CITY OF HAHIRA
COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 7, 2008
7:30 P.M.
COURTHOUSE
PRESENT: Mayor Wayne Bullard, Councils: Mayor Pro Tem Adams, Terry
Benjamin, Ralph Clendenin, Bruce Cain, City Manager Jonathan Sumner, Police
Chief Terry Davis, Fire Chief Dwight Bennett, Director Donnie Warren, City
Attorney Rob Plumb, Interim City Clerk Belinda Chappell.
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Wayne Bullard
ESTABLISH QUORUM: Mayor Wayne Bullard
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Wayne Bullard
INVOCATION: City Manager Jonathan Sumner
REVIEW/CORRECTION OF MINUTES:
June 30, 2008 Work Session
July 3, 2008 Council Meeting
July 31, 2008 First Millage Rate Public Hearing
July 31, 2008 Second Millage Rate Public Hearing
Mayor Wayne Bullard asked for a motion to accept the minutes. Mayor Pro
Tem Adams made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Councilman Ralph
Clendenin, vote was unanimous.
REVIEW OF BILLS/BUDGET OVERAGES:
Mayor Bullard asked if there were any questions concerning the bills. Mayor
Pro Tem Adams stated that she had questions concerning the bills, Adams stated
the Finance Clerk answered any questions she had.
Mayor Bullard asked for a motion to accept the bills. Councilman Cain made
a motion to accept the bills, seconded by Councilman Terry Benjamin, vote was
unanimous.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Third Public Hearing to Set Millage Rate (City Manager)
City Manager Jonathan Sumner stated to Mayor and Council a break down tax
sheet that explained the current millage rate at 0.00538 on homes with and
without homestead exemption and the proposed millage rate increase of 0.00588 on
homes with and without homestead exemption. Sumner stated State Laws require the
advertisement of the Public Hearing. Sumner also stated the three Public
Hearings were advertised in the Valdosta Daily Times. Sumner stated the first
two Public Hearings were held on July 31, 2008 at 11:30 A.M. and 6:30 P.M. at
City Hall and this was the third Public Hearing. City Manager Sumner stated the
differences Hahira citizens would expect to pay, between the current millage
rate and the proposed millage rate increase. Sumner stated the reason for the
proposed millage increase was associated with the rising cost of the economy
which had an effect on the budget. Sumner stated that with the proposed millage
increase it would bring an additional $20,000 dollars into the budget, without
the increase in millage, the budget would have to be cut in certain areas.
Councilman Clendenin stated that he was concerned with what the tax digest
was for the City. City Manager Sumner stated that the proposed tax digest growth
for 2007 and 2008 is approximately $80 million dollars. Sumner stated that if
the millage rate holds constant, the tax digest received would be approximately
$263 thousand dollars.
Mayor Bullard asked if there was anyone wishing to speak against the millage
rate increase.
Eldon Moore residing at 403 E. Stanfill Street Hahira, 31632. Mr. Moore came
to address the Mayor and Council regarding the millage rate increase. He stated
he was concerned with what the City was going to do in future years when the
housing market comes to a minimum. City Manager Sumner responded that the growth
digest was the growth in the appraised value of real estate, not just the new
homes but the older homes as well. Mr. Moore stated he was concerned with what
the City was going to do about lowering the budget. City Manager Sumner
responded that measures had been taken to decrease the budget by suspending all
large capital expenditures as well as eliminating unfilled positions in certain
departments. Mr. Moore also asked what the City was doing about cutting back on
the gas usage for departments. Fire Chief Bennett responded that the Fire
Department was testing a bio-diesel program and the department was saving over a
dollar a gallon, trying to take every measure possible to conserve money for the
City.
Lee Isaacson residing at 1038 Stanfill Street Hahira 31632. Mrs. Isaacson
came to address the Mayor and Council regarding the millage rate increase. She
stated she was concerned with the increase in gas prices and the economy rising,
that she could not afford a tax increase. She stated she was concerned with who
was getting a pay increase if the millage rate was raised, that the Hahira
citizens needed a break. She stated that something else could be cut rather than
raising the taxes of the citizens.
Mayor Bullard asked if there was anyone wishing to speak in favor of raising
the millage rate.
Wilmon Stanley residing at 308 S. Washington Street, Hahira 31632. Mr.
Stanley came to address the Mayor and Council on the millage rate increase. Mr.
Stanley stated with the increase of the population in Hahira and the number of
houses being built, if the citizens wished to continue the services being
provided, he was in favor of raising the millage rate. He stated this was a
small increase that the citizens would be paying for the services that the City
of Hahira was providing.
Gary Rake residing at Redbird Place Hahira 31632. Mr. Rake came to address
the Mayor and Council regarding the millage rate increase. Mr. Rake stated he
had lived in Hahira for two years and felt that his family was in good hands. He
stated the proposed millage rate was a small increase and the City of Hahira was
a great City and felt that the services that are provided are excellent. He
stated he was willing to pay a small price to continue the services he was being
provided.
Karen Camion residing at 405 W. Stanfill Street Hahira 31632. Ms. Camion
addressed Mayor and Council that she was concerned with when the last time the
taxes was raised in the City of Hahira. Mayor Bullard stated that the City has
lowered taxes more than they have increased them. She stated that with the
increase in the economy, the cost of living has increased for households as well
as trying to run a City and that she is in favor of increasing the millage rate.
Mike Bryant residing at 405 W. Stanfill Street Hahira 31632. Mr. Bryant
addressed Mayor and Council regarding the millage rate increase. He stated that
Hahira citizens had been fortunate in the past regarding the increase in millage
rate. Mr. Bryant stated that cities around Hahira was increasing taxes
constantly in order to maintain the services that were provided. He stated that
the City of Hahira had some excellent employees, and they were the lowest paid
employees in comparison to surrounding cities. Mr. Bryant stated he was in favor
of raising the millage rate to continue receiving the services that have been
provided to him.
Freeman Rivers residing at 204 S. Hall Street Hahira 31632. Mr. Rivers
addressed Mayor and Council regarding the millage rate increase. He stated that
if the City had to increase the millage rate due to the growth of the new homes
being built, he thought the increase was worth paying for. He stated if the
increase would help to build the new fire station, he was in favor of raising
the millage rate.
Quida Lane residing at 210 Randall Street Hahira 31632. Mrs. Lane addressed
Mayor and Council on the issue of raising the millage rate. She stated she was
in favor of raising the millage rate. She stated that with the City growing at
the rate it was growing, the millage rate needed to be increased.
Lawanna Benjamin residing at 539 Hall Street Hahira 31632. Mrs. Benjamin
addressed Mayor and Council on the millage rate increase. She stated that the
City needed to increase the millage, the reason being, if she called for help at
her home, she wanted to know that she would receive services that she deserved.
Mrs. Benjamin was in favor of raising the millage rate for Hahira.
City Manager Jonathan Sumner stated to Mayor and Council a copy of the FY2009
draft one budget was prepared and available to citizens at City Hall if they
would like to request a copy.
Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated she had reviewed the draft one budget and she
stated there were areas in the budget that could be cut and still give the
citizens the same services they are receiving from the City. Mayor Pro Tem Adams
was opposed to raising the millage rate.
Councilman Clendenin stated he had spoken to several citizens and they are
opposed to raising the millage rate. He stated there are areas that could be cut
in the budget rather than ask the citizens to pay higher taxes. Councilman
Clendenin was opposed to the millage increase.
Councilman Benjamin stated each year it was getting more difficult knowing
the City was only putting a certain amount of money in the budget for the
departments and expect the department heads to continue to run their departments
the way it should be ran. Councilman Benjamin stated the millage rate was held
constant for the last ten years and has not been raised. He stated with the
economy constantly rising, the proposed millage rate increase was a small price
to pay to continue receiving the services the citizens deserve. He stated he was
in favor of raising the millage rate.
Councilman Cain stated there were areas in the budget that could be cut, he
also stated he did not want to cut services the citizens are receiving just to
keep from raising the millage rate. Councilman Cain stated to be able to keep
the services the Fire Department, the Police Department, as well as, the Public
Works Department he was in favor of raising the millage rate.
Mayor Bullard asked for a motion to accept the millage rate increase.
Councilman Benjamin made a motion to accept the increase as requested,
seconded by Councilman Cain. Mayor Bullard asked for all in favor, Councilman
Benjamin and Councilman Cain were in favor. Mayor Bullard asked for all opposed,
Mayor Pro Tem Adams and Councilman Clendenin were opposed. Mayor Bullard
stated with the economy rising, the last thing he wanted to do was to have the
citizens pay higher taxes. Mayor Bullard stated this was not a high increase in
the millage rate. Mayor Bullard stated that if the millage rate was not
increased, eventually it would have to be raised two mills instead of raising a
half a mill,due to not raising the taxes in the past ten years. Mayor Bullard
stated there were things in the budget that could be cut this year. Mayor
Bullard opposed, motion was defeated, millage rate was set to remain at the
current rate of 0.00538.
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD:
Freeman Rivers residing at 204 S. Hall Street Hahira 31632. Mr. Rivers
addressed Mayor and Council, he was concerned with the recycling issue on Union
Road. Mr. Rivers also stated he was concerned about the Ethics Committee and
when the term of the committee ended. Mayor Bullard responded on the recycling
issue, he stated he had spoken to County Commissioner Edgar Roberts and he was
in the process of setting up a meeting to resolve the issue.
Wilmon Stanley residing at 308 S. Washington Street Hahira 31632. Mr. Stanley
addressed Mayor and Council, he stated he was concerned about the recycling
center on Union Road, that if something wasn’t done to resolve this issue, the
City would have to provide this service to the citizens of Hahira and that would
be of cost to citizens. Mayor Bullard responded that the City would pick up yard
debris for an additional cost of $25 dollars to the citizens.
DISCUSSIONS:
A.) LARP 2008 Priority List (City Manager)
City Manager Jonathan Sumner stated to Mayor and Council the LARP list
was due before the end of the month. Sumner stated there was a new street
that was added to the list to be paved, Stanfill Street from Hagan Bridge to
Highway 122. Councilman Clendenin stated he was concerned on how LARP
prioritizes the street to be paved. Mayor Bullard responded with LARP had a
map of all the streets on the priority list. Mayor Bullard asked for a
motion to accept the LARP list. Councilman Clendenin made a motion to
accept the list, seconded by Councilman Cain, vote was unanimous.
B. – J. (Removed)
K.) Appointment of Members to the Beautification Committee (Mayor Pro Tem
Adams)
Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated to Mayor and Council she had a list of people
to add to the Beautification Committee, these included Nancy Purvis, Tracy
Davis, Rose Adams, Belinda Chappell, Denise Roundtree, and Sandra Warren.
City Manager Sumner asked Mayor Pro Tem Adams if she would consider adding
Emily Grace Newkirk to the Committee. Mayor ProTem Adams responded if Mrs.
Newkirk was willing to serve ,the Committee would be glad to have her.
Councilman Clendenin was concerned if the Committee was strictly volunteers.
Mayor Pro Tem Adams responded the Committee was strictly volunteers. Mayor
Bullard asked for a motion. Councilman Clendenin made a motion to accept
the list of names, seconded by Councilman Benjamin, vote was unanimous.
DEPARTMENT REQUESTS:
FY 2008 Cost of Living Increase for City Employees (City Manager)
City Manager Jonathan Sumner stated to Mayor and Council a prepared
breakdown sheet to explain the Cost of Living Allocation (COLA). Sumner
stated every year there was an option for Mayor and Council to grant a cost
of living increase to employees. Sumner stated sometimes the increase is
more than three percent and sometimes is less than three percent. Sumner
stated the cost of living increase estimate per week was $300 dollars, this
was based on the three percent increase of the net payroll each week, not
the gross payroll. Sumner stated that Mayor Bullard asked for the increase
to be recalculated based on the gross weekly payroll. Sumner stated the
percentage would be greater because it was based on the gross and this
amount would be around $400 dollars weekly, which is a $100 dollar
difference per week. Sumner stated there was money in the budget to satisfy
this cost of living increase to employees. Sumner stated the total amount
budgeted on personnel salaries for this year was $1,043,281 dollars. Sumner
stated that as of July 31, 2008 the amount expended was $529,131.40 dollars.
Sumner stated that if the amount that has been expended so far was divided
on a monthly basis you would arrive at $44,094.28 dollars, this was the
amount the City could expect to pay on a monthly basis for gross payroll.
The three percent COLA calculated on this figure was $1,322.83, this figure
was three percent of the $44,094.28. Sumner stated the total payroll for the
last five months of 2008 would be $227,085.55 if the COLA was approved.
Sumner stated this amount does exist in the 2008 budget. Mayor Pro Tem Adams
stated she was concerned about last August COLA approved increase, would
this increase go through to next August 2009. City Manager Sumner stated
this COLA increase would be for August 2008 through August 2009. Mayor Pro
Tem Adams was concerned if the City had enough money in the budget to
approve this increase. Sumner responded that the City does have the money in
the budget for the COLA increase. Mayor Bullard asked for a motion to
approve the COLA increase. Mayor Pro Tem Adams made a motion, seconded by
Councilman Clendenin, vote was unanimous.
Attendance at Georgia Rural Water Training Conference (Director Warren)
Director Donnie Warren stated to Mayor and Council he would like to
attend the Georgia Rural Water Conference in Helen Georgia. Councilman
Clendenin was concerned with the cost of this training. Director Warren
stated the cost would be around $850 dollars. Mayor Bullard asked for a
motion. Councilman Clendenin made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem
Adams, vote was unanimous.
City Clerk’s / Finance Clerk’s Training in Athens Georgia (City Clerk)
Interim City Clerk Belinda Chappell stated to Mayor and Council her
request to attend the City Clerk/ Finance Clerk training in Athens on
September 14-17, 2008. Chappell stated this would give her the opportunity
to work toward her 100 hours to be a certified City Clerk as well as our
Finance Clerk, Paula Stone will have the opportunity to start obtaining her
hours in the finance training class. Mayor Bullard stated his request to
attend an Ethics class in Athens on these same dates. Mayor Bullard asked
for a motion. Councilman Benjamin made a motion, seconded by Councilman
Cain, vote was unanimous.
City Clerk’s Luncheon August 12, 2008 (City Clerk)
Interim City Clerk Belinda Chappell stated to Mayor and Council her
request to host the Clerk’s Luncheon on August 12, 2008 at 12 P.M. in honor
of Diane Bellflower. Chappell stated Police Chief Davis would be speaking on
the topic of Identity Theft. Mayor Bullard asked for a motion. Councilman
Clendenin made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Adams, vote was
unanimous.
REPORTS:
Councilman Clendenin thanked everyone for attending the meeting, also all
Council members for working hard, he thanked all the department heads and
also thanked Belinda Chappell for a job well done.
Councilman Cain thanked everyone for showing up, he expressed his
disappointment in the outcome of the millage rate increase and as always, he
thanked all the employees for doing a great job.
Councilman Benjamin thanked everyone for attending the meeting, he stated
his disappointment in the millage rate increase outcome and stated it gets
tougher each year to work with the budget that was given. He thanked all the
departments for the hard work they do everyday.
Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated the Courthouse and City Hall needed to be
looked at because of termite damage. She also stated the window blinds
needed to be replaced in certain areas of the City buildings. She also
stated money needed to be spent on the City streets for repair.
City Manager Sumner thanked the Council for the opportunity to serve and
thanked all the department heads for the tremendous job they continue to do
as well as the City staff. He thanked Belinda Chappell for stepping in, with
the passing of Diane Bellflower, and doing a great job. He thanked Paula
Stone for coming into her own position and doing a fine job for the City. He
thanked everyone for everything they have done and expressed that it had
been a pleasure working for the City of Hahira.
Mayor Bullard thanked everyone for showing up in support of the tax
increase. He thanked all the dedicated employees of the City and expressed
his appreciation.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Mayor Bullard asked for a motion to enter into executive session for the
purpose of discussing personnel. Councilman Benjamin made a motion,
seconded by Councilman Cain, vote was unanimous.
Mayor Bullard asked for a motion to come out of executive session and
enter back into the regular meeting. Councilman Benjamin made a motion to
exit executive session and enter back into the regular meeting and authorize
the Mayor and Interim City Clerk to sign the affidavit certifying that the
only thing discussed in executive session was personnel, seconded by
Councilman Cain, vote was unanimous.
Mayor Bullard asked for a motion to adjourn. Mayor Pro Tem Adams made
a motion, seconded by Councilman Clendenin, vote was unanimous.
Meeting was adjourned at 10 P.M.
__________________________
Mayor, Wayne Bullard
__________________________
Interim City Clerk, Belinda Chappell
