---
date: 2025-11-24
title: 11-24-2025 Minutes
source: 2025-11/2025-11-24_11-24-2025 _Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

HOMETOWN CONNECTION LEGISLATIVE MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24. 2025 9:00 AM.
Administration
Mayan & my Council

Mission: Is to. rovide yisiona _ieadership and superior municipal services that enhance the
quality of in e for cmzensw Ile creahnge welcoming busmess atmosphere focused on
sustalnabilny and expanston of tourism and cultural events.

2" 3 2"

M MEMBERS PRESENT'
U 'TY
LOOAL DELEGA
a 14..
Page
Senator Davenport noted her history around redistricting, noting areas that she once
represented. and currently represents. and stated. you don't always get what you want.
Councilmember Alexander noted he is oaky with 10-year redistricting model; and noted
90% of uodeoo would be commercial with the proposed annexation; noted i-75 has
140,000 daily visitors and needs assistance with the exits with litter pickdp, overgrown
grass, and fighting; noting the Hwy. 138 exit ramp along l-75 has no lighting.

Representative Douglas noted that this is where the city should seek a CID (Community
Improvement District), and suggested reaching out to the GDOT Representative, Dana
Lemon for assistance.

Councilmember Alexander noted he has made the request approximately eighteen
months ago and was told the funding was not in the budget and looks at the issue with
the no lights as a haze-d, noting he damaged his personal vehicle due to the lack of
lighting along the exit ramp.

Mr. Waller suggested the delegation legislators would carry more weight with GDOT
speaking on behalf of the anicipalities.

Alexander noted the Georgia Power estimate for post lamps is
approximately $1.3 million dollars.

State Rmdirg of Recreation Center
Mayor Ford noted the city has sought federal funding for the recreational component.

Alexander noted the city has $10 million dollars currently in SPLCST.
and $14 dollars of 30nd funding for a facility that has been designed by TSW,
and is similar to the Welcome All Park facility, and estimated to cost around $3C mil.ion
dollars; noted the proposed locations was Tye Street and second proposed location
is off Burke Stree: in the mo multi-plex facility location; and noted that he serves as the
Council Representative on the Downtown Development Authority where a study was
conducted to show the housing stock was built in 1966, and that the community center
would attract younger families, and is why the city needs density in tire area.

Senator Davenoort asked if the second location is .arge enough and asked what the city
is doing in way cf housing.

Councilmember A.exa1der referenced the Habitat for Humanity project where two
homes will be built.

Ford noted the location on Tye Street could be used to develop affordabie
housing.

Mr. Anderson rated the city can require a percentage of the units to be affordable
|musing as a condition of zoning.

Mr. Wall noted that in order "or developers to receive Tax Abatements, certain criteria
must be met.

3|Page
Representative Lewis-Ward asked if the second location is where bank formerly housed
their processing center.

Councilmember Alexander noted the request to the State is to assist with closing the
funding gap needed to build the facility.

Mr. Wail noted there is $14 million dollars in the bank. and there is a $10 million
SPLOST allocation.

?rooosed Name Change for North Henry Blvd.
Representative Douglas asked about the home'ess population in the city, noting that
with all of the growth, asked what the city is doing with old buildings to address the
needs of the less fortunate.

Mr. Edmondson referenced a presentation oy Henry County during the last council
meeting where there is a Division who is addressing the housing and food insecurities
and making an immediate impact, and also has a mobile medical unit that will go out to
communities and provide care, noting tie-try County is taking the lead.

Councilmember Alexander noted there is nci a homeess sheiter in Henry County, and
the Division referenced will pay for hotel stays.

Ccuncilmember Barber asked Mr. Edmordson if the city has included funding for
partrerships with Henry County Agencies in the city's upcoming FY2026 Budget.

Mr. Edmondson

Counci!member Alexander referenced a agency that he runs and stated the
dol'ars are tight right now, especially during the government shutdown and federal cuts
to programs.

Mr. Wall stated there is $14 million dollars in the bank for the Center, noting SPLOST
funding ccuild take six years, and suggested the request to the State to be $8 million
dollars to close the funding gap.

There was of the Council to request $8 million dollars in funding from the
:ate to be auocated toward the recreation facility.

Councf'vember Baber stated there neecs to be an overall comprehensive plan for the
'evita zation of the downtown area, notirg tire city is currently its city-owned

pro;e...es to developers.

Alexander noted the city sold tite building that is owned by Crown Pizza
to a developer, and that there are public-private partnerships, including a $22.5 million
dollar investment coming to the downtown, and the city sold property to the Warrick
Dunn Foundation.

Senator Davenport stated she favors the idea of rebrartding Hwy. 138.

4|Page
Councilmember Alexander noted that it could be an Overlay similar to Lake Spivey
Pkwy.

Representative Douglas insisted that all stakeholders, residents, and business owners
be brought to the table with multiple meetings and offer suggestions to get their buy in
as it relates to changing the name that would impact hundreds and not just a few.

Representative Lewis-Ward asked for the area along Hwy. 138 that is being proposed.

Councilmember Alexander noted N. Henry to Rock Quarry Rd. and to the Wal-Mart
intersection.

Mayor Pro Tem Gantt joined the meeting at 10:05 am.

Councilmember Barber stated the revitalization priority needs to be the area that houses
the city's residents.

Representative Douglas asked the city to produce a plan, and noted the delegat'on is
here to support what the body approves.

Senator Davenport noted ner concern with the development along l-;wy.138, and there
being too much and the developer backing out; and asked that the city develop a
cohesive vision.

FLOST UPDATE
Mr. Edmondson noted there were discussions in August where the County prcpssed
using the 2020 census numbers as their model, and includes the 6,700 residents who
were annexed into the City of Stockbridge in 2023; noted all four municipalities were in

agreement to split FLOST proceeds based upon LOST (Local Option Sales Tax), noting
there must be an IGA in place to move forward.

Mr. Edmondson noted there was no EGA executed to meet the deadline for the
November ballot, and the County wants to resume talks, with the same split as
presented in August and look at the March or May ballot:_

Entity FLOST Share

Henry County 62.77%

Hampton 5.5%

Locust Grove 5.5%

McDoncugh 11.5%

Stockbridge 14.73%

SlPage
Mr. Edmondson noted that during the last meeting the other cities, there remained
a between the cities/county distribution percentages.

Mayor Pro 1"em Gantt noted there are rental neighborhood challenges and there needs
to be regulation put in place.

Representative Douglas noted the General Assembly believes in iocal control.

Representative Fioumoy noted he is working with a group on affordability and
sustainability.

Mr. Waller noted GMA opposes bills, and noted GMA is wo'king with
ACCG.

'chasing horres aid 50% of
isicr. is owned by corporate er, Ees, and ma: carnat

referenced F5305 t's be"; proocsed the; would only
afow ocrcora 1s 1': (25) hohes :cuniy.

Repres 2:: u;- as encouraged t .9 city to work c.:t the 51.58"? p with
the County, an; .mey wi.i .08 more than happy to sxpzn

Ms. Rittenh'zse hated EMA wants to see T? re F-23T Refererxtrts, noting there
we'e 36 Referencwns or t .e batot, amt 32 passes, w ". one of the being
ng County; and that there is time the Vay :a at to st the voters decide.

"merrier Barber asked it the city had a housing authority, and 'f not, requested
that be

Ills. holiday notes. the question came up several years ago and forner City

Manager, Mr. Te; St":k the apairnen: camp-Sex across from city
"al. Harren Street .e City of Str. nicge.

rweesentative Dcug'as '
:tect is good '10 nave kird of one? moweage.

Motior to at 1C:25 at. was race by Cour Berry;
secoroed Jy P': .err. Gartt. "we passed unaoirv'ous y

Respectfully sci: titted by:

Vanessa Holicay, City Ciew

SIPage
