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.