Minutes City Council Work Session June 3rd, 2025 6:30pm Baldwin Municipal Courtroom, 155 Willingham Avenue, Baldwin, GA 30511 Mayor Stephanie Almagno, Councilmember Erik Keith, Councilmember Nancy Lehman, Councilmember Kerri Davis, Councilmember Maarten Venter, and Councilmember Alice Venter were all in attendance. Call Meeting to Order Mayor Almagno called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Public Hearing Old Business New Business 1. Y2026 Budget Presentation CAO Emily Woodmaster presented the FY2026 budget for Council's consideration, reviewing changes and reductions that have been made to the General Fund and the Enterprise Fund (see attached draft of budget). The changes have resulted in a reduction in the deficit from $891,614 to $434,582. Mayor Almagno thanked Woodmaster and staff for their work on the budget. Council had no questions or comments regarding the proposed budget. The public hearing will be held at the June 9th council meeting, SO while it was not a legal requirement, Mayor Almagno opened the floor for comments from residents. Joe Elam of 200 Sappling Place addressed Council regarding two items. The first was regarding personal leave expenses and whether it was reallocation or a new benefit for staff. Woodmaster explained that previously, personal leave was included in the regular pay line but has now been put into a separate line for clarity. Elam also stated that he had requested "fund balance statements" and that the City's response was that there were no records. Woodmaster explained that there is no such thing as a "fund balance statement, but a fund balance breakdown can be found in the City's annual financial audit. The breakdown details restricted and unallocatedavallable fund balance. However, because the FY24 audit has not been finalized, the most recent fund balance breakdown is not available. Councilmember Alice Venter asked if it would be possible to make fund balance statements or fund balance information to be available in real time. However, Woodmaster explained that it is not feasible to have an accurate day-to-day fund balance because that number constantly changes with day-to-day expenses. Council had no additional comments regarding the budget and the public hearing will proceed as scheduled on June 9th. 2. FY2026 Appointments Per the City's Charter, the Council must appoint individuals or entities for seven Work Session Minutes June 3rd, 2025 Page 11 positions on an annual basis. The proposed FY2026 appointments are as follows: City Attorney - The Samuels Firm City Auditor - Morris & Waters City Clerk - Erin Gathercoal City Engineer - Fletcher Holliday, Engineering Management, Inc. (EMI) City Judge - Robert Sneed City Solicitor - Teresa DiPonzio, The Samuels Firm Councii must decide amongst themselves regarding the appointment of Mayor Pro Tem to serve in the Mayor's stead if necessary- Council had no concerns regarding the proposed appointments list and was in consensus with a nomination for Alice Venter as Mayor Pro Tem and formal approval of the appointment list at Monday's meeting. 3. New Council Meeting Schedule Ordinance #2025-06164 Per the residents'1 feedback from the budget town hall, Woodmaster presented an amended council meeting schedule for the remainder of calendar year 2025. This new schedule reduces the number of times the council meets from three days per month to one. As there are already items scheduled for the June 26th council meeting, this proposed schedule will not take effect until July 1st. Each month's work session will be held at 6:00 pm on Tuesday of the first full week each month, with the council meeting immediately following. The ordinance will have its first reading at the June 9th meeting and the second reading at the June 26th meeting. Council was in consensus to bring this item forward for a vote at Monday's meeting. Anouncements a. The proposed FY26 budget is available to the public online at www.riyoibaldwin.dwin.org/documents and for pickup at City Hall. The Public Hearing for the FY2026 budget will be held at the June 9th Council Meeting. b. The Banks County Library On the Go will be set up at the TAP Yard at 110 Airport Road from 11 am - 12:00 pm every Friday through the end of July. We encourage all residents to check out or return books. Additionally, those visiting the mobile library with children can receive food bags courtesy ofthe Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. C. The first meeting fori the 2025 City of Baldwin Comprehensive Plan will be June 11th at 5:30 pm at Baldwin City Hall. All Baldwin residents, business owners, and stakeholders are invited to provide feedback for the City's next 5-Year Plan and join the committee if interested. Please contact ycleiecinolacwnarg for more information or to RSVP. d. The 3rd Annual Baldwin Water War is on June 14th from 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm at Mitchell Gailey Park! Bring your water guns and a towel to beat the heat and kick off summer vacation! Work Session Minutes June 3rd, 2025 Page 2 e. Join us for Theron's Theater (previously Movies in the Market) at the TAP Yard on June 27th at 8:30 pm for a free screening of Wonka! Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a night under the stars with your friends and family! Concessions are available with all proceeds going to Shop with a Hero. Adjournment Action: A motion was made by Maarten Venter to adjourn the meeting with a second by Alice Venter. Motion Carried at 7:09 pm. Cata 10/912085 Stephanie Almagno, Mayor Date Approved by Council Erin Gathercoal, City Clerk CITY SEAL V GA Work Session Minutes June 3rd, 2025 Page/3