The Newton County Board of Commissioners heard an appeal of the Sherrod Farms preliminary plat (APP26-00003), a proposal for 310 single‑family lots on about 399.3 acres. Staff, the applicant and residents debated traffic, environmental and historic preservation concerns; the board voted to table the case for 60 days for more analysis and community meetings.

At the Newton County hearing, residents said investment companies buying homes and converting them to rentals have driven up assessed values, and one speaker cited nearly 100 homes in foreclosure or tax sale. Commenters urged the county to consider how those market forces affect individual homeowners before raising the millage.