Mayor Liz Ordiales welcomes you to the City of Hiawassee's website. Please explore our site to find information about the services we provide and how to attain them. You can also find out about your city government to include elected officials and hired staff. You can view recent city council agendas and minutes. Learn about the history of Hiawassee as well as facts about our population and geography. Additionally, you can find out information about doing business in Hiawassee.

The City of Hiawassee is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Details: Category: Hiawassee News and Events

WATCH LIVE: GMA & GPB Town Hall Tonight at 7

Cities United The Road to Equity Inclusion Image

Tonight, Aug. 6 from 7-8 p.m., GMA will join Georgia Public Broadcasting to host "Cities United: The Road to Equity and Inclusion."

This virtual Town Hall event will begin a statewide conversation on race, equity and inclusion, how these issues impact Georgia’s communities, and how city officials can make equity a priority in their communities.Town Hall Panelists:

Jim Thornton, LaGrange Mayor, Co-Chair, GMA Equity and Inclusion Commission
Hardie Davis, Augusta Mayor, Co-chair, GMA Equity and Inclusion Commission
Keisha Lance Bottoms, Atlanta Mayor
Robert Reichert, Macon-Bibb County Mayor
Special remarks from Rep. Calvin Smyre, Georgia House of Representative

Follow this link to add the event and streaming instructions to your calendar.

Watch the Town Hall at 7 p.m.

Learn more at : https://www.gpb.org/events/news/2020/08/06/cities-united-the-road-equity-and-inclusion-town-hall

Details: Category: Hiawassee News and Events

Hiawassee is Broadband Ready:

North Georgia City Recognized by State

ATLANTA (July 31, 2020) – Hiawassee is the latest Georgia community to receive Broadband Ready Community Certification from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). This designation recognizes a city and/or county whose local government has completed the application and demonstrated compliance with the adoption of a local comprehensive plan inclusive of the deployment of broadband services and a Broadband Model Ordinance.

Hiawassee is located in the North Georgia mountains in Towns County and is home to the highest point in the state. Mayor Liz Ordiales said good internet service is difficult to obtain in the higher elevations. Although multiple internet providers are available, she said the current state of Hiawassee’s accessibility is limited.

“We have two key players in the area: [Blue Ridge Mountain EMC] which provides Hi-Speed fiber optic but is limited to only central locations, i.e. main highway or intersections. Windstream is the other key player, [and] the internet service is marginal.”

Mayor Ordiales participated in a DCA webinar in 2019 which explained the broadband initiative being developed. From there, she and her team spent one year working toward application fulfillment. The process required collaboration and updates to the city’s ordinances, Comprehensive Plans, and more.

“The City is molding its future based on a City Strategic Plan that was adopted in 2019. This plan includes several areas of focus,” Mayor Ordiales said. “Quality of life, economic development, and workforce development are the three most critical to pursue. Broadband is critical to the success of each these plans.”

Therefore, the Broadband Ready Community Certification designates Hiawassee as one of nearly 10 cities and counties in Georgia that have prioritized broadband as an essential planning component. Mayor Ordiales adds, “While Hiawassee is and will most likely remain a travel and tourism destination, the City strives to attract/retain middle-class job opportunities and employees. We feel this designation is critical to our success in achieving the goals for our future.”

The mayor also highly encourages other communities to apply for this designation. Specifically, she cites COVID-19’s impact on everyday life especially for the workforce.

“With the pandemic situation that is currently affecting our nation, the need to work from home or remotely is essential,” she said. “Having strong broadband presence is critical to accommodate this new need. We believe that this will become a ‘new normal.’”

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About the Department of Community Affairs

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) partners with communities to build strong and vibrant neighborhoods, commercial and industrial areas through community and economic development, local government assistance, and safe and affordable housing. Using state and federal resources, DCA helps communities spur private job creation, implement planning, develop downtowns, generate affordable housing solutions and promote volunteerism. DCA also helps qualified Georgians with low and moderate incomes buy homes, rent housing and prevent foreclosure and homelessness. For more information, visit www.dca.ga.gov.

Details: Category: Hiawassee News and Events

Gov. Kemp Extends COVID-19 Executive Orders

JUNE 29, 2020

Atlanta, GA - Today Governor Brian P. Kemp signed two executive orders extending the Public Health State of Emergency and existing COVID-19 safety measures.

"As we continue our fight against COVID-19 in Georgia, it is vital that Georgians continue to heed public health guidance by wearing a mask, washing their hands regularly, and practicing social distancing," said Governor Kemp. "We have made decisions throughout the pandemic to protect the lives - and livelihoods - of all Georgians by relying on data and the advice of public health officials."

"While we continue to see a decreasing case fatality rate, expanded testing, and adequate hospital surge capacity, in recent days, Georgia has seen an increase in new cases reported and current hospitalizations. Given these trends, I am extending previous COVID-19 safety requirements and guidelines that were due to expire on June 30 at 11:59 PM. Dr. Kathleen Toomey and the Department of Public Health, along with our local public health partners, will continue to monitor ongoing cases and related data to ensure that we are taking appropriate measures moving forward. Together, we can win the fight against COVID-19 and emerge stronger."

Executive Order 06.29.20.01 extends the Public Health State of Emergency through 11:59 PM on August 11, 2020. The Public Health State of Emergency allows for enhanced coordination across government and the private sector for supply procurement, comprehensive testing, and healthcare capacity.

Executive Order 06.29.20.02 continues to require social distancing, bans gatherings of more than fifty people unless there is six feet between each person, outlines mandatory criteria for businesses, and requires sheltering in place for those living in long-term care facilities and the medically fragile. The order also outlines that the State Board of Education must provide "rules, regulations, and guidance for the operation of public elementary and secondary schools for local boards of education" in accordance with guidance from Dr. Kathleen Toomey, the Department of Public Health, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The order runs through 11:59 PM on July 15, 2020.

Download Executive Orders 06.29.20.01 and 06.29.20.02

Gov. Kemp Signs New COVID-19 Executive Order

JUNE 11, 2020

Atlanta, GA - Today Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Executive Order 06.11.20.01 - Empowering a Healthy Georgia. The order addresses ongoing emergency response efforts for fighting the spread of COVID-19. Unless noted otherwise in specific sections, the order goes into effect at 12 AM on June 16, 2020 and runs through 11:59 PM on June 30, 2020.

Sports: Effective June 16, professional sports teams and organizations must follow the rules and guidelines set by their respective leagues. High school and collegiate teams and organizations must follow the rules and guidelines set by their applicable conferences or associations. Amateur sports teams and organizations must follow the criteria for non-critical infrastructure entities outlined in the order.

Sheltering in Place: Effective immediately, residents and visitors of Georgia who are sixty-five years of age or older are no longer required to shelter in place unless they meet any of the following categories:

Those persons who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility, including inpatient hospice, assisted living communities, personal care homes, intermediate care homes, community living arrangements, and community integration homes
Those persons who have chronic lung disease
Those persons who have moderate to severe asthma
Those persons who have severe heart disease
Those persons who are immunocompromised
Those persons, of any age, with class III or severe obesity
Those persons diagnosed with the following underlying medical conditions: diabetes, liver disease, and persons with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis

Gatherings: Effective June 16, gatherings of more than fifty people are banned unless there is at least six feet between each person. This rule does not apply to critical infrastructure entities, incidental or transitory groupings, or cohabitating individuals.

Drinking and Eating (effective June 16): In restaurants and dining rooms, there is no longer a party maximum for the number of people who can sit together. There is no longer a limit on the number of patrons allowed per square foot. Workers at restaurants, dining rooms, banquet facilities, private event facilities, and private reception venues are only required to wear face coverings when they are interacting with patrons. In a bar, now you can have fifty people – up from twenty-five – or thirty-five percent of total listed fire capacity, whichever is greater. For salad bars and buffets, a worker can use cafeteria-style service to serve patrons or the establishment can provide hand sanitizer, install a sneeze guard, enforce social distancing, and regularly replace shared utensils to allow patron self-service.

Overnight Summer Camps (effective June 16): Campers and workers may not attend an overnight summer camp unless they have received a negative COVID-19 test within twelve days – up from seven days – prior to starting camp.

Conventions: Effective July 1, a “convention” may occur if it meets twenty-one specific requirements in addition to the requirements for non-critical infrastructure entities. “Convention” means “an organized event of more than 100 persons that are required to register or obtain a license to gather for a common purpose at a single indoor facility or grouping of indoor facilities for more than four hours and in some cases for more than one day” and “shall include exhibitions, trade shows, conferences, and business retreats.” The term “convention” does not include any regular operation of a business that occurs on property owned or leased for the exclusive operation of such business, nor does the term encompass regular religious services, business meetings, sports competitions, or events categorized by O.C.G.A. § 16-11-173(b)(1)(A).

Live Performance Venues: Effective July 1, a “live performance venue” may reopen for business if it complies with specific criteria based on whether it is designated Tier I, II, or III. There are certain exceptions in the order for drive-in performances; private recording sessions, livestream performances, practices, fanless events, and rehearsals; and non-ticketed or free events. “Live Performance Venue” means “any indoor or outdoor location that requires patrons to purchase a license to attend an event featuring live musical, dramatical, automotive, educational, or any other type of entertainment performed before in-person patrons.” The term does not include restaurants and dining rooms, banquet facilities, private event facilities, private reception venues, weddings, drive-in venues, or events held as part of a convention, and the term does not include outdoor recreational fields used for amateur sporting events.

Effective June 16: At indoor movie theaters and cinemas, there is no longer a limit on the number of people who may sit together in a party. Walk-ins are now allowed at body art studios, barber shops, hair salons, their respective schools, massage therapy establishments, and tanning facilities subject to specific requirements.

Mandatory requirements for operating non-critical infrastructure businesses, for-profit corporations, non-profit corporations, and organizations are extended through the end of the month. Specific requirements for previously closed businesses remain in effect.

Please click here to Download the complete Order

Details: Category: Hiawassee News and Events

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

LLOYDS LANDING RECREATION AREA

FOR THE CITY OF HIAWASSEE, GEORGIA

Proposals will be received by the City of Hiawassee, Georgia (OWNER), for furnishing all materials, labor, tools, equipment, and any other miscellaneous items necessary for installation of a Child’s Play Area.

Project specifications and bid package are available from the City of Hiawassee website at www.hiawasseega.gov:

Proposals will be received at Hiawassee City Hall, 50 River Street, Hiawassee, Georgia 30546 until 2:00 PM on Friday, June 19, 2020. Any proposal received after said date will not be considered by OWNER. Proposals will be evaluated by OWNER and the project will be awarded, if it is awarded, within five (5) days of the proposal due date. If a contractor is not selected within ten (10) days of the proposal due date, any bidder that is determined by the OWNER to be unlikely of being selected for contract award shall be released from their proposal.

The Project consists of, but is not limited to the following major elements:

Supply and installation of a Child’s Play Area, Lloyd’s Landing Recreation Area of Lake Chatuge

Contractor will be selected with the best design that complements the natural elements of Lloyds Landing Recreation Area and competitive pricing.Time of completion for all work associated with this project shall be sixty (60) consecutive calendar days from the date of a written "Notice to Proceed" from OWNER.

For technical questions regarding this project, you may call Mayor Liz Ordiales (706) 896-2202 or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The successful bidder will be required to furnish OWNER with general liability insurance.

All proposals must be made out on the bid form of the type enclosed in the Contract Documents. No interlineation, additions, or deletions shall be made in the bid form by the BIDDER. CONTRACTORS and SUBCONTRACTORS bidding on this Project will be required to comply with all Federal, State, and local laws. OWNER reserves the right to waive any informality or to reject any or all proposals, to evaluate proposals, and to accept any proposal which in its opinion may be in the best interest of the OWNER. No proposal will be rejected without just cause.

Liz Ordiales, Mayor

Hiawassee, Georgia

Please download the Bid Package Here

Details: Category: Hiawassee News and Events

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

LLOYDS LANDING RECREATION AREA

FOR THE CITY OF HIAWASSEE, GEORGIA

Project specifications and bid package are available from the City of Hiawassee website at www.hiawasseega.gov.

The Project consists of, but is not limited to the following major elements:

Supply and installation of a floating kayak dock.

Bidder shall submit, with the bid, kayak floating dock a detailed material list and design drawing.

Contractor will be selected with the best design that complements the natural elements of Lloyds Landing Recreation Area and competitive pricing.

Time of completion for all work associated with this project shall be sixty (60) consecutive calendar days from the date of a written "Notice to Proceed" from OWNER.

The successful bidder will be required to furnish OWNER with general liability insurance.

All proposals must be made out on the bid form of the type enclosed in the Contract Documents. No interlineation, additions, or deletions shall be made in the bid form by the BIDDER.

CONTRACTORS and SUBCONTRACTORS bidding on this Project will be required to comply with all Federal, State, and local laws.

OWNER reserves the right to waive any informality or to reject any or all proposals, to evaluate proposals, and to accept any proposal which in its opinion may be in the best interest of the OWNER. No proposal will be rejected without just cause.

Liz Ordiales, Mayor

Hiawassee, Georgia

Please download the Bid Package Here