GA HB1536

Reincorporates the City of Eatonton in Putnam County, Georgia, replacing the original 1908 charter, with corporate boundaries defined as a 2.5-mile radius circle (approximately 12,566 acres) centered on the courthouse square

Establishes a governing structure consisting of a mayor elected at-large and seven councilmembers serving four-year terms, with four members elected from individual wards, two from combined wards (Wards 1&4 and Wards 2&3), and one at-large member

Creates a council-administrator form of government where the city council appoints a city administrator to manage day-to-day operations, hire and supervise employees, prepare budgets, and oversee city departments

Establishes a Municipal Court with jurisdiction over city ordinance violations and authority to impose fines up to $1,000 or imprisonment up to 180 days, with judges required to be State Bar members with at least three years of legal practice

Grants the city comprehensive municipal powers including taxation authority, eminent domain, regulation of alcoholic beverages and businesses, operation of public utilities, planning and zoning, and issuance of general obligation and revenue bonds, effective July 1, 2026