The Milledgeville City Council met April 23 and discussed the final budget proposals from Main Street, the building department and public works.
The meeting opened with Mayor Pro Tempore Denese Shinholster explaining that Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan was virtually sitting in on this meeting. The mayor has been on leave due to an on-going health issue.
The floor was then open to public comments. Morgan Scott spoke on behalf of the Supporting Health Initiatives and Nurturing Equity (SHINE) program. The SHINE program helps create safe and accessible ways to increase physical activity, especially in rural areas. Scott stated that SHINE’s first quickfield project called Health in the Heights on April 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This project will demonstrate what it will be like if Milledgeville had a pedestrian crosswalk and bicycle lane in Oconee Heights. There will be vendors, kid activities, zumba, health screenings and other resources.
Shinholster then read the National Day of Prayer Proclamation given to Peggy Pulliam and Robin Yeager. The proclamation discussed the history of prayer with the founding fathers and the continuing importance of prayer to many Americans still today. This proclamation states May 2 will be the National Day of Prayer this year.
Three budget proposals were presented to the council, starting with Milledgeville Main Street.
Milledgeville Main Street’s Carlee Schulte discussed the importance of Main Street to Milledgeville’s economy, going into detail about the successes of the First Friday events, the Junior Board of Directors Program, which leads 16 juniors from the four high schools in Milledgeville, Burger Week, Christmas in July, et cetera. Overall, Schulte asked the council for a $10,000 increase to expand their budget but also due to the “rising cost of doing business.”
The next budget was presented by Scott Johnson from the building department. Johnson discussed the addition of a building inspector and how additional training will be needed with its associated added cost. Johnson then asked for additional money due to the need for various things, such as new building code books and a new plotter printer, due to their current one breaking. The building department has not received new building code books since 2018 and with limited space, the new plotter will allow for more electronic files.
The final budget was presented by Director of Public Works Timothy Thomas. Thomas explained how public works has been able to benefit with the money from the previous year’s budget. Since the budget increase for public works last year, they have been able to hire many new additions. In their new budget proposal, they are asking for additional money to increase salaries to make it more competitive.
Thomas also requested a new grinder, which cost upwards to a million dollars. Other various vehicles and equipment were also asked for to benefit different sections within public works. Additional funds also were requested to provide a pay incentive for different certifications, training for an asset management system and the developing of a master system for infrastructure upgrade.
City Manager Hank Griffeth handed out the first draft of the budget to the council members present, which will be discussed in a called budget proposal work session meeting next Tuesday, April 30. He then discussed with the council that the first 30 minutes of that called work session will consist of a joint meeting with the county.
Griffeth then discussed a contract agreement with Roberts Roofing to reroof six buildings at the Wastewater Treatment Plant located at 211 Highview Road. These roofs did not pass during the last inspection of the facility. The council unanimously agreed in favor of the resolution to sign the agreement.
The last thing discussed in the meeting was an alcohol application for Depak Kunar on behalf of Metropolis Cafe. This license is for their new location at 111 N. Wayne St., which is expected to open early May. This application was unanimously agreed upon by the council.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for May 14 at 5:30 p.m.