The Ellijay City Council convened for its final regular meeting of the year, tackling a full agenda that set the stage for 2026. From solid financial health to landmark new regulations, here’s what you need to know about the decisions made.
A Snapshot of City Finances
The council first reviewed the city’s fiscal position. Overall, spending is at a healthy 77% of the total budget for the current fiscal year, notably under the 92% annual target. Year-to-date, the city has seen approximately $50 million in revenues against $48 million in expenditures.
A department-level review showed most areas are on track, with two highlights:
- Superior Court is at 198% of its budget, primarily due to pending grant reimbursements.
- The Sheriff’s Office is operating at 95% of its allocated budget.
Key Motions & New Business Approved
The council moved forward with several operational items, including:
- Approval of two alcohol beverage license changes of ownership.
- Acceptance of bids for propane delivery and concrete services (awarded to Southern Concrete).
- The addition of “Mitchell 1” as a new city service provider.
Ordinances Adopted
December’s meeting will be remembered for the adoption of three significant ordinances that have been in development:
- Cryptocurrency and Data Mining Ordinance
- Short-Term Rental (STR) Ordinance
- Updated Land Use Procedures and Standards Ordinance
These frameworks are designed to manage growth and emerging technologies within the community.
Short-Term Rental Enforcement: Clarity for 2026
With the STR Ordinance now official, the council established a clear enforcement and fine structure, effective January 1, 2025. The policy emphasizes correction before penalty, with a progressive sequence:
- Initial Warning: A 30-day period to correct any violation.
- Tiered Fines (Beginning Day 31):
- Tier 1 ($250): For administrative issues (e.g., missing license posting, improper parking).
- Tier 2 ($500): For moderate violations (e.g., exceeding occupancy, noise during quiet hours).
- Tier 3 (Variable Fee): For severe non-compliance (e.g., operating without a license), including a fee of 3x the license cost ($1200) for unlicensed operation.
- Fines double if unresolved by Day 61, and licenses face suspension after 90 days of non-compliance.
Important Notes: The policy includes a right to appeal and is not retroactive—no fines will be issued for 2024 violations.
Boards, Appointments & Major Projects
The council made several key appointments to citizen boards:
- Two members to the Gilmer-Pickens County Joint Development Authority.
- Two members to the Planning Commission.
- Three members to the Parks & Recreation Board.
In significant action items, the council:
- Authorized the annexation of the “New Beginnings” property (Folio 367022).
- Certified the results of the November 4th SPLOST vote.
- Approved a five-year contract with Troy Engineering for professional services related to the airport improvement plan, following a competitive RFQ scoring process.
Session Closes with Executive Discussion
The council voted to enter into a closed Executive Session to discuss real estate and personnel matters. No actions were reported following that session.
Public Participation
No citizens spoke during the designated public comment period.
Stay Informed with Your City Government
Want to watch the discussion? A recording of this meeting will be available soon from New Ellijay Television