The Milledgeville City Council met Tuesday to vote on ordinances regarding fees being raised for water and sewer and alcohol licenses.
The meeting opened with three public comments from homeowner Mike Thomas, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member Matt Roessing, and business owner Benjamin Cook.
Thomas came before the board to ask them to reconsider home development on North Jefferson Street and Dunlap Drive. He spoke of the high traffic volume in the area and noted how busy the neighborhood already is without further development. He fears that more development, traffic, and people in the area could be too much.
Roessing and Cook approached council to ask for reconsideration on fee hikes.
Roessing referred to the law asking the council for proof of why alcohol license fees need to be raised. He also expressed concerns over equity and communication regarding the water and sewer fees. He stated he was concerned about people who may have ordered pipes before hearing about the fee changes and how that may affect development for them and also raised questions about the equity of the use of water versus meter size. Look, one of three business partners who own The Reel Grill, also expressed concerns for the water and sewer fee increase, informing the council that it’s a “difficult time in the industry and business” and recounted how his businesses over the years have survived many difficult events but this is the first to worry him.
Following these speakers, Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System Life and Health Member Support Field Representative Dagmar Wuertzen and Georgia Municipal Association Risk Management and Employee Benefits Services Field Services Representative Randy Briskin approached council to each present a short overview of their health insurance and risk management emergency and employee benefits.
According to Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan, the city is considering changing how health insurance and retirement is offered to city employees. To listen to the full presentation, go to the MBCTV4 YouTube channel and watch from 19:32-45:24. Wuertzen will return in October to speak directly to employees about health insurance.
Moving into board matters, the council voted on an ordinance setting alcohol license fees and conditions for specific businesses and an ordinance setting charges for sewer services, water services, water and sewer tapping and connection fees and other related fees and deposits. The ordinance that set fees for permits and inspections was removed from the agenda at the beginning of the meeting to be voted on when council has more information.
According to City Manager Hank Griffeth, the alcohol license fees were set by comparing Milledgeville to other college towns and cities.
Council went into discussion of potentially striking portions of the ordinance, after a motion by Councilmember Walter Reynolds, but ultimately no vote was made on the ordinance. At the request of council member Denese Shinholster, the ordinance was tabled so the council may have time to review the amendments proposed by Reynolds. The ordinance will likely be voted on in a called meeting or at the next council meeting.
The ordinance regarding water and sewer fees was unanimously passed by council without discussion. According to Griffeth, the fees have been under discussion for about two years and were set by Turnipseed Engineering.
Fees will be issued over three years starting in January of 2025.
“They (the fees) are absolutely necessary for the water and sewer bond issuance,” said Griffeth. “They will be specifically used for water and sewer infrastructure and improvements. More specifically, they will be used for the renovations of the water treatment plant and the capital improvement plans for water delivery infrastructure.”
The meeting closed with council voting to allow the withdrawal of an ordinance to allow special use of 2345 N. Columbia St. for a Circle K convenience store and gas station without prejudice. This withdrawal was originally requested via email in March, but due to changes in leadership in planning and zoning, was not able to be reviewed by council until this meeting.
The next city council meeting will be Sept. 10 at 5:30 p.m.