The story
At a January 2025 work session, the city administrator recommended contracting with Civic Enhancement Strategies LLC and requested council approval of fees for rezonings and annexations. At its regular meeting the same night, the Demorest City Council approved the contract with Civic Enhancement Strategies LLC for planning and zoning services on a 4-0 vote, and separately adopted a permit and fee schedule for development services, also 4-0.
The council continued discussing planning and zoning services later that month and held a public hearing on planning and services for the city in February 2025.
Separately, the city's Downtown Development Authority pursued its own arrangement with Jessie Owensby of Civic Enhancement Strategies. In June 2025 she presented a proposal to the DDA board; in July the DDA voted to negotiate a lesser offer and have the city attorney review the contract; and in August the DDA approved a $2,000 contract with Owensby for a DDA Funding Resources Program.
Meanwhile the permit fee schedule adopted in January drew comments and concerns, and in August 2025 the council was tasked with making recommendations back to the administrator. At its September 4, 2025 meeting, the council tabled the permit fee schedule on a 4-0 vote.
The city held a further public hearing in March 2026 to consider a recommendation from Civic Enhancement Strategies.