County Approves Land Plat Exemption on Goshen Road After Moratorium

The Upson County Board of Commissioners meeting on July 22, 2025, focused on significant discussions regarding land development and renovations for the tax commissioner's office.

One of the primary topics was a request for an exemption from a moratorium on property development on Goshen Road. A family, represented by Mr. Long, sought approval to proceed with a land plat for a 50-acre property they purchased before the moratorium took effect. Mr. Long emphasized that their plans conformed to existing neighborhood standards and included necessary road frontage and parcel width. The board unanimously approved the motion to grant the exemption, allowing the family to move forward with their development plans.

The meeting also addressed the renovation of the tax commissioner's office. Commissioners discussed the need for a vault in the building, which raised questions about the specifications and costs associated with different types of vaults. Concerns were raised about the timeline for the renovations, with some commissioners expressing skepticism about the feasibility of completing the project within the proposed deadlines. The board ultimately approved a motion to proceed with Flint Contracting for the renovation, including a contingency for unforeseen issues.

In addition to these main topics, Commissioner Biggs proposed a change to employee benefits, suggesting that new hires should receive vacation time after 90 days instead of waiting a full year. This proposal will be discussed in a future work session.

The meeting concluded with a call for better planning in future bids for projects, emphasizing the need for clear specifications to ensure fair comparisons among contractors. The board's discussions highlighted ongoing efforts to balance development needs with community standards and operational efficiency.