James Blackburn

The work session included several key agenda items following the invocation and pledge of allegiance, including a swearing-in ceremony for commissioners. Discussions centered on proposed modifications to the employee handbook, specifically removing an exclusion clause for executive and contract employees, and updating the credit card policy to mandate submission of receipts within three business days of transactions and verifying sales tax exemption compliance. The commission also removed the holiday calendar revision item from the subsequent official meeting agenda, as 2026 holidays align appropriately with existing workdays. Furthermore, the session addressed various committee, board, and agency appointments, noting several vacant seats, and Commissioner District Five raised concerns regarding the city newspaper vendor and the need to review the insurance broker/pricing via an RFQ process.

The session included an information session covering various operational updates. Key discussion points included travel and training schedules, with newly elected officials training planned. Operational updates noted the city remaining in the midterm phase, with ongoing policy and procedure updates, and infrastructure needs review. A major topic was the bid for CDBG engineering services for infrastructure improvements (water, sewer, streets, drainage), where ESG Engineering of Monroe, Georgia, was recommended based on a cost structure of 8% of the total project cost. The Police Department introduced the implementation of a co-responder program with Unison Behavioral Health to assist with mental health crises, which is grant-funded and involves no city expense, while also discussing liability waivers for Unison personnel. Additionally, the commission discussed the need to purchase six new police vehicles using 2023 SPLOST funds due to an aging fleet, noting that these vehicles would be fully equipped upon delivery. A request was made for consent to vote on the vehicle purchase the following day and a request to change the date of a future work session.

The meeting commenced with an invocation and pledge of allegiance, followed by the approval of the agenda. Key discussions included providing recognition and an award to an individual for their exceptional work in the management and restoration of city cemeteries, specifically addressing issues like damaged headstones and maintenance challenges. Board appointments for several bodies, including the Wross Wear County Land Bank Authority, Board of Zoning and Appeals, Planning Commission, and Board of Ethics, were reviewed and approved. The City Manager's report detailed ongoing infrastructure projects such as dirt road paving, water/sewer leak repairs, and meter operations improvements, noting a significant increase in meter read rates. The finance report summarized December collections, yearly appropriations for roads, vehicles, parks, and infrastructure, and detailed monthly expenditures for police, fire, public works, and support staff salaries/benefits.

The Commission meeting commenced following an invocation and pledge of allegiance. Key agenda items included the approval of the meeting agenda, the confirmation of Board of Ethics appointments nominated by various commissioners and the Mayor, and a city manager report detailing progress on the 10-year plan objectives such as policy updates, workforce strengthening, technology overhaul, and infrastructure funding. Operational updates covered weekly infrastructure activities, including water leak repairs which created priorities, dirt road paving schedules, and information on where residents can view paving updates online. The finance report provided year-to-date collection figures for various revenue sources and spending allocations from the 2023 SPLOST. Business included the approval of a bid for CDBG Engineering Services, awarded to ESG Engineering of Mcdonough, Georgia, with costs set at 8% of the total project cost for infrastructure improvements. Additionally, the commission passed resolutions approving the purchase of six fully equipped police pursuit vehicles for $333,000 using 2023 SPLOST funds, and another to reschedule a future work session due to commissioner travel. A second reading and approval was given for an ordinance amending the city code regarding the oath of office for police officers. A privilege license renewal for Walgreens was also approved.

The session covered public comments and official business. Public commentary included a presentation regarding proposed changes to alcohol license fees, advocating for a scalable, percentage-based structure to protect small businesses. Another speaker addressed downtown concerns, including unoccupied properties and rising rent costs impacting businesses, and requested revisiting the alcohol license fee structure. The agenda also addressed surplus property actions, including the disposition of an old rescue tool set and the finalization of the sale of a lot on City Boulevard, which was previously agreed upon in executive session. Furthermore, there was a discussion on updating animal management fees and fines, noting that current fees for animals at large have been ineffective due to enforcement challenges related to animal identification; proposed fee increases for first, second, and third offenses related to animals at large and vicious bites were presented for future discussion at a retreat. Several subsequent items, including vacancies, inspections, and property setbacks, were noted as topics to be addressed at a later retreat.