Shawn Fowler

Key agenda items included the second reading of an amendment to the City of Chatsworth's Code of Ordinances concerning Fireworks regulations, aligning with Senate Bill 417. The council reviewed a request to approve an agreement with Holli Myers to accept donated landscaping materials and services for four downtown beds. New business involved the presentation of an ordinance to extend the corporate limits of the City of Chatsworth by annexing 12.65 acres from Hamilton Medical Center Inc. Other items included the presentation of a resolution appointing Andrew Powell as Municipal Court Solicitor, a request to approve the FY2024 Annual Financial statement, and a request to approve road closures for a fundraising event hosted by Chatsworth-Murray Beautiful. The agenda also covered requests for approval for a pouring malt beverage and distilled spirits license for Los Paroles Mexican Restaurant #2 LLC, an amendment to increase annexation fees, the purchase of new structural firefighting PPE for the Fire Department, and authorization to write off $1,255.66 in uncollectable personal property tax bills.

The meeting involved the adoption of the agenda and the approval of minutes from a previous public hearing and regular session meeting. A Special Called Meeting was scheduled for February 23, 2026, to read the ordinance regarding the annexation request filed by Hamilton Medical Center Inc. Old Business included the adoption of the second reading of an amendment to the Code of Ordinances regarding fireworks regulations, and the approval of an agreement with Holli Myers to accept a donation of landscaping materials for downtown beds. New Business items included the first reading of the annexation ordinance for property related to Hamilton Medical Center Inc., the adoption of a resolution appointing Andrew Powell as the Municipal Court Solicitor, and the approval of the FY2024 Annual Financial statement. The council also approved a road closure for a fundraising event, approved pouring malt beverage and distilled spirits licenses for Los Paroles Mexican Restaurant #2 LLC, and approved an increase in annexation fees. Additionally, approval was granted to purchase new structural firefighting PPE for the Fire Department and to write off uncollectable personal property tax bills.

The meeting included the swearing in of newly elected officials, Alderman Terry Crump (Post 1) and Alderman Chris Hardin (Post 2). Key agenda items involved the public hearing and approval of the proposed FY2026 Budget. Old Business included requests for approval of budget increases for Keep Chatsworth Murray Beautiful (from $30,000 to $33,000) and the Chatsworth-Murray County Library (from $30,000 to $34,934.72), as well as a request to amend the alcohol ordinance regarding eligibility for distilled spirits pouring licenses. New Business items covered the approval of the overall FY2026 City Budget, approval of the 2026 FLOST Intergovernmental Agreement with Murray County and the City of Eton, the appointment of the City Attorney, auditors, and department supervisors for 2026. Additionally, there was a presentation regarding an amendment to the City of Chatsworth's Code of Ordinances concerning Fireworks regulations (Senate Bill 417), renewal of 2026 beverage licenses, appointment of Rhett Griffin to the Waterworks Commission Board, and several sole-source and subscription purchases for the Police and Fire Departments using National Opioid and SPLOST Funds.

The meeting commenced with the swearing in of newly elected officials, Alderman Terry Crump Post 1 and Alderman Chris Hardin Post 2. The council approved the agenda for the evening's public hearing regarding the proposed FY2026 Budget and the regular session agenda. Old business included requests for budget increases for Keep Chatsworth Murray Beautiful and the Chatsworth-Murray County Library, both of which were not approved, as well as a request to amend the alcohol ordinance regarding pouring licenses, which was also not approved. Key new business items involved the approval of the City of Chatsworth's proposed FY2026 Budget, approval of the 2026 FLOST Intergovernmental Agreement with Murray County Government, and the appointment of various officials for 2026, including the City Attorney, auditors, and Department Supervisors. There was also a presentation regarding an amendment to the City of Chatsworth's Code of Ordinances concerning Fireworks regulations due to Senate Bill 417. Approvals were granted for the renewal of malt beverages, wine, and liquor licenses, the appointment of Rhett Griffin to the Waterworks Commission Board, the purchase of defibrillators for the Police Department using National Opioid Funds, and the purchase of software subscriptions for both the Fire Department (using SPLOST Funds) and the Police Department (using SPLOST Funds and General Fund for renewal).

The meeting included a presentation of a proclamation recognizing January as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, and approval was granted. The Chatsworth Waterworks proposed FY2026 budget was approved. The purchase of (100) -96 gallon trash receptacles from Toter was approved using SPLOST Funds. The proposed FY2026 Budget for Keep Chatsworth Murray Beautiful was tabled for review of city finances, as was the proposed FY2026 Budget for Chatsworth-Murray County Library. A SPLOST project to repair concrete in front of the Chatsworth Fire Department was approved. The purchase of healthy snack items for the City of Chatsworth's Employee Appreciation Day, funded by the 2025 Health & Wellness Grant, was approved. Greg Baker requested to address Mayor and Council regarding a liquor license for Tonya's Tavern, and Houi Myers requested to address Mayor and Council regarding a proposed landscaping project to existing beds around the 200 E Market Street building; these matters were discussed during a work session and will be reviewed further.