Boards, Authorities, and Commissions

Boards, Authorities, and Commissions (BACs) allow individual citizens to provide additional input, advice, opinions, and perspectives as well as to evaluate, analyze, review, and/or study specific community issues. BACs may or may not include study of critical issues, hearing public testimony, conducting independent research, and/or reviewing staff reports and/or recommendations. Although BACs do not have the power to make decisions, they will often discuss and develop thoughtful and meaningful recommendations to present to the Mayor and City Council for their consideration. 

The City has a representative on or has established the following BACs:

Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board. The DDA Board was activated by Resolution of the City Council on September 21, 2022. The DDA Board is comprised of seven members, appointed by the Mayor & City Council. Each Board member shall be a taxpayer and resident of the City of Watkinsville, or an owner or operator of a business or represent an owner or operator or otherwise have an economic interest in the redevelopment and revitalization of the downtown development area with at least six residing in Oconee County and with only one being an elected official of the City of Watkinsville. The charter Board members are:

  • 2 year terms: Brock Toole (Special Events Facility - Satisfied Properties), Cristi Donahue (citizen);
  • 3 year terms: Robert Griffith (Retail­ - Golden Pantry), Mellony Adkins (Restaurant- Chops & Hops); 
  • 4 year terms: Paul Lancaster (Office - Law firm), Dan Elder (Service - Oconee Well Drillers), Christine Tucker (City Council). 

With this action, the Council also established the geographical area of the DDA. Click here for the DDA map. Downtown Development Authorities were created for each City in Georgia, for Downtown Development Authority functions and purposes, per Georgia Law, OCGA 36-42-1, et. seq., including: revitalization and redevelopment of central business districts to develop and promote for public good and general welfare trade, commerce, industry, and employment opportunities and promote the general welfare by creating a climate favorable to new industry, trade, and commerce and development of existing industry, trade, and commerce; and Revitalization and redevelopment of central business districts by financing projects to develop and promote for public good and general welfare trade, commerce, industry, and employment and promote the general welfare; all for the public interest and the public welfare, so to revitalize and redevelop central business districts. Downtown Development Authorities are eligible to receive certain grant monies that local businesses or merchants association cannot receive, and can utilize a variety of financing tools outlined in Georgia law, to be used in a number of ways to bring about revitalization and economic development of the central business district. In addition, the Downtown Development Authority of Watkinsville shall serve as an urban redevelopment agency under the Urban Redevelopment Law, and serve as a redevelopment agency under the Redevelopment Powers Law, and may contract with Watkinsville to carry out City Business Improvement District services in the downtown area.

Agenda & Minutes

Library Advisory Board. The Library Advisory Board is comprised of 12 members, made up of representatives appointed by the libraries’ funding agencies in Oconee County. The Board meets the second Monday of January, April, July, and October at 4:30 p.m. Each Board representative serves a three-year term. Applicants must be a resident of Watkinsville and a registered voter. The Board advises the libraries on planning, finance, local services, and library advocacy and makes recommendations to the Mayor and Council for formal approval. The mission of the Oconee County Libraries is to offer effective and professional service by providing library materials, resources, information, and life-long learning opportunities for the people of Oconee County. Please see http://www.athenslibrary.org/oconee/ for more information on programs and activities. The city’s current (2020) citizen representative is:

  • Jon Kirkpatrick (term: January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2023)

Urban Forest Board (UFB). The UFB was established in 2006 with the Council’s passing of the Urban Forest Ordinance. Per the Ordinance, the Board consists of five members, each serving four (4) years. Members "shall be residents of the city and shall be appointed by the mayor and city council and shall serve without compensation." Members of the UFB will include the Code Enforcement/Compliance Officer, one councilman, and three citizens. The current (2020) Board members are:

  • Brett Thomas, Council - Post 3 (Chair) 
  • Susanna Drennan, citizen (term: April 2021 - April 30, 2024)
  • Bill Hunt, citizen (term: May 1, 2020 - April 30, 2024)
  • Harris Lowery, citizen (term: May 1, 2020 - April 30, 2024)
  • Tobie Cartledge, Code Compliance Officer
  • Mark Campbell, City Engineer (non-voting)

For more information, please contact City Hall at 706-769-5161.