LaGRANGE – The Troup County Board of Commissioners voted on several items at their regular meeting on Tuesday, which had an unusually high turnout.

The biggest topic up for discussion was the Fiscal Year 2018 budget’s preliminary figures. Though those numbers may still change due to alterations to the sheriff’s department and the closing of the correctional institute and work release programs.

The budget should be available to the public by the time the county holds its annual budget meeting on May 23.

Grants to courts approved

The commission voted to approve a Mini Technology Award from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for the DUI, Drug Court. The grant of $1,750 will provide the court with funds to purchase a laptop computer and printer for the court. The grant does not require matching funds from the county. The change to the county budget was also approved to reflect the cost neutral grant.

The commission also voted to accept a supplemental grant from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council on behalf of the Felony Drug Court. The grant is for $1,278 and is to be used to purchase a laptop computer for the court. The grant required no matching funds from the county and the change to the county budget was approved with the acceptance.

Public Hearings

The county commission approved a Beer and Wine license for the Exxon Travel Center on Whitesville Road. The location previously had a license, but the license had to be reapproved to reflect new ownership.

The commissioners also approved a rural tourism application that would allow a Bill Taylor Road property owner to provide pony rides on personal property as an extension of an already existing business. The approval came with a set of conditions limiting signage and hours and regulating lighting and parking to prevent the business use from becoming problematic for neighbors.

The Troup County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to meet again on Tuesday, May 23 at 9 a.m. at 100 Ridley Ave.