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In 2022, the City of Toccoa completed Phase I on the Eastanollee Creek wastewater treatment facility and started wortk on Phase II later in the year. Photo by Laura Hewell.
Toccoa city manager Billy Morse outlined the city accomplishments during 2022.
They included the following:
• The Toccoa Fire Department achieved a Class 2 ISO rating.
• The fire department replaced 15 air packs; the multi-year plan to upgrade equipment for all firefighters is now complete.
• All fire hydrants in the City limits have been plotted for the 911GIS mapping system.
• The city commission reduced the property tax millage rate for the second time in three years.
• Successfully renegotiated a new 10-year Local Option Sales Tax Agreement maintaining the previous percentage split.
• The city maintained a stable financial position and received a "clean" audit.
• The city secured and utilized millions of dollars in State and Federal funding for a variety of projects.
• Assisted with the purchase of an Airport Courtesy Vehicle.
• Three fishing piers and a Paddleboat House were constructed at Lake Toccoa.
• The state resurfaced the major highways within the city limits.
• Almost 100 events were held at the Lake Toccoa facilities.
• Orr Park improvements include on-street parking,landscaping and signage to complement the new playground equipment installed by the Housing Authority.
• Nine new businesses were added to the downtown area, plus three new national businesses to Big A Road – Dunkin Donuts, Firehouse Subs and Chick-fil-A.
• The downtown area, including the Ritz Theatre, hosted 225 events totaling over 50,000 in attendance.
• Toccoa received an award from the Georgia Trust for historic Preservation for the Amtrak platform revitalization.
• The Downtown Entertainment District was created.
• Eleven facade grants were awarded to downtown businesses.
• Installed roofline lighting on the downtown buildings.
• The three-year Rural Zone designation by the State of Georgia resulted in over $9 million in private investment downtown.
• The city commission approved a Ground Penetrating Radar Scan and cemetery mapping services.
• Completed another successful year of the Employee Wellness Program.
• Toccoa received almost $20,000 in grant funds to purchase safety equipment.
• The alum ponds at the water plant were dredged.
• The Highway 17 Alternate elevated water tank was cleaned and inspected.
• Installed 100 new water taps, and replaced 84 aging meters.
• The water department worked over 6,400 requests for service.
• Completed Phase I of the Eastanollee Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility renovation project under budget and on schedule, and secured funding for Phase II.
• Maintained state compliance at both wastewater plants, with approval of a new permit for the
Eastanollee plant.
• Maintained compliance of the Natural Gas System with the Georgia Public Service Commission, as well as the North Carolina Utility Commission.
• Installed 88 new gas taps and converted 50 existing gas meters to automated meter reading.
• A new police department computer server has been installed that will greatly enhance the high-data demands required to download in-car camera systems.
• Held three handgun safety classes at the Police Training Center that were well attended by the public.
• The Police Department held classes on "Bank and ATM Response Procedures" and "counterfeit money" that were attended by local merchants and Banks.