Of  Minutes Cityof Baldwin Special Called Meeting June 23rd, 2023  GEORGIA  Baldwin Courtroom, 155 Willingham. Avenue, Baldwin, GA, 30511  Acting Mayor Alice Venter, Council Member Larry Lewallen, Council Member Theron Ayers, Council Member Stephanie Almagno, and Council Member Maarten Venter were  all in attendance. Call Meeting to Order Public Hearing FY24 Budget  Acting. MayorAlice Venter called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.  Acting MayorAlice Venter opened the public hearing at 6:37P pm. Acting Mayor Venter read the 2023 State oft the City Address read by former Mayor. Joe Elam in January, recapping all oft the City's accomplishments from the previous year. Venter stated for possible concerned citizens that property taxes are only used to pay for 25% of Baldwin's $3.6 million operating budget, and that CAO Emily Woodmaster recapped the process of creating this budget with department heads to ensure adequate staffing, sufficient resources and training, and all necessary equipment for Baldwin staff to do their job. All department heads were intentional with their budgets, in terms of what works, what doesn't Council Member Stephanie Almagno addressed the CAO contract, stating that shel had received messages from concerned residents. In her time on Council, there has not been a general fund wage study conducted. Almagno stated that it was time to do the right thing, and that if Council wants Baldwin to be a desirable place to work that easily recruits and retains its employees, it starts with appropriate pay that correlates with the work and responsibility. Acting Mayor Venter summarized the results oft the preliminary wage study for CAO, City Clerk, Finance Director, and Head of Human Resources. The criteria for the cities included in the study were similar population, number of employees, a budget between $5 million and $20 million, and services provided. Forthe CAO position alone without benefits or otherincentives, it was found that the average minimum salary was $85,000, the midpoint $106,250, and the maximum $130,000. Woodmaster currently receives $65,000 salary fort the City Clerk position, while doing the work of all four of the above positions. The proposed new salary for the CAO position is $104,000, a 60% increase in salary. This significant increase is due to Woodmaster declining pay increases for the past three years to ensure all other employees were appropriately paid first.  Baldwin'senterprise fund offsets property taxes.  work, and what they could do without.  Special Called Meeting Minutes  June 23rd, ,2023  Page I1    In Favor: Tom Whitney of 189 Crooked Pine Trail stated that he supported the CAO contract, with it being in alignment with other municipalities, and that it  was a good thing for Baldwin. In Opposition: None.  Acting MayorAlice Venter closed the public hearing at 7:271 pm.  City. Attorney Bubba Samuels recommended giving citizens another opportunity to voice their opinions on the budget at Monday's regularly scheduled meeting, and then holding another special-called meeting on June 30th to vote to approve  and adopt the budget.  Old. Business New. Business Executive Session Amnouncements  a. The Piedmont Library System Pop Upl Rolling Library will be set up at the Baldwin Farmers' Market from 11 am - 12:00 pm every Friday through the end of July. We encourage all our residents to come and check out or return books. This is available to anyone with a PINES library card. Cards can be issued on site for those that do not currently have one. Additionally, those attending the Pop Up Rolling Library with children will receive food bags courtesy oft the Food Bank of b. Thel Baldwin City "Pit"nici is next Saturday, July 1st starting at 5:00 pm. We invite our residents to join us at thel Farmers' Market for a free cookout to show our appreciation. Bringyour picnic blankets and lawn chairs and make sure you stay  Northeast Georgia.  for thei fireworks finale!  Adjournment  Action:Ar motion was made by Theron Ayers to adjourn the meeting  by Maarten Venter. Motion Carried 4-0 at 7:29 pm.  g  LA  Emily Woodmaster, CAO  - ONITE GP  Council    MMklE  SEAL) huame by  Special Called Meeting Minutes June 23-d, ,2023  Page I: 2