On the agenda: Covington meeting — data center (Feb 17)

NEWTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MEETING AGENDA
HISTORIC COURTHOUSE – 1124 CLARK STREET
COVINGTON, GEORGIA 30014
February 17, 2026
7:00 PM

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CALL TO ORDER
INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
PUBLIC COMMENTS
This time is to allow the public to comment, voice concerns or opinions regarding agenda topics
only. Each speaker is allowed three minutes.
5. REPORTS FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Fire Services Employee Commendations
OIC, Jaared Pettit
FAO, John McCartney
Tomas Ramirez
6. REPORTS FROM THE COUNTY MANAGER – Commissioner Visits
7. CONSENT AGENDA
7a. BOC Meeting Minutes February 3, 2026
1) Special Called Meeting – 6:00 p.m.
2) Executive Session
3) Regular Session – 7:00 p.m.
7b. Newton County Fire Services to accept the Publix Community
Grant in the amount of $750.00 to purchase Fire Safety Education materials. There is no match
required. Presenter: Chief Royce Turner
7c. Consideration of an Intergovernmental Agreement between Newton County and the City of
Covington for the operation of a Winter Warming Shelter 2025-2026 winter season.
Time Sensitive. Cost: Up to $15,000.00/Funding Source: General Fund/Budgeted: No
There is no match required. Unanimously agreed by the Board December 2, 2025 Vote 5-0.
This is the end of the consent agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
8. Consideration of Hosting Agreement/Internship Contract to authorize the Newton County
Public Defender’s Office to receive funding from Gillis Long Poverty Law Center –
LOYLA University for law student intern. There is no funding or match required.
Presenter: Anthony Carter
9. January 2026 Financial Presentation – Presenter: Brittany White, Finance Director
10. Consideration of Budget Transfer – Contingency for New Positions
New positions for Facilities Management, Recreation, Finance and Human Resources funded by
the Contingency for new positions line item in the FY26 budget.
Funding Source: General Fund Contingency for new position. Presenter: Brittany White

11. Consideration of a Resolution enacting a moratorium on the acceptance of applications,
requests, or submissions proposing the development of data centers within Newton County
Time Sensitive. Presenter: Shena Applewhaite, Director of Development Services
12. Consideration of a Resolution enacting a moratorium on convenience stores on acceptance of
applications, requests or submissions that propose the development of convenience stores.
Presenter: Shena Applewhaite, Director of Development Services
13. Consideration of Stantec Consulting Professional Services Agreement Contract –
Engineering Services for Water Infrastructure Improvements @ Williams Street Water
Treatment Plant. Cost: Pre-Construction Services($1,962,653.99)
Post-Construction Services ($1,767,192.09 )
Funding Source: GEFA (Georgia Environmental Finance Authority) Budgeted: Yes
Due to cost this is the final of two of the required requests. Presenter: James Brown
14. PUBLIC COMMENTS This time is to allow the public to comment on open topics.
Each speaker is allowed three minutes.
15. BOARD COMMENTS
16. EXECUTIVE SESSION (If needed)
17. ADJOURN