DEMOREST, Ga.- The Demorest City Council postponed a decision Tuesday whether to raise the city’s water rates in 2026, tabling a proposal until members can review more detailed financial projections and long-term infrastructure needs. The item is expected to return at the council’s January meeting.
The council also heard from Barry Church of VFW Post 7720, who spoke on behalf on Wreaths Across America about this year’s wreath-laying ceremony scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13, at Demorest Cemetery.
This year, the annual ceremony just happens to coincide with the Army-Navy football game, and is part of a nationwide effort to honor veterans by placing wreaths on their graves.
Founded in 2007, Wreaths Across America partners with local volunteers and veterans’ groups to ensure each veteran’s grave is remembered during the holiday season.
Following Church’s presentation, the council presented him with a donation check to help fund wreaths for local veterans.
Earlier in the meeting, the council held a public hearing on a request from resident David Cook to add a secondary accessory dwelling unit at 331 Pine Avenue. After a brief discussion, the council denied the special-use request.
The council then moved through a slate of administrative items, voting to accept Downtown Development Authority member Jamie Allred’s resignation, holding a first reading of the home-rule charter amendments; adopting final changes to the city’s temporary special event license ordinance; and formally accepting the Local Emergency Operations Plan, which outlines how the city coordinates response efforts during major incidents.
