City Council

City of Bowdon Mayor and Council Meeting/Public Hearing Monday, June 12, 2023 7:00PM Mayor and Council Chambers, 182 Grammar School Road I.-IV. Agenda Items: The Mayor and City Council met for a regular meeting on Monday, June 12th, 2023. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jim Chaffin at 7:00PM. Roll call was conducted by City Clerk Susan Pierce. Members present: Mayor Jim Chaffin Mayor Pro-tem Jan Johnson Councilmember Randy Saxon Councilmember Marty Johnson Staff present: City Manager Gary Bullock City Clerk Susan Pierce Police Chief Mark Brock Absent: Councilmember Wes McEntyre The Invocation was led by Mayor Pro-tem Jan Johnson and was followed with the Pledge of Allegiance. V. Approval of Meeting Agenda Agenda was approved with no objections. VI. Approval of Minutes Minutes of Mayor & Council Meeting on May 8th, 2023 were presented for approval. Minutes of May 8th, 2023 were approved with no objections. VII. Public Hearing • First Reading of FY 2024 Budget • Discussion Mr. Bullock noted that the budget summary had been published in the newspaper. The revenues are a little short, but we have our Operating Reserve which we will use to cover the difference. We hope the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) will continue to increase, to be more than we anticipated. We anticipate $2,467,031 in General Fund revenue, and the same in expenditures. We anticipate $1,753,748 in Water/Sewer Fund revenue, and the same in expenditures. Our Capital Improvement Fund (LMIG) is currently at $77,806; Beautification and Parks is at $31,601, and Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) is at $410,686. Adjustments were made due to decrease in LOST revenue and increase in sanitation expense, which also resulted in a loss of revenue. Mr. Bullock is still working on covering the grass-cutting contract, which may call for a budget amendment. Mayor Pro-tem Johnson asked about cost-of-living raises. Mr. Bullock said those were included.  City of Bowdon Mayor & Council Meeting Minutes June 12, 2023 Mr. Wes Johnson asked about the grant which was awarded to the police department, and if it would impact the budget for the department. Mr. Bullock said that was considered in their budget, and that we would purchase the equipment and apply for reimbursement through the grant. VIII. Public Comments None. IX. Business Session A. Sign at Heritage Park – Mr. Bullock said we would be sure the design complies with our sign ordinance. Motion by Mayor Pro-tem Jan Johnson to approve the presentation of the Heritage Park sign with the recommended revisions to coincide with our sign ordinance and to have it approximately 18 to 24 inches shorter as presented; second by Councilmember Marty Johnson; motion carried unanimously. B. FY 2023 Budget Amendment – Total anticipated revenue increased $36,000 due to LOST increases and increased revenue at the Recreation Department and franchise taxes. Total anticipated expenses increased due to repairs to police vehicles and medical issues with our canine officer. Georgia K-9 Association helped with some of the medical expenses. There was also a slight increase in our current cemetery mowing expense and increased expenses at the Recreation Department due to increased activities. There was no change in Water/Sewer. Motion by Councilmember Marty Johnson to approve the FY 2023 Budget Amendment as presented; second by Councilmember Saxon; motion carried unanimously. C. Water Infrastructure Improvement Loan Application (GEFA) – This application is for $2,180,000 for water infrastructure improvements. Mr. Bullock sent out a map showing the areas affected. This will include replacing some old cast iron lines and installing valves for cut-offs for more efficient repairs and maintenance of lines. The loan will also include $763,000 in loan forgiveness, leaving $1.4 million at 1.7% interest; $2.18 million would be 2.63% with no forgiveness. Motion by Mayor Pro-tem Jan Johnson to approve the Water Infrastructure Improvement Loan Application with GEFA as presented; second by Councilmember Marty Johnson; motion carried unanimously. D. City Manager Reports – We are on schedule for the dedication of a portion of Kent Avenue being renamed Irene Keith Avenue on Saturday July 1. We have to call Rhonda Keith, as well as 911 and the school board. Recreation Department teams are doing very well. We have a pre-bid meeting on the Recreation Complex drainage project on Friday June 23 at 2:00PM at the Recreation Center. We hope to have a bid ready for approval at the August council meeting. E. Department Reports – no questions  City of Bowdon Mayor & Council Meeting Minutes June 12, 2023 X. Financial Session A. Property Tax Unpaid Balance Summary – no questions B. May Financial Reports –no questions C. Cash balances as of 06/02/2023 – no questions Motion by Mayor Pro-tem Jan Johnson to adjourn the council meeting; second by Councilmember Marty Johnson; motion carried unanimously. XI. Adjournment _________________________ ________________________ Mayor Jim Chaffin City Clerk Susan Pierce