City Council

City of Bowdon Mayor and Council Meeting/Public Hearing Monday, June 10, 2024 7:00PM Mayor and Council Chambers, 182 Grammar School Road I.- VI. Agenda Items: The Mayor and City Council met for a regular meeting and Public Hearing on Monday, June 10th, 2024. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Randy Saxon at 7:00PM. The invocation was led by Councilmember Wes McEntyre and was followed with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members present: Mayor Randy Saxon Councilmember Jan Johnson Councilmember Wes McEntyre Councilmember Bobby Elliott Mayor Pro-tem Marty Johnson Staff present: Police Chief Mark Brock Main Street Director Jan Gibbs Interim City Manager Jim Triplett Absent: City Clerk Susan Pierce (vacation) The minutes from May 13, 2024 meeting were approved with no objections. The agenda was approved with no objections. VII. PUBLIC HEARING A. FY 2025 Budget – Interim City Manager Jim Triplett presented the FY 2025 Budget. He thanked all of the Department Heads for their help in completing the budget process. General Fund - $2,857,724 which is an increase of $390,693, or 16% over FY 2024. Revenue increases include property tax, LOST, occupational tax, insurance premium tax, sanitation, and recreation/gymnastics. This budget assumes a current millage rate of 6.86 mils and proposes a $30,810 fund balance allocation. Expenditures include an assumed 10% increase in group health insurance premiums, increase in liability insurance, telecommunications, electricity, and natural gas. We are adding a public works/streets employee and have converted 2 recreation department employees from part time to full time to cover the Athletic Coordinator position. We are also making repairs at Copeland Hall and increasing the starting salary for police officers by $2.00 per hour to recruit and retain personnel. Water Fund - $1,940,289 which is an increase of $186,541 or 11% over FY 2024. No user fee rate adjustment at this time, but the city will need to look at raising rates in the next year or so. Georgia Rural Water Association has been contracted to conduct a rate study; results should be available by the end of the calendar year. Expenditures are the same on utilities as the General Fund. We are doubling Repairs & Maintenance in the Wastewater Treatment Plant budget to make necessary repairs. Water Treatment Plant has also been increased in Repairs & Maintenance and Chemicals. Final consideration will be at the called meeting next Monday night, June 17, 2024, at 7:00PM. B. Alcohol License – Little Mexico Restaurant – no issues. C. Approval of Alcohol License for Little Mexico Restaurant Motion by Councilmember McEntyre to approve the alcohol license for Little Mexico Restaurant as presented; second by Mayor Pro-tem Marty Johnson; motion carried unanimously.  City of Bowdon Mayor & Council Meeting Minutes June 10, 2024 VIII. Public Comments None. IX. Business Session A. Scarlett Place Subdivision – Mr. Triplett introduced Mr. Satpal Rathie, owner of the 13 undeveloped lots at Scarlett Place Subdivision. Mr. Rathie has requested that the city formally accept the streets and associated assets of the subdivision. City staff has reviewed the condition of the streets. Mr. Rathie is proposing to pay the city $50,000 in lieu of a maintenance bond. Motion by Councilmember Elliott to approve the acceptance of the streets in Scarlett Place Subdivision as presented; second by Mayor Pro-tem Marty Johnson; motion carried unanimously. B. Mayor’s Reports – Thanks to all who participated in the clean up day on Saturday. AT&T is working on moving the poles to get ready for the sidewalk improvements. Mr. Triplett said we would pay for the sidewalks from SPLOST and use LMIG funds for a culvert replacement and repaving project on Eason Street. C. City Manager Reports – Mr. Triplett said he had passed out the summary financial statement report. Our accountant is supposed to be getting information to the auditor so that we can get the FY 2023 Audit. We will be considering going in another direction for accounting services if no substantial improvement has been made in the next two weeks. Councilmember Jan Johnson asked about the amount appropriated for Watts Park. Jan Gibbs said she would research. Mayor Saxon also said we had talked about naming the tower at City Hall after late City Manager Gary Bullock. Motion by Councilmember Jan Johnson to name the tower at City Hall “Bullock Tower”; second by Councilmember McEntyre; motion carried unanimously. D. Department Reports - no questions. X. Financial Session A. Property Tax Unpaid Balance Summary – no questions. B. May Financial Reports – no questions. C. Cash Balances as of 06/03/2024 – no questions. Motion by Councilmember Jan Johnson to enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel; second by Mayor Pro- tem Marty Johnson; motion carried unanimously. XI. Executive Session Motion by Councilmember McEntyre to exit Executive Session; second by Councilmember Jan Johnson; motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilmember McEntyre to adjourn the meeting; second by Councilmember Jan Johnson; motion carried unanimously. X. Adjournment _________________________ ________________________ Mayor Randy Saxon City Clerk Susan Pierce