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The Troup County Board of Commissioners declared a local state of emergency in Troup County during Tuesday afternoon’s commission meeting, effective immediately.

Essentially, the state of emergency allows the county greater flexibility to make speedy decisions during the uncertain conditions surrounding COVID-19. 

The declaration meant the Troup County Emergency Management Agency activated the Emergency Operations Plan, and Section 62-78 (a) was activated, giving the county the right to waive procedures and fee structures.

The declaration states that the local state of emergency in Troup County shall continue until the conditions requiring the declaration are abated.

Additionally, on Tuesday night, the Troup County Board of Commissioners approved several special business agenda items, including a resolution supporting the second amendment. 

“Just a couple weeks ago, the sheriff approached us about a resolution that he had asked us to join him in signing,” said Chairman Patrick Crews. “Basically, this is a resolution in support of Second Amendment rights to the constitution for our citizens here in Troup County.”

On Feb. 27, Troup County Sheriff James Woodruff presented a resolution to the board called a “Second Amendment Sanctuary” resolution, also known as a gun sanctuary resolution in other areas.

“I just appreciate the commissioners seeing the need to approve it and making Troup County a Second Amendment Sanctuary County,” Woodruff said. “It gives our citizens a right to bear arms and defend themselves. From the very beginning when I ran for office, I stood for the second amendment and I still do now. I believe we cannot take weapons away from our local citizens, and they have no way to defend themselves if someone tries to harm them.”

The resolutions states “…the Troup County Board of Commissioners and the Troup County Sheriff wish to publicly express their deep commitment to the rights of all citizens of Troup County by honoring, protecting and upholding the Constitution of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the Troup County Board of Commissioners and the Sheriff of Troup County wish to express opposition to any law, including those now or that may hereafter be introduced in the Georgia General Assembly, that would unconstitutionally restrict the right of the citizens of Troup County to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment…”

The commissioners also approved to lift the hiring freeze to refill the position of administrative secretary.

The commissioners said that administrative secretary is a budgeted position and this request will have no negative impact on the budget.

The board approved Kenneth Cooke, Chief Assistant Public Defender Coweta Judicial Circuit, and County Planner Erin Johnson for two Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) Summer Intern Grants.

The board approved Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Coordinator Denise Smith, to apply for grant funding for Felony Adult Drug Court, DUI/Drug Court and Family Treatment Court. 

The Mental Health Court was approved to apply for the Accountability Court Judges grant in the amount of $319,903.

The grant is reimbursable and requires a match. The City of LaGrange provides the match funds.

The board approved to accept the Recreational Trails grant for the extension of The Thread. The grant is in the amount of $200,000 and will require a $25,000 match which will come from SPLOST funds