City Council to Consider $50M Water Bond Tonight; Data Center Sessions Announced By Brent
The Calhoun City Council meets today, November 9, with a packed agenda headlined by a major $50 million utility infrastructure package. The action begins with a noon work session at the 700 West Line Street conference room, followed by the regular 7:00 PM meeting in the Depot Community Room at 109 South King Street.
Mayor Palmer will open the evening meeting by leading the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, and is expected to officially announce that city offices will be closed on Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27, in observance of Thanksgiving.
Departmental updates will follow from the council members. Councilmember Palazzolo will report on Police, Municipal Court, Fire, Safety, and the Library. Councilmember Edwards will provide updates on Electric, Telecommunications, Building Inspections, and the Zoning Advisory Board. Councilmember Potts will cover Water and Sewer Operations and Construction, the Revolving Loan program, and the Northwest Regional Commission. Rounding out the reports, Councilmember Moyer will handle Public Works, Recreation, the Downtown Development Authority, the Mainstreet Program, and Historic Preservation.
The cornerstone of the New Business agenda is a sweeping infrastructure package from the Water and Wastewater Department. The council will be asked to adopt a master bond resolution, along with a first supplemental bond resolution, to issue up to $50 million in Water and Sewer Revenue Bonds. Structured as a draw-down bond, the funds are dedicated to Phase I water system construction, initial engineering to address strict drinking water regulations, system-wide upgrades, and necessary steps to reduce PFAS concentrations. In routine utility matters, the department is also requesting to surplus an old mower and bush hog gear.
On the financial front, the council will review the formal submission of the FY26 fourth-quarter and FY27 budget amendments. The Community Development department is asking to amend the General Government Fee Schedule to officially add the previously approved $400 fee for Conditional Use Permits. Additionally, the Calhoun Police Department is requesting to utilize just over $7,500 from State Forfeiture Funds to purchase departmental ammunition.
Looking ahead to the holiday season, the Downtown Development Authority is seeking special event permits and street closures for the downtown holiday kickoff and Merry Market. The DDA is requesting an open container district on Saturday, November 21, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. They are also asking to close the City Park parking lot from Friday, November 20 at 5:00 PM through Sunday, November 22 at 10:00 PM, along with a short section of Trammel Street and one lane of Piedmont Street for a loading zone.
The business meeting will conclude with standard work reports from City Administrator Paul Worley and Utilities Administrator Kyle Ellis, prior to public comments.
Data Center Information Sessions Scheduled For residents tracking local commercial development, two interactive information sessions have been scheduled regarding future digital infrastructure and data centers. The first session will take place on Tuesday, November 17, at 7:00 PM, featuring a subject-matter expert panel to answer community questions regarding data center economics, water usage, noise levels, and employment. A second session on December 9 at 7:00 PM will build on those discussions by exploring site visioning and good neighbor agreements for upcoming projects.
Hero Agriculture Highlighted on WJTH This morning on the WJTH morning show, we welcomed Mike Reynolds from Hero Agriculture (Hero Ag) to the airwaves. Reynolds, who founded the Calhoun-based nonprofit, discussed their incredible ongoing mission to use farming and agriculture to help local veterans find hope, heal from trauma, and build purposeful lives in the community.
VAC Seeks Sponsors for Operation Happy Christmas The Voluntary Action Center (VAC) still has several children waiting to be sponsored this holiday season. The VAC is urgently seeking individuals, families, local businesses, and church groups to step up for their “Operation Happy Christmas” program. Sponsors will receive their assigned child’s age, clothing sizes, and a wishlist to help guide their shopping. To help make Christmas morning a little brighter for a child right here in Gordon County, call the VAC at 706-629-7283.
Weekend Arrest Report The weekend police blotter from the Gordon County Jail includes the following arrests:
Jared Michael Brown, 24, of Calhoun, was arrested by the Calhoun Police Department for prebook charges of simple assault and simple battery under family violence.
Derik Lee Ray, 32, of Resaca, was arrested by the Sheriff’s Office for prebook charges of simple battery family violence and exploiting or depriving a disabled person.
Lamonta Deshan Swanson, 26, of Calhoun, was arrested by Calhoun Police for prebook possession of a Schedule I controlled substance.
Vanessa Lynn Pack, 42, of Resaca, was arrested by the Sheriff’s Office for theft by taking.
Jason Lee Miller, 45, of Calhoun, was arrested by the Sheriff’s Office for terroristic threats and acts, and harassing communications.
Josiah Francis Vincent, 22, of Calhoun, was arrested by State Patrol for reckless driving and speeding 69 in a 35 mile-per-hour zone.
Community Health Highlight Finding a doctor who genuinely understands your overall health needs isn’t always easy. We all want someone who looks past the clipboard and takes the time to actually get to know us. During a recent in-studio conversation, Dr. Ted Bowers from Hamilton Health – Calhoun emphasized that his absolute dedication is building a true foundation of trust and personal care with every single patient who walks through his doors. As a board-certified family physician treating folks of all ages right here on Curtis Parkway, Dr. Bowers believes you shouldn’t wait until you’re feeling under the weather to establish that relationship. Give his office a call at 762-268-4904 or head over to VitruvianHealth.com/Calhoun to get set up. Hamilton Health – Calhoun is part of Vitruvian Health.