City of White Georgia City Council Meeting March 3, 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 adding Alex Walcott, the auditor, to report and announcements section speaking first and opened the floor for council discussion. Councilmember Swank made a motion to approve the addition. Councilmember Crisp seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell moved to the approval of February 3rd, 2025, minutes and opened the floor for council discussion. No discussion and councilmember Nichelson made a motion to approve the minutes. Councilmember Swank seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell moved to public comments. None were given and he moved on. Auditor Alex Walcott gave an audit update saying the audits were completed for years 2020-2023 and the city was officially caught up and in compliance. Walcott continued by stating she will do the 2024 audit, and they were waiting for information not available until May 2025. Mayor Powell stated that after speaking with Jackie Newbert, the city complied as far as reports go, but the city was still going to be ineligible because Walcott's firm was not able to produce an opinion and asked Walcott to elaborate. Walcott explained how the auditing process goes saying it was materialistically correct, but there was substantial information missing from each year, but felt confident in the 2024 audit. Walcott also stated she would talk with Jackie and provide more clarification and see if there was an alternative. City Clerk Robin Cochran addressed the council to give a city hall update. Cochran presented the following items: (1) Cochran and the Deputy Clerk, Brianna Shuping, collected enough sponsor money to provide the kids' zone completely free with all its amenities. (2) Cochran updated the council on four missing picnic tables and asked the council to spend Park and Recreation SPLOST money to purchase 4 more tables before the festival. ($166.00 apiece) Mayor Powell asked how much money is available in the Parks and Recreation SPLOST. ($3,000.00). Councilmember Nichelson asked if the council could vote to approve it but to hold off for a couple of weeks and see if she can get some tables donated. Cochran agreed to this idea. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to approve the purchase of four new tables at $166.00/piece, up to $800.00 if she cannot get some donated. Councilmember Swank seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Assistant Chief of Police, Brad Loyd addressed the council and said everything was good within the department. Public Works Superintendent, Shawn Chastain addressed the council with his monthly update. Chastain began with the trash route, suggesting moving all trash routes to the Wednesday route (currently split between Tuesday and Wednesday). Chastain said for this to begin in April to give citizens enough notice of the schedule change. There was some chatter amongst the council and Chastain regarding the time frame of the new route and the actuality of the new route if something like a water leak takes place while his department is collecting trash. Mayor Powell moved to unfinished business starting with the zoning ordinance stating that the latest version was published. Citizen Dalton Smith approached the council. Smith voiced his concerns regarding setbacks and fence inclusion. There was chatter amongst the council and Smith. Powell stated that Ethan Calhoun wants to set up a meeting with Bartow County to get some questions answered. There was more chatter amongst the council. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to table the zoning until April's meeting. Councilmember Noland seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell moved to the starting salaries for city employees. Powell presented the council with a chart and went over the details with everyone and opened the floor for council discussion. There was some chatter amongst the council. Powell stated the city is not too far off from Bartow County's starting salaries. There was more chatter about the budget amongst the council. Councilmember Swank made a motion to accept the position grade analysis for this year. Councilmember Nichelson seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell moved to new business starting with the nomination of the new Police Chief nominating Greg Webb. Councilmember Crisp tried nominating assistant Chief of Police, Brad Loyd for Police Chief and was reminded that only the mayor is allowed to nominate department heads. There was some chatter from the audience challenging Powell's nomination decision. Councilmember Swank spoke up on Webb's behalf talking up his values stating he'd be an asset to the city. There was some chatter amongst the council and the citizens. Councilmember Nichelson wanted to explain herself for voting no for Webb as Chief, she said that as she respected Webb and his career history, her main concern was that Brad Loyd had already been a working officer for some time and had a good relationship with all the citizens and he knows the town. She'd like to promote from within. Councilmember Crisp stated that he agreed with councilmember Nichelson and goes on to express his gratitude to Loyd and his department boasting on their accomplishments over the past couple of years. Powell stated he agreed with that, but his job is to recommend the person who he believes to be the best fit for the position and reminded the council that it's their responsibility as a body to make the best decision for the city and stated again that his nomination was Greg Webb for Police Chief. There was some chatter amongst the council and crowd. Mayor Powell nominated Greg Webb for Chief of Police. A vote was taken, 2-3 with councilmembers Nichelson, Crisp, and Noland voting against. Powell turned to the city attorney Brandon Bowen for guidance. Bowen stated that Powell needed to make another motion or another nomination. Councilmember Crisp nominated Brad Loyd as Chief. Bowen reminded Crisp that the nomination had to come from the mayor. There was some chatter amongst the council about tabling until April's meeting. Mayor Powell nominated Brad Loyd as Chief of Police as he didn't want to drag this out. A vote was taken, 3-2 with Mayor Powell and Councilmember Swank voting against it. Mayor Powell moved to the utility billing system to replace the current provider (Harris). The fees to change over are - $12,500.00 with a support fee of $400.00 to billed quarterly. Powell continues to boast about all the positive changes the new billing software will provide for administrative staff and for the Public Works Department. There was some chatter amongst the council. Powell continued by stating that the plan was to begin changing software one module at a time. Powell suggested either using money out of the 2020 SPLOST funds or water/sewer operational funds. There was chatter amongst the council about the current software and about whether that would breach the current agreement. There was more chatter amongst the council. Councilmember Swank made a motion to approve using the 2020 SPLOST to pay the initial $12,500.00 and using the water/sewer operational funds for the $400.00/quarterly. Councilmember Nichelson seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell moved to mayor and council comments. None were heard and Powell closed this section of the meeting and asked if an executive session was needed. It was not and Powell asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Swank seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:58pm. Respectfully submitted, aimlochian Robin Cochran City Clerk Attes? Curtis Powell, Mayor