Bowdon approves liability policy for city property

The Bowdon City Council on Monday approved Munich Re's quote of $125,819 to provide liability insurance for all city equipment and buildings.

Additionally, the council approved a rezoning request after a public hearing to rezone 688 Wedowee Street from R1 (single-family residential) to R2 (two-family/medium density residential). The property owner, Mark Cheney, said his reason for submitting the request was so he could add an additional house on the property.

A resolution authorizing Bowdon to participate in the updated amicus brief in Chang v. City of Milton, per the request of city attorney Nicole Smith, was approved by council members. The case involves questions about municipal liability and sovereign immunity in Georgia related to alleged nuisance claims arising from personal injury. The Georgia Supreme Court recently clarified that waivers of sovereign immunity must come from the Georgia Constitution or the Georgia General Assembly, not from judicial expansion.

Georgia courts continue to evaluate whether municipalities may be held liable under nuisance theories for personal injury claims, creating uncertainty in current law. The issue has significant statewide impact on all Georgia cities and how municipal liability is applied, and many cities across the state have formally lent their support to Milton, including cities in west Georgia.

The next Bowdon City Council meeting will take place Monday, June 8, 2026 at 6 p.m. at Bowdon City Hall, located at 182 Grammar School Dr., Bowdon.