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Historical recordHabersham Countyarchived · approved

Commissioners fill two Joint Development Authority seats

The appointments replace representatives whose terms had expired, including the seat left vacant after Kelly Woodall became a county commissioner.

By NEGA Brief Newsroom
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September 15, 2025: Appointment of Mike Beecham to Joint Development Authority

At a glance

What this means now

Where it stands

On September 15, a motion to appoint C. Allen Whitner to the Beecham seat died for lack of a second. Commissioners then voted 4-1, with Commissioner Tench dissenting, to appoint David Lovvorn to fill the seat.

The story

In April 2025, the Development Authority noted that Kelly Woodall, its previous representative to the Joint Development Authority (covering Habersham, Rabun and Banks counties), needed to be replaced because he had become a county commissioner.

SourcesMeeting4817_Approved Minutes - April 17- 2025 Regular Meeting.pdf

On June 16, the Board of Commissioners' agenda proposed at-large Joint Development Authority appointments for Ty Akins and Mike Beecham, both terms having expired June 30. The board voted unanimously to table both appointments until its July 21 meeting, and the July 21 agenda again listed the Akins seat.

SourcesMeeting4831_0 Agenda for 06.16.25 BOC Meeting.pdfMeeting4831_5 Minutes for 06.16.25 BOC Meeting.pdfMeeting4832_0 Agenda for 07.21.25 BOC Meeting.pdf

In August, Development Authority members Jim Butterworth and Mike Franklin expressed interest in joining the Joint Development Authority. On August 18, commissioners voted 5-0 to appoint Butterworth to the seat vacated by the expiration of Ty Akins' term, but again tabled the appointment for the seat left vacant by Mike Beecham's expired term.

SourcesMeeting4821_Approved Minutes - August 14- 2025 Regular Meeting.pdfMeeting4833_8 Minutes for 08.18.25 BOC Meeting Final.pdfMinutes for 08.18.25 BOC Meeting FinalMeeting4833_0 Agenda for 08.18.25 BOC Meeting.pdf

On September 15, a motion to appoint C. Allen Whitner to the Beecham seat died for lack of a second. Commissioners then voted 4-1, with Commissioner Tench dissenting, to appoint David Lovvorn to fill the seat.

SourcesMinutes for 09.15.25 BOC MeetingMeeting4834_4 Minutes for 09.15.25 BOC Meeting.pdf

What happened

How this issue got here

Open any step for its supporting record. A proposal remains labeled as proposed until later evidence establishes an outcome.

Approved
confirmed

Appointment of David Lovvorn to Joint Development Authority

appoint Mr. David Lovvorn to the Joint Development Authority to fill the seat left vacant from Mr. Beecham’s term expiration. Motion carries 4-1

Not approved
confirmed

Appointment of C. Allen Whitner to Joint Development Authority

The motion died for lack of a second.

Not approved
confirmed

Appointment of C. Allen Whitner to Joint Development Authority

Motion by Commissioner Tench to appoint Mr. C. Allen Whitner to the Joint Development Authority

Approved
confirmed

Appointment of David Lovvorn to Joint Development Authority

Motion carries 4-1 with Commissioner Tench dissenting.

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Appointment of Mike Beecham to Joint Development Authority

Mike Beecham (Term Expires 6/30/2025): At-Large Appointment

Tabled
confirmed

Joint Development Authority appointment - seat vacated by Mike Beecham

Motion by Commissioner Mealor, seconded by Commissioner Woodall, and voted unanimously (5-0) to table the appointment for this seat on the Joint Development Authority left vacant by the expiration of Mr. Mike Beecham’s term.

Approved
confirmed

Appointment of Jim Butterworth to Joint Development Authority (seat vacated by Ty Akins)

voted unanimously (5-0) to appoint Jim Butterworth to the Joint Development Authority to take over the seat left vacant by the expiration of Mr. Ty Akins’ term.

Approved
confirmed

Joint Development Authority appointment - seat vacated by Ty Akins

Motion by Commissioner Akins, seconded by Commissioner Mealor, and voted unanimously (5-0) to appoint Jim Butterworth to the Joint Development Authority to take over the seat left vacant by the expiration of Mr. Ty Akins’ term.

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Joint Development Authority appointments (Ty Akins, Mike Beecham)

Joint Development Authority 4-Year Term Expiring 6/30/2029 1. Ty Akins (Term Expires 6/30/2025): At-Large Appointment

Discussed
discussed

Development Authority members' interest in joining the Joint Development Authority

Jim Butterworth and Mike Franklin expressed interest in joining the Joint Development Authority.

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Joint Development Authority appointments (Ty Akins, Mike Beecham)

Ty Akins (Term Expires 6/30/2025): At-Large Appointment

Tabled
confirmed

Joint Development Authority appointment - Ty Akins seat

voted unanimously to table this appointment until the July 21, 2025 Board of Commissioners meeting

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Joint Development Authority appointments: Ty Akins and Mike Beecham

Ty Akins (Term Expires 6/30/2025): At-Large Appointment 2. Mike Beecham (Term Expires 6/30/2025): At-Large Appointment

Tabled
confirmed

Joint Development Authority appointment - Mike Beecham seat

voted unanimously to table this appointment until the July 21, 2025 Board of Commissioners meeting

Discussed
discussed

Joint Development Authority (Habersham, Rabun, Banks Counties) representative needed

Kelly Woodall was previously the Development Authority representative, but he is now a Commissioner and needs to be replaced.

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