On Monday, the Troup County Board of Commissioners officially announced the dates of its newly instated evening commission meetings.

In October, the Troup County Board of Commissioners discussed holding one work session and one regular meeting a month in the evening. According to the announcement on Monday, the first evening meeting will be a work session on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 5 p.m., and the board of commissioners will also meet on Tuesday Jan. 21, at 5p.m. for a regular meeting. Both meetings will take place in the Troup County Board of Commissioners Chambers on the first floor of the Troup County Government Center at 100 Ridley Ave.

During discussion of the evening meetings, members of the Troup County Board of Commissioners stated that they felt the later meeting times would be more convenient for citizens who might not be able to attend meetings at 9 a.m., when the commission has previously met.

“I think for me it is an important step toward allowing citizens to take part in county commission meetings,” Troup County Board of Commissioners Chairman Patrick Crews said.

Crews said that the update to meeting times in addition to online features expected to be ready early next year, should make it easier for citizens to participate in commission meetings and remain informed.

All Troup County Board of Commissioners work sessions and meetings are open to the public, and the announcement said commissioners encourage all citizens to attend meetings in order to stay informed and provide feedback on important issues in the county.

“We want to do everything we can to ensure that all citizens are able to participate in our meetings and be involved in the decisions we make, and I believe that this is another great tool that we can offer to make sure that everyone is given that opportunity,” said District 3 Commissioner Lewis C. Davis, in the announcement.

The Troup County Board of Commissioners had received a request from members of the local branch of the NAACP and local Democratic leaders to consider holding meetings during the evenings in July.

The Troup County Board of Commissioners typically hold two work sessions and two commission meetings a month. Work sessions are held on the Thursday prior to commission meetings to discuss agenda items before they are voted on during scheduled meetings. Beginning in 2020, one work session and one commission meeting a month will be held in the evening. Troup County will also hold meetings on Thursday, Jan. 2 and Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 9 a.m.

For a full schedule of Troup County government public meetings, visit Troupcountyga.iqm2.com/Citizens/Calendar.aspx.