBZ6p9q1a5RNMS6fnzouFbXfcJUOD0TNcuStcGV1XIsUK6DkTEvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-14T00:22:17Z","article","Council members and attendees discussed structural repairs needed for the town’s schoolhouse museum and the process for obtaining engineer reports, bids and funding.

Why it matters: The schoolhouse is promoted as a community event space and a venue for historical presentations, but council members said structural issues — notably foundation work and wall shoring — make the building unsafe until repairs are completed.

Council members said they previously solicited bids from general contractors and obtained preliminary estimates; one contractor’s low estimate was reported at about $97,000, a figure the council used to justify building the special projects fund. Mayor (role) said the town has approximately $87,303 in the schoolhouse fund and that the special projects fund currently holds about $98,000 and that those balances will guide next steps. The council emphasized that work must meet historical‑society guidelines for aesthetics because retired‑teachers and local historical groups will be involved in programming.

Councilors said the first priority is a structural engineering assessment and a detailed “description of work” that contractors can use to submit consistent bids. The council encouraged volunteer assistance from local residents who offered to review provided documents. Amanda (Town staff) said staff will provide copies of prior estimates and contractor assessments to interested council members and contractors.

Outcome and next steps: The council did not vote to authorize immediate construction. Instead, members agreed to obtain engineering assessments that specify required structural repairs and to use those engineered scopes to pursue grants and to solicit three formal bids. Councilors said once actual cost estimates and engineering documents are available, grant opportunities can be pursued and council will consider allocating special‑project funds.

Ending: The council encouraged business and community volunteers to help assemble documentation needed for grants and asked staff to place engineering procurement and bid authorization on a future agenda once price estimates are available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Talking Rock Council | June 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Talking Rock council reviewed structural problems at the town’s schoolhouse museum and directed staff to obtain engineering assessments and a detailed scope of work before soliciting construction bids or committing larger funds.","taxTitle","Talking Rock, Pickens County, Georgia","taxId",55055,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6199640,"Talking Rock leaders map phased sidewalk and crosswalk plan; bridge remains stalled by flood‑plain and engineering requirements",141,1937000,2078000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824693-7d154bc8fab6026c273897e88cd3b3b0&start=1937&end=2078","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824693-7d154bc8fab6026c273897e88cd3b3b0/thumbnail_1937000.jpg","/articles/6199640/Talking-Rock/Pickens-County/Georgia/Talking-Rock-leaders-map-phased-sidewalk-and-crosswalk-plan-bridge-remains-stalled-by-floodplain-and-engineering-requirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199640-abc8ec84fe7d4757a228a555cf8b2097/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157006&Signature=j~w5Q-y-YqSqVRyif1mN~yjFxTxp8rwnuy9UdPUYIa5ce-TFGLIjAtSOKactUf0vu272PlzlnpTadZo8kO2gfsC-5fDUEY7L2PwoI2XXM8KZ-ZxZetB8za6A7zZfC~ideu3x8jlGRXx51kvKRGxThYYBPbAY0umBkYV8Lv4J3iC-LdIGhBf7ZBToZnwJaVDacckoV3FG8ZSvNFpcIsmtvqcN21y9Y0~GdbGi02oiGMvegVlKNVe0tVJdJo-RFAiter4jBmj4MZIi7AEcActHgID39nJIbGCBEwdGsY0GN4HObwzwF2-FhkgiSF7N1YzpdNo1q65Aj3rf~MCVyeGqmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff and council members outlined a phased plan to add sidewalks, crosswalks and later lighting along the main corridor of Talking Rock and said the first step is engineering drawings and GDOT review.

Why it matters: Sidewalks and crosswalks are intended to improve pedestrian access between businesses and the park, which council members and business owners said would support events and downtown commerce. The pedestrian bridge idea has remained under discussion but faces statutory and technical constraints that prevent immediate work.

At the meeting, council members said Tony (council member and working-group lead) will prepare sidewalk drawings and submit them to GDOT for review and permitting. Once GDOT approves the plans, the town will solicit at least three bids and then construct ADA-compliant sidewalks in phases. The council said it has funds for concrete work but needs engineered plans and permits before proceeding with crosswalks and lighting.

Council members emphasized grant dependencies: many available grants require detailed engineered cost estimates and precise project scopes to support applications. Amanda (Town staff) said grant cycles are short and require quick turnarounds once an appropriate funding opportunity is identified.

On the pedestrian bridge, councilors and residents said the corridor is a state highway and the site sits in a flood plain. The mayor (role) and council noted that the state DOT has strict rules about pedestrian crossings near state highways and that the flood‑plain designation adds complexity. \"It has to be engineered before we can do anything,\" one council member said. The transcript records repeated references that the bridge will require engineering studies, precise cost estimates and compliance with flood‑plain rules before the town can apply for grants.

Residents asked about supplemental safety measures such as flashing speed indicators; one resident said her husband has contacts for mobile flashing units and the council encouraged further discussion after permits and plans are in hand.

Outcome and next steps: The council directed Tony to produce sidewalk drawings for GDOT, with an expectation that staff will collect three bids and proceed in phased construction. For the bridge, the council agreed the first step is to obtain engineering estimates; council members said they would place engineering costs and procurement on a future agenda once price estimates are available.

Ending: Council members urged businesses and residents to join the working group (meets at 5:30 p.m.) to help with planning, volunteer recruitment and grant preparation. Officials said progress will depend on completed engineering work and successful grant applications.","Councilors and residents discussed a phased plan to add sidewalks and crosswalks in Talking Rock, with staff preparing engineer drawings for GDOT review. A proposed pedestrian bridge is still constrained by flood‑plain and state‑highway requirements that must be resolved before grant funding can be pursued.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6199644,"Talking Rock council approves $3,000 startup payment for downtown billboard amid business pushback",2848,706000,3554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824693-7d154bc8fab6026c273897e88cd3b3b0&start=706&end=3554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824693-7d154bc8fab6026c273897e88cd3b3b0/thumbnail_706000.jpg","/articles/6199644/Talking-Rock/Pickens-County/Georgia/Talking-Rock-council-approves-3000-startup-payment-for-downtown-billboard-amid-business-pushback","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199644-a744cd86740ace4f0a366425aaff8d25/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157006&Signature=eoOR6qiSybXqq9Y~FJ0eo1WQTQmVRHj5Avb~cuWnEKVrSDiIm1S9LcVAev2RaISFqfD8OLIJhopcqh~k-jQDE2mpCCmtzuxH0LT9ByoXSpSh2PYbkr1tMirn6s9Xk9K--aG5rlKoGyej~3qquj2MbLfp7A9CdS-V7gNe8EzgQ29u2D46sVEukvmGiRbJucJbhcK8z2NnZWpTHAoNng1B-wgItTDdhtpDM4Zlh2fK9~r9OOpE4W-6s9b~3DL8r5rgb8b2ddr1NyVcO2OnCYGfZXVaSe4gouF0RUagSP2vySfSoYkLq7HzTf5Ai7Cegte7GeIuhl-6i-ark7h8iEaYig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Talking Rock Town Council approved a $3,000 allocation from its special projects fund to cover the initial setup cost for a proposed downtown billboard after a motion and voice vote during the meeting.

The cost will cover the town’s portion of the billboard’s startup fees, with participating business owners expected to sign an addendum and pay a monthly share for ongoing costs. Mayor (role) said the town would pay the $3,000 setup fee and have legal counsel draft an addendum spelling out how participating businesses will contribute and how funds will be handled.

Why it matters: Business owners said a shared billboard could help direct visitors downtown, but several said they felt the town has not consistently supported businesses or completed prior projects. The discussion highlights tension between limited municipal budgets and business expectations for promotion and infrastructure support.

The council’s presentation said the town’s part of the startup cost would be drawn from the special projects account. Amanda (Town staff) circulated the contract and packet materials to council members for review and said participating businesses must sign an agreement; Seth (legal counsel) will review the agreement and prepare an addendum identifying business contributors and payment mechanics. The initial contract term discussed was 12 months.

Several business owners spoke during public comment. One business owner asked why the town would not also share the recurring monthly fee; she said, “I feel like the town of Talking Rock should have to pay for the sign as a whole,” and pressed for transparency on the town’s advertising budget. Another business owner said the $100-a-month estimate (approximate) for the billboard subscription was less important than the principle of shared ongoing contributions. The council responded that the town would pay only the startup fee and that businesses could elect whether to participate.

Council members emphasized the need for a signed agreement before the town transfers funds and said the attorney would prepare an addendum identifying business participants and specifying how the town will receive any reimbursements. Mayor (role) said, “We’re gonna send this document. … Mary, if you wanna get with Amanda and see what it takes to move forward … our legal counsel will review it, and then we’ll have to draft up that amendment.”

Outcome and next steps: A motion to allocate $3,000 from special projects for the billboard passed on a voice vote; the minutes record the vote as approved. The council directed staff to have the contract reviewed by legal counsel and to prepare the addendum listing business signatories and payment flow. Council members said they will re-address the arrangement after the first year.

Context and business concerns: During the public comment period, multiple business owners criticized the town for slow progress on long-discussed projects (sidewalks, a town sign and a pedestrian bridge) and said they had invested time and money but had not seen commensurate municipal follow-through. Business owners urged clearer budgeting and suggested more regular promotional activity and event support. Council members said they are pursuing grants, ADA-compliant sidewalk plans and DOT permits and noted constraints including engineering requirements and flood‑plain rules for the bridge.

Other town officials encouraged business owners to join the council’s working groups (which meet at 5:30 p.m.) and to provide estimates or lead efforts to secure bids and grant applications. Amanda (Town staff) said she would provide QuickBooks access and the contract packet to interested parties.

The council set the matter in motion with immediate funding for startup and instructions to return with a legally reviewed contract and addendum that list participating businesses and payment terms. The council also noted it will reassess after the initial year.

Ending: The council scheduled follow-up work with legal counsel and asked the business cohort to sign the addendum to formalize monthly contributions and project oversight. The council said the arrangement can be readdressed after the first 12‑month term if needed.","The Talking Rock Town Council voted to allocate $3,000 from its special projects fund to pay the startup cost for a billboard promoted by local business owners. Several business owners urged the town to share ongoing monthly costs and raised broader concerns about transparency, event support and follow-through on town projects.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6199630,"Council explains new state ‘estimated rollback rate’ and says Talking Rock’s rate will remain under 2 mills",125,470000,595000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824693-7d154bc8fab6026c273897e88cd3b3b0&start=470&end=595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824693-7d154bc8fab6026c273897e88cd3b3b0/thumbnail_470000.jpg","/articles/6199630/Talking-Rock/Pickens-County/Georgia/Council-explains-new-state-estimated-rollback-rate-and-says-Talking-Rocks-rate-will-remain-under-2-mills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199630-d38346fdb9045a73ced60095148e850c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157006&Signature=chBGCVR58SNioug3WTkY65LWalzjisIB5DylJqfAGGr-Eb~JT0r07iZExv9qAIgTDE3URQIUjKMZjPRMHcmaGc9GSB~n9sAin8ehsE7fduUKm--Jf3qiXqZeCGx-jT6gfCwKzBRM2CM9Q5auypaAmP0X3BoWJaNSKI9pNFtV2IMhIPXdNFClyzV0KGDMCSG5DUFXVKSYaqCaoYb0HoHRGpA8uFC5fA5-ORhDvFv7Q2VB2eA5Zdr1Sv9ELSfKaQdTxfF5i~wF0xwe1-7mC~TT04jgc5YXWiG702K6QbRl21Gjy-bjZI4BLHEOmbkjFP2pk5su256jh0-QJ2MxTekcBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town officials explained the state’s new “estimated rollback rate” requirement and told residents that Talking Rock’s estimated rollback rate for the coming year is 1.981 mills, meaning the town does not expect a millage increase under the new format.

Why it matters: Under recent state legislation, counties and municipalities must certify an estimated rollback rate by a statutory deadline so property owners’ annual notices of assessment (NOA) can include the rate. The estimate is intended to provide more accurate previews of millage changes and, if jurisdictions do not certify a rate, a fallback provision applies.

At the meeting, a council member read a prepared statement explaining that House Bill 581 (2025) created the estimated rollback rate to give local governments more flexibility and that House Bill 92 added a deadline and fallback if a jurisdiction fails to certify. The council’s reading clarified that the estimated rollback rate is the current year’s estimated millage rate for general maintenance and operations minus the millage equivalent of net added value from reassessments. The council said the NOA, if the estimated rollback rate is certified by the deadline, will show the current year's value, exemptions and net taxable value but will not include an estimated tax dollar amount.

Town officials said Talking Rock’s estimated rollback rate is currently 1.981 mills and recommended the council remain at that rate for the next tax year. The council opened the matter for questions and said the item was largely a formality under the new law.

Ending: Councilors recommended certifying the estimated rollback rate as 1.981 for the coming year and said staff will proceed with required notifications.","Officials summarized a new state requirement — enacted in 2025 by House Bill 581 and revised by House Bill 92 — that introduces an \"estimated rollback rate\" for property tax notices. The council said Talking Rock’s estimated rollback rate is 1.981 and that it will not change the town’s millage this year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council discusses structural repairs, engineering needs for historic schoolhouse; special projects fund cited

Talking Rock leaders map phased sidewalk and crosswalk plan; bridge remains stalled by flood‑plain and engineering requirements

Talking Rock council approves $3,000 startup payment for downtown billboard amid business pushback

Council explains new state ‘estimated rollback rate’ and says Talking Rock’s rate will remain under 2 mills