Alamo City Council Holds Last Meeting of 2023

Purchases for new City Hall, the adoptions of the 2023 tax millage rate and a burn ordinance, approval of a waste collection contract, and a request by a CAMP Grow representative were among agenda items tackled by the Alamo City Council at its last meeting of 2023 on December 18.

Commissioners decided to budget $12,000 to purchase computers, printers, a scanner, and docking stations for new City Hall and the adjoining police headquarters. Funds will be taken from SPLOST allocations. Both buildings are being readied for occupancy in the near future. At its next session on January 8, the Council will schedule a date for an open house to introduce the new facilities to the community.

The Council also adopted the 2023 tax millage rate of 8.177, rolling it back from the rate of 8.491 for the previous year. The City’s budget for 2024 is $1.6 million, $55,000 below 2023’s budget.

A burn ordinance was adopted following the advertising of amendments to the law regarding fines. At its November session, the Council clarified that the first violation of the ordinance would result in a warning, and thereafter fines would be imposed that would increase by $25 with each successive infraction.

The Council approved a three-year contract with Rylan Environmental of Dublin to haul sludge and household waste for disposal. The current contract with Republic Services of Higgston is due to expire on January 31, 2024.

A request from City Manager Jeff Floyd to address needs with the City’s Water and Sewer System was resolved with the approval of a bid from Southeast Environmental of Blackshear. The agreement will provide maintenance upgrades to meet Environmental Protection Division guidelines and cost $19,271.88.

In response to the need to provide approximately $9,000 for preliminary environmental survey work at Eastside Park, the Council opted to transfer funds from general fund savings to cover future expenses. These expenses are reimbursable from a $2.2 million grant being administered by Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission for park improvements. The park is being upgraded to provide additional resources and activities for citizens.

Santina Fryer, cofounder and executive director of the Gents and Glam Community, Family, and Youth Services, from Baxley, addressed the City Council regarding future use of old City Hall, which will be abandoned once the City moves into its new building in the near future. Fryer asked the Council to entertain the idea of allowing her program, which operates Camp Grow in Wheeler County at a neighborhood church where space is an issue, to utilize old City Hall for its program. The Council deferred making a decision on the request pending further consideration.

The Council approved the 2024 Calendar and holidays schedules, but tabled making a decision on the approval of 2024 committees until further discussions can take place. Regular sessions will take place at 6 p.m. at City Hall on the third Monday of each month except for the first meeting of the year, which will be held on Monday, January 8.