The Newton County Board of Commissioners (BOC) attended its annual retreat at Newton County Fire Headquarters Jan. 31. The retreat was an opportunity for BOC members and the county’s constitutional officers to participate in a workshop designed to help county leaders prepare as they go forward in their strategic planning for the county.

The leaders were also given an in depth briefing on the county’s new form of government, and how to best comply with Georgia’s open meetings laws.

Under the new county government, the chairman has no direct authority over day to day operations of the county or management of county employees. That authority rests with the county manager, who is now the chief administrative officer of the county.

Additionally, the chairman now has veto power over legislation.  Any veto, however, can be overridden by a majority vote of the commissioners. Also, the chairman and county manager now set the agenda for BOC meetings. Board members are tasked with control of taxation and the budget, planning and zoning and making appointments.