The public proposed a change to the Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Operating Budget during the first reading at the May 10 City Council meeting.
Citizen Dianne Lucette came forward and requested that the budget be adapted to include a pay raise for the firefighters.
“They do a tremendous job in Baldwin County,” said Lucette. “I think I can speak for majority of our citizens when I say that they can earn a little bit more money than they do now.”
David Ussery, battalion chief, came forward and spoke about the many advancements that the fire department has made this year. Some of these advancements include requiring every new hire to be EMS certified and current employees are working to receive this certification. In addition, development to both fire stations is also currently underway. Trainees are also taking courses with Fire Chief William Collier to expand their skills and knowledge.
“I’m here today to lean respectfully on our city and to ask you to pass this request from our citizen,” said Ussery to the council. “To continue providing great service to the city, we have to compete against neighboring counties to keep the great firefighters we have today.”
Ussery with other Battalion Chiefs Rodriquez Warren and Ronald Croomes Jr. came forth to discuss a $10,000 pay raise for the Fire Rescue Service. According to Ussery, the department is losing firefighters to neighboring counties because of how low the pay is.
“These firefighters can’t be replaced. Giving them a raise is in our best interest,” said Larry Martin, citizen of Milledgeville. “I implore you (the council) to consider doing right by these men and women.”
The next reading for the budget will occur at the next city council meeting on June 14. At this time, no other proposed adaptations or changes to the budget were requested.
The council hosted another public hearing to consider the rezone of property located at 1340 Caraker Lane. The building on this property is an apartment complex with four different apartments. For the past year, the apartments have been unused and the building has become dilapidated. The property owner is requesting permission to rehabbing the original structure into new homes. Without any opposition to oppose this request, the council unanimously passed the ordinance.
“I look forward to offering housing in the area,” said Gary Jeanty, property owner.
During the beginning of the meeting, the council honored two people and a church for their continuous service to Milledgeville.
Vaugh Chapel Ministry was given an award of recognition for their 149 years of service to Milledgeville.
“Vaugh Chapel Ministry is a trailblazer in service…and truly promoted the motto of live, laugh and love,” Bo Danuser, city clerk, read from the proclamation.
Bo Danuser was recognized for his service as city clerk for Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week. In the proclamation, Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan recognized May 1 through May 7 as Professional Municipal Clerks Week.
“I recognize May 1 through May 7 as Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week and recognize the exemplary duties of our own city clerk, Bo Danuser,” said Mayor Parham-Copelan.
Richard ‘Boo’ Mullins, District 5 councilman, was honored for his service to the city of Milledgeville and his 22 years of dedication to the city council. Mayor Parham-Copelan, proclaimed May 1 as Richard ‘Boo’ Mullins Day in the city of Milledgeville. During the council meeting, a black sheet was also draped in front of his chair to honor his spirit. The sheet will be there to honor him for the remainder of the month.
“Boo Mullins made a positive and impactful contribution to our city,” Danuser read from the proclamation. Mayor Parham-Copelan would conclude the proclamation by stating, “He will be greatly missed and hard to replace.”
The council went through the city address highlighting the achievements of departments across the city. The end of the address concluded with a look ahead for 2022 that will include identifying projects for the use of ARPA allocations, working with the County on Local Options Sales Tax (LOST) negotiations, working to replace playground equipment at Central City Park and finalizing plans to include citizen input during the city council work sessions.
“Our diversity is our strength and I will continue to ensure that our citizens are able to give their input towards the future,” said Mayor Parham-Copelan.
The council addressed new business towards the end of the meeting.
A resolution to consider authorizing the awarding of a loan to fund Coasties Bakery, LLC for the purpose of purchasing a business and building was denied by the council.
A resolution authorizing a contract with Georgia Safe Sidewalks was unanimously passed. This contract will remove potential sidewalk trip and fall hazards throughout the city and bring these hazards into compliance with ADA guidelines.
A resolution to authorize an agreement with C2i Control Instruments, Inc. was unanimously passed. The corporation will provide first steps in designing a citywide water and wastewater master plan for a supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCDA).
A resolution to authorize an agreement with CDW Government Inc. was unanimously passed. This resolution allows the purchase of Toughbook computers for use in the Milledgeville Police Department vehicles.
The last resolution unanimously passed authorized a one-year extension of two ground maintenance service agreements with A Cut Above of Milledgeville, LLC. This extension will ensure the mowing and certain grounds of maintenance services in city parks, on identified right-of-ways and in the city cemeteries.