>> CITY OF MILLEDGEVILLE
Raises for police, firefighters also considered
The Milledgeville City Council met on Nov. 22 to approve several resolutions and prompt discussion of a potential new project that would be proposed to 2023 Georgia Department of Community Affairs Community Development Block Grant.
The meeting began with the unanimous approval of an ordinance to levy and assess taxes for the support of the mayor and aldermen of the City of Milledgeville for the 2022 tax year and to provide for the collection of same.
According to Mayor Parham-Copelan, the new 2022 tax bill will be due Jan. 23.
Then, city council listened to the first reading of an ordinance to amend the 2022-23 Fiscal Year budget.
This ordinance may add an additional $2,000 in salary to each certified law enforcement officer and certified firefighter. It will be discussed and considered during the next city council meeting on Dec. 13.
The council also unanimously approved a resolution to authorize a revolving loan fund of $225,000 for 111 North Wayne Street LLC for the demolition of a non-historic section of the building on that street. The torn down area will be reconstructed to become an outdoor dining corridor that connects a new restaurant and rental space for a retail store.
The meeting moved into discussion as the council listened to a resolution to authorize an agreement with Allen-Smith Consulting to help identify a project and target area for a 2023 Georgia Department of Community Affairs Community Development Block Grant, to apply for the grant, and to administer the grant if awarded.
According to City Manager Hank Griffeth, the target area potentially being surveyed is Milledgeville Estates.
“It’s a mobile home park that I believe was originally called Finnigan’s Branch when it was developed,” said Griffeth. “One impact this grant would have is allowing us to take control of the water system there that is currently privately owned. We would be able to prevent the city from losing thousands of gallons of water through proper repairs.”
District 3 council member Denese R. Shinholster expressed concerns that the proposed area and its project would not be a priority to the grant funders. Griffeth admitted that there was a difficulty in locating an area that would fit the grant requirements and that the only location out of their options that felt the most promising was Milledgeville Estates.
“My concern is that what you’re proposing is focused solely on water and sewer. The grant is very narrow and competitive so we need something multidimensional,” said Shinholster.
According to Griffeth,, there is nothing currently documented that is stormwater related that could be applied for the grant. Shinholster then proposed looking into homeowner and home rehabilitation whichGriffeth, said had not been looked at yet.
“Homeowner and home rehabilitation is a need in our city in several areas and I’m just thinking about what will make the most impact,” said Shinholster.
Moving forward, Griffeth stated that they will look into homeowner and home rehabilitation for a potential area instead and will continue to look into the water system related to the area of Milledgeville Estates.
With some more discussion of what they specifically would like looked into, the council did approve the resolution.