The public is invited to attend the Newton County Board of Commissioners annual two-day retreat where the new board of commissioners will weigh in on a number of issues that will impact the county.

The retreat will take place on Friday, Feb. 15, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 16, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Georgia FFA Camp located at 720 FFA Camp Road in Covington.

On Friday night, the board will have dinner and then discuss the tax digest/rollback rate/ad valorem title tax and Treadwell & Tamplin will give a financial perspective and outlook presentation.

The board will also review the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Calendar and Process Overview and go over a project review for the 2011 SPLOST. The Nelson Heights Community Center will also be discussed as the board will consider the center’s management and operations. There will also be discussion on the status of the county’s civic center.

An extensive list of agenda items will be discussed after breakfast on Saturday. Water System Planning and the Bear Creek Reservoir will be discussed with Krebs Engineering beginning at 8:30 a.m.

The board will then talk about ordinances and planning for the Salem Overlay project; minimum lot sizes associated with the 2050 Plan; personal care and day care facilities; a possible firearm discharge ordinance; and curbside pickup with solid waste department.

The first part of Saturday’s meeting will end with discussion of road and transportation improvements and then the board will take a break for lunch at noon.

The meeting will open back up with discussion on the administrative purchasing policies and practices. Items on the table for discussion include the county’s purchasing, purchasing card and employee travel policies.

The BOC’s communications and how the board handles meetings will also be discussed. Discussion items include the county’s website and Facebook; policy considerations; paperless agendas and BOC Packets; iPads; and adding televised meetings.