The City of Cornelia Commission held their monthly meeting and a budget public hearing Monday night, during which they discussed their 2022 budget and amendments to their alcohol ordinance.
The commission held a public hearing for their 2022 budget, during which no members of the public voiced questions or concerns relating to the budget during. Mayor John Borrow encourages any citizens with questions or concerns regarding the budget to contact City Manager Dee Anderson or City Financial Director Melanie Chandler.
Click here to view the Cornelia 2022 budget
The commission will consider the adoption of the 2022 budget at a special called meeting at noon on Dec. 20.
The Cornelia Commission also voted to post amendments to the city’s alcohol sales ordinance to allow for the package sale of distilled spirits after citizens voted to allow liquor sales in the Nov. 2 election. The amendments allow the city control of licensing, taxation, regulation of and sale of liquor in Cornelia.
Liquor stores in Cornelia will be limited to setting up shop along the city’s highway business district, away from Downtown Cornelia and the historic district, according to the ordinance amendments. The city will not allow liquor stores to open within 500 yards of any other business selling alcohol, and per state laws, cannot exist within 100 yards of a church, 100 yards of an alcohol treatment center and 200 yards of a school.
Click here to read the alcohol ordinance amendments
The establishing fee to open a liquor store in Cornelia would be $5,000. The city will hold a public forum for the alcohol sales ordinance at their Jan. 4 meeting.
