Troup County Manager Mike Dobbs has imposed a hiring freeze through the end of this year, citing “the uncertainty of revenues and rising costs.”

“It is our hope that this action will reduce the possibility of a reduction of work hours to our current employees or the potential of layoffs,” Dobbs said in a Nov. 14 memo to department heads.

In addition, departments are limited to “essential office supplies or services necessary for day-to-day operations,” and capital purchases are on hold at least through 2008.

Dobbs read the memo at Tuesday’s County Commission meeting.

In other matters, the commission:

n Delayed until Dec. 2 a vote on whether to rezone 1,379 acres for Talisa Township, a residential and commercial development that would be built over 20 years along Kimbrough and Lower Glass Bridge roads.

Board members said they want to find out what help the DOT can provide for road improvements that would be needed to accommodate the development.

n Approved relocating the American Red Cross offices from Main Street to the former county administration building at 900 Dallis St. The Red Cross will occupy the former County Commission offices and have access to the former commission chambers.

n Approved a $100,000 grant application to the state Department of Natural Resources for biking, walking and horse trails on the 205-acre north side of Pyne Road Park.

The money would be used for a restroom/pavilion area near the trailhead, and the county would provide $25,000 worth of in-kind services, including grading and inmate labor to clear the paths.

The state has $3.2 million to give way.

“We applied last year and scored high, but there wasn’t enough money to go around,” said Tod Tentler, recreation director and assistant county manager.

Tentler said he hopes to eventually have 30 miles of trails at the park.

Also Tuesday, the commission held the first reading of Willie Reese Estate’s application to rezone 4 acres at 231 Chipley-Mountville Road from agricultural to agricultural residential. The change would allow the property to be divided into two 2-acre lots for estate purposes. The current zoning requires minimum 5-acre lots.

The county received a petition with 25 signatures opposed to the rezoning because it would detract from “the country setting and increase traffic.”