November 2009 Public Hearing

OXFORD MAYOR AND COUNCIL

PUBLIC HEARING

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009 – 6:00 P.M.

COMMUNITY CENTER, OXFORD, NEWTON, GEORGIA

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  JERRY D. ROSEBERRY, MAYOR; JAMES H. WINDHAM, MAYOR PRO-TEM; COUNCIL MEMBERS-TERRY A. SMITH; FRANK J. DAVIS; HOYT P. OLIVER; EMMA LOU PATTERSON; AND GEORGE R. HOLT

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  COUNCIL ELECT SUE DALE; CLARK R. MILLER; POLICE CHIEF; AND LATRELLE OLIVER

 

The purpose of the Public Hearing is to hear citizen(s) comments on amendments to the 2009 Operating Budget and to the Proposed 2010 Budget.

 

The Public Hearing was called to order by the Honorable Jerry D. Roseberry, Mayor.  The floor was opened for discussion.

 

Council member Davis recommended that the 2010 operating budget allow for the expenditure for the purchase of United States Flags and crosses to be place along Emory Street in observance of Veterans Day each year.  Council member Oliver stated he had no objections to the purchase of flags but discouraged public funds being spent on any religious symbols.

 

Council member Smith questioned the following budget items:

  1. 37% increase in General Government salaries
  2. $45,000.00 increase in General Government legal and professional fees
  3. 11% increase in Sanitation Fund uniform expense
  4. Increase in water/sewer sales
  5. Increase in water/sewer salaries
  6. $5,000.00 in water/sewer small equipment
  7. $10,000.00 capital outlay for insertion valves
  8. Projections for decrease in Municipal Competitive Trust investment income
  9. $100,000.00 in the Electric Fund for electrical switching upgrades

 

Responses to some of Smith’s questions:

The increase in General Government salaries is to allow for the establishment of a new entry level clerical position.

 

The addition to General Government legal and professional is for the contracting with Robert and Company/Jerry Weitz to assist with the city’s zoning re-write.

 

Personnel matters will be discussed in the Called Meeting Executive Session. 

 

The increase/decrease of anticipated Municipal Competitive Trust investment income is based on the economic earnings of dividends on the investments.

 

Smith further added that he thought the expansion of the multi-use trail project should be deferred for one to two years until the economy improved.

PUBLIC HEARING

NOVEMBER 23, 2009

PAGE 2

 

Citizen comments

 

LaTrelle Oliver asked how a budget for tree maintenance could be determined prior to the inventory of trees by Arborist Connie Head is completed.

 

Mayor Roseberry stated the budget allows for the expense of Connie Head to perform the tree inventory using a GPS system and overlay and for the preparation of a hazardous tree list for removal.  Head will also consult with the power line tree trimmers once per week while on site.

 

LaTrelle Oliver added that she also has concerns of the protection of trees surrounding the city hall construction site.

 

Mayor Roseberry reviewed the Capital Projects Budget and concluded that the following projects would be allotted for in 2010 budget:

  1. Community Center/City Hall Building (including a loan of $600,000.00)                     $1,610,094.00
  2. Furniture, appliances, (City Hall/Community Center)                                                            100,000.00
  3. Purchase of one (1) police vehicle and equipment                                                                   31,000.00
  4. Renovations of the fire station building (includes SPLOST funds of $60,000.00)          100,000.00
  5. Expansion of the sewer system (including grant of $100,000.00 if funded)                  250,000.00
  6. Security Camera System (Maintenance Facility)                                                                           8,000.00
  7. Communication Systems, Security, Community Center/City Hall                                                      100,000.00

 

Other projects discussed were installation of a security camera system for the maintenance facility and city hall community center, upgrades to infrastructure, and investments into sinking funds for future needs.

 

Council member Windham added that the city would not be good stewards of public funds if the monies set aside were not used for reinvestment of infrastructure needs.

 

Council member Holt stated he had concerns of inflating the expense budgets and thinking if the city has the funds, they are to be spent.

 

There being no further discussion, the Public Hearing was closed at 7:53 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Carol A. Poole

City Clerk, CMC