Monticello Council Discusses Budget

The Monticello City Council discussed and approved the advertising of their five year history and digest as they move into further FY19 budget discussions. The council stated Tuesday night that they will take the rollback and the millage rate will be 5.864 keeping revenues neutral and not increasing taxes.

Mayor Bryan Standifer said, “we have not increased our millage rate in the last five years. That’s great for the taxpayers in the City of Monticello.”

The council will hold a budget meeting next Monday, May 14, at 6 p.m. in the council chambers.

The council heard from City Manager Doug White on several items Tuesday including a Pole Attachment Service agreement amendment with Electric Cities of Georgia. The council approved the amendment as Mr. White stated that it would be a savings for the city of Monticello. The exact amount of savings to the city was unknown, but the council members were in favor of savings.

The council also voted to repay the BB&T lease agreement due to an increasing interest rate. The council agreed to pay off the loan in full in the amount of $197,164.17 to save on the increasing fees. Mr. White informed the council that this would free up between $8,000-$9,000 a month.

Mr. White also informed the council of the park to park sidewalk grant progress stating that the work will be done as soon as one more signature is received. Mr. White met with GDOT and federal officials last week and they agreed that the GDOT in Madison will oversee the project and that there was a contractor on standby awaiting the go ahead.

There was also discussion about vandalism at Funderburg Park. Mr. White stated that it would be around $900 to repair the goals, nets and backboards at the park which had been broken. He also said that over the weekend that there was a spigot vandalized. There was much discussion as to whether the city should go to metal backboards and the cost of those versus the upkeep and durability.

The council mostly agreed that the goals should be replaced as school was ending in two weeks and that the park is widely used by children. The vote was to approve with one vote for no from Councilwoman Cynthia Miller who felt that the city continues to put money into the backboards and they continue to get broken so that “maybe they should be down for a while.” Mr. White did inform the council that there was a reward offered for anyone that could aid in turning in the vandals to the sheriff’s office.

The council voted to approve two Planning and Zoning items that were passed and sent to the council for final approval. The council voted to make 778 Funderburg Drive conditional use for an office/institutional space that will house Southeastern Psychological Associates. There was some discussion as to if a person would reside there as stated in an earlier conditional use, to which was decided that an employee would reside in the building.

They also voted to approve a variance at 1178 College Street, at the Never Too Late, Inc. to allow chickens and rabbits for educational purposes.

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) requested approval from the council for the appointment of Adam McGinnis to the board. Mr. McGinnis is the owner of Southern Edge Realty on the Square and was recommended by Pam Mayer, president of the Chamber of Commerce and DDA board. The council approved Mr. McGinnis’ appointment.

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Mrs. Mayer informed the council on the success of the opening weekend of the Market on the Square that happened last Saturday. She said that there were 23 vendors present and that there was a large turnout of people partaking of the wares offered there. She praised all of the council for encouraging participation and said that for the future the first Saturday of each month direct sales will be offered in conjunction with the market.

Mrs. Mayer announced the opening of a new business for this Saturday, Tinley Tomatoes and Fresh Produce going into the building on the east side of the square that was formerly Mail and More. She said that that business will offer produce from Florida initially, but would primarily get their goods from Cordele.

There was a request from Mrs. Mayer for the council to have consideration of the DDA board during the budget season. She said that they are doing some great things for the community and she would like the opportunity to present to the council regarding budget.

There was also an update on the status of the Sun Rise building on the Square that is currently owned by the DDA. Mrs. Mayer stated that the building is up for sale, but currently is a soft sale being that there is a business and a tenant in the space currently. She said that the current tenants were given the offer to purchase the space if they’d like to. She said that the current contract is on a month to month basis and that those in the space were prompt about making rent each month and were good stewards of the building.

Mrs. Mayer closed encouraging everyone to view the exhibit in the Visitor’s Center that is on display. She said that the Jasper County Middle School seventh grade classes worked on the project “Monticello with 20 objects,” by interviewing, researching and bringing those to display.

The council was given a policy from Henry County to read and review for further discussion of the Mine Lake property usage to be discussed at the June meeting.

The council meets the second Tuesday of each month.