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Background:

In August, 2026, several citizens were concerned about the approval by the Board of Commissioners (BOC) of construction of four poultry houses to be built near their homesites. Their concern was that additional poultry houses could be built on the acreage that would create negative effects on families and the environment in the vicinity. The citizens asked for one or more ordinances that would prevent heavy density of poultry houses on acreage near housing clusters, and asked for a moratorium on poultry house operations construction until such ordinances could be considered. The citizens met with Commissioner Terry Chandler about their concerns, and he promised to present the request for a moratorium at a future meeting of the BOC. At the August 10 meeting of the BOC, Commissioner Chandler made a motion for the moatorium, but the motion did not receive a second, and thus failed. Then, Commissioner Dennis Adams made a motion for a “Study Committee” to be formed so that expert review of the issue of poultry house operations density could be considered so that appropriate ordinances could be developed. The motion passed unanimously, and Christina Baxter, County Clerk, was charged with forming the expert committee and for the committee to issue a report to the BOC on or before October 31. As of September 11, the status or activity of the expert committee is unknown  and unreported.

 

October 7, 2026; conversation with Christina Baxter, County Clerk:

Dr. Ritz, Department of Poultry Science, UGA, is gathering data relevant to the poultry house operations ordinance(s). His report is due soon. After the report is sent to our commissioners, a committee consisting of Dr. Ritz, Ms. Baxter, and the commissioners, with two citizen representatives, will review the report and can make comments and any changes that are needed.