City of White Georgia City Council Meeting January 6, 2025 Present at the council meeting were Mayor Curtis Powell, Councilmembers Gary Crisp, Stephanie Nichelson, Karissa Noland, and Jean Swank, City Clerk Robin Cochran, and City Attorney Brandon Bowen. Mayor Powell called the meeting to order at 7:00pm and led with the pledge of allegiance. Councilmember Nichelson followed with the invocation. Mayor Powell started with the review and approval of the agenda for the meeting and recommended removing the zoning ordinance from the agenda and postponing the topic to March's meeting as he was waiting on the NWGA Regional Commission to update the zoning map and opened the floor for council discussion. Councilmember Swank made a motion to move the proposed zoning ordinance to the March meeting. Councilmember Nichelson seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell moved to the approval of December 2, 2024, minutes and opened the floor for council discussion. No discussion and councilmember Nichelson made a motion to approve the minutes. Councilmember Crisp seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell moved to public comments. Citizen Eddie Billue approached the council to speak on Code Enforcement and questioned the legality of the position as department heads are supposed to be approved and voted on by the council. Mayor Powell reminded him that the Code Enforcement Officer was not a department head, but an extension of the Administrative Department and he reported to Mr. Powell himself and the Administrative Department Head, Robin Cochran. City Clerk Robin Cochran addressed the council to give updates on city business and began by asking if everyone in the room had signed up to receive Code Red New alerts from the city reminding the room of the benefits of receiving these alerts. Cochran moved on to ask the council to approve the city holidays for the year 2025. Mayor Powell asked for a motion. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to approve. Councilmember Noland seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Cochran gave an update on the audits. She continued by asking the council to approve the quote of $1450.00 from Rottweiler to get the cable run for an outdoor camera. Mayor Powell opened the floor for council discussion. Councilmember Crisp questioned what the price included. Mayor Powell gave details on what was involved in this replacement. Powell asked for a motion. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to approve the repair at the quoted price. Councilmember Swank seconded the motion. Cochran promised to bring back before council if any additional work needed. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Cochran continued with the maturing of 2 CD's and stated that Southern State's Bank gave options for 8 months at 4.3% or 13 months at 3.9%. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to accept the 8 month CD rate at 4.3%. Councilmember Noland seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Cochran moved to the budget amendments ensuring each councilmember had an opportunity to look it over. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to approve the amendments to the 2024 budget. Councilmember Swank seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Assistant Chief of Police Brad Loyd approached the council and gave the statistics from the Police Department for 2024. Mayor Powell moved to the 2025 budget and opened the floor for council discussion. No discussion and he asked for a motion. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to approve the 2025 budget. Councilmember Swank seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell moved to the tree removal (1) at 75 Richards Rd., (1) at 17 Clubhouse Dr., and (1) on Old lennessee Hwy. Powell stated that Wood's Tree Service quoted $2600 to cut all three of these trees down and haul them off. The other tree services, Shawn Chastain reached out to did not get their quotes in before the meeting. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to accept Wood's Tree Service's quote for all three trees. Councilmember Swank seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell took nominations for Mayor Pro-Tem for 2025 . Councilmember Swank nominated councilmember Nichelson for Mayor Pro-Tem. Councilmember Noland seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell moved to employee raises and recommended the budgeted 3% raise. Councilmember Crisp suggested our starting pay higher for new employees. There was some chatter amongst the council and Mayor Powell asked for a motion to table the starting pay until February's meeting to allow time to research the surrounding municipalities. Councilmember Swank made a motion to approve the 3% raise for all employees and to add an agenda item to next month's meeting to discuss new hire wages. Councilmember Crisp seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell moved to the resolution to approve the Election Superintendent for 2025 nominating City Clerk, Robin Cochran. Mayor Powell asked for a motion. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to make Robin Cochran the Election Superintendent for 2025. Councilmember Noland seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell moved to the discussion of the 2025 Qualifying Fees and asked Robin Cochran to speak on the matter. Cochran stated the qualifying fees would be $42.75 with the qualifying dates of Monday, August 18, 2025 - Wednesday, August 20, 2025, from 9a-4p. Cochran asked for a motion regarding the qualifying fees and the qualifying dates. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to approve. Councilmember Noland seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell asked for a motion regarding a resolution to provide First Responders PTSD insurance as mandated by state law. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to adopt the resolution. Councilmember Swank seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell opened the floor for council discussion. Councilmember Swank stated that she would no longer be holding her Senior events at City Hall due to lack of turnout. Mayor Powell asked for a motion for adjournment. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Crisp seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:25pm. Respectfully submitted, aln Cochicn Robin Cochran City Clerk MEab Rel Curtis Powell, Mayor