Statesboro City Council met for their regular bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday, morning December 5, 2023. During the meeting the City Council paused for a work session to review the results from a compensation plan study prepared by an outside consultant Condrey & Associates. Steve Condrey and Jan Hansford of Condrey & Associates joined the meeting by way of Zoom.
The study gave an overview of the incredibly tight labor market and how the City of Statesboro's pay ranks in the market and with other similar sized cities.
The city council was given three recommendations in level of pay raises and when to implement the raises. The council will take action at their next meeting on the recommendations.
The three levels of raises were:
A) bring employees to 5% above market
B) bring employees to 2.5% above market
C) bring employees to current market levels
One of the options the council seemed most interested in was proposal A which would raise employees 5% above the current market pay levels. They also seemed to be leaning toward implementing the pay raises in January 2024 for Certified Police Officers and Firefighters and then the remaining employees at the beginning of the new budget year in July 2024.
The primary reason for this consideration is that public safety has been most impacted by the current city pay structure. The police department are down 17 officers. This also gives the City Council time to plan for the increases in the 2024 budget.
CLICK HERE to review the Employee Compensation Project presentation.
Keep reading for more on all City business covered at the meeting.
Recognitions/Public Presentations
A) Presentation of a Proclamation Commemorating the first introduction of the Equal Rights Amendment.
APPROVED - Consent Agenda
A) Approval of Minutes
a) 11-21-2023 Work Session Minutes
b) 11-21-2023 Council Minutes
B) Consideration of a motion to approve surplus and disposition of vehicles in the Public
Utilities Department.
a) 2013 Ford F150 (1ftmf1cm7dkd83868)
b) 2013 Ford F150 (1ftmf1cm5dkd83870)
c) 2012 Ford F150 (1ftfx1cm5dkd83870)
The staff in Public Utilities has determined the equipment listed above has exceeded its useful life.
Public Hearing
APPROVED - 6. Public Hearing for the City of Statesboro Comprehensive Plan Update.
At the November 21, 2023 City Council Work Session, the Coastal Regional Commission presented the general process for a Comprehensive Master Plan Update. This Public hearing will formally begin the process of update and announce December 6, 2023 at 5:30 pm at City Hall as the first date of public feedback for the process.
APPROVED - 7. Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance 2023-20: An Ordinance amending Chapter 10, Article I of the Statesboro Code of Ordinances.
Bulloch County handles animal control in the City under SDS. City and County are working on an animal control IGA to replace the outdated one in place since 2007. In order to streamline prosecution of violations in Magistrate Court it is necessary for City and County to have substantially similar animal control ordinances.
APPROVED - 8. Public Hearing and Consideration of a motion to approve application for an alcohol license in accordance with the City of Statesboro alcohol ordinance Sec. 6-13 (a):
Parkers #111
2216 Northside Drive East
Statesboro, Ga 30458
License Type: Package Sales – Beer and Wine only
APPROVED - 9. Second Reading and Consideration of a motion to approve Ordinance 2023-19: An Ordinance amending Chapter 66, Article V Collection Practices of the Statesboro Code of Ordinances in order to amend the text in Section 66-91 (c)(1).
This item was advanced to a second reading by Mayor and Council at the November 7, 2023 Council meeting. If approved, the fine violations will be referenced in the City’s Schedule of Rates, Fines and Fees.
APPROVED - APPROVED - 10. Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-50: A Resolution to adopt the Fourth Amendment to the City of Statesboro Schedule of Fees, Rates, and Fines for Fiscal Year 2024.
On September 19, 2023, the Statesboro City Council amended Chapter 18 Businesses of the Statesboro Code of Ordinances in order to implement Article XII creating licensing and operational requirements for Mobile Public Vending.
The Statesboro City Council amended the Ordinance 66-91 to reference the City’s Schedule of Rates, Fees and Fines for failure to remove polycarts.
Therefore, an amendment to the FY2024 Rates, Fees and Fines Schedule needs to be amended to reflect the Mobile Public Vending Occupational Tax Certificate and permit and the Failure to Remove Polycart Fine. The changes are highlighted in yellow.
REMOVED - 11. Consideration of a motion to approve the amendment to the contract for Tyler Technologies Software in regards to iCloud storage.
In 2020, the City had signed an agreement with Tyler Technologies to start the move toward cloud storage. However, the movement has not taken place and the on-premise licensing remains. The amended contract updates the cost for software maintenance and support services.
APPROVED - 12. Consideration of a motion to approve the purchase of a 2023 Ford Maverick from Woody Folsom Ford in the amount of $33,420.00 for the Statesboro Fire Department. This purchase will be paid utilizing 2019 SPLOST funds.
The Statesboro Fire Department has implemented a vehicle replacement and reallocation program to update an aging fleet. The current purchase of a 2023 Ford Maverick will replace a 2003 Ford F-150 that is assigned to the Prevention and Inspections Division. Requests were made to Metter Ford, J.C. Lewis Ford, and Woody Folsom Ford for written quotes.
- 1. Metter Ford: No vehicles in stock matching criteria, unable to procure vehicle without special order.
- 2. J.C. Lewis Ford: No vehicles in stock matching criteria, unable to procure vehicle without special order.
- 3. Woody Folsom Ford: Has specified vehicle in stock and deliverable upon payment.
Due to the model and required features, Woody Folsom Ford was the only dealer that has this vehicle in stock and available without special order. Therefore, it is our recommendation to accept Woody Folsom Ford’s written quote in the amount of $33,420.00.
Consideration of a motion to recess the regular meeting and enter into work session.
CLICK HERE to review the full Employee Compensation project presentation. Below are a few slides from the presentation that show overall cost of the plans and how a few city positons will be impacted by the plans.
Other Business from City Council
The City 5th annual Toy Drive is continuing. They have served 100's of local families through this drive. Mayor Jonathan McCollar encourages citizens to support the drive and lets make a child's Christmas a little bit better. CLICK HERE to learn more about the drive and how you can help.
Councilman John Riggs pointed out that the City of Statesboro will celebrate its 220th anniversary on the date of the next Council meeting December 19, 2024.
City Managers Comments
Charles Penny, City Manager, congratulated Justin Williams, Planning and Housing Administrator for passing his AICP (City Planner) Certification Exam. He went on to say that Williams provides outstanding services to our citizens, developers and the department.
He also recognized Matt Aycock for his promotion to the Assistant Public Utilities Director. Aycock has been employed with the city for 25 years. Most recently he served as the Waster Water Superintendent.
This year the New Years Eve falls on Sunday, December 31, 2023. Because this is a Sunday the current alcohol ordinance does not allow sales after 11:30 PM. Mr. Penny recommended a temporary adjustment to allow for the legal sales of alcohol for an extended period that evening.
APPROVED - Councilman Phil Poyum made a motion to temporarily on December 31, 2023 extend hours to for New Years Eve sales of alcohol to extend to 1 am to celebrate instead of 11:30 pm
Public Comments (General)
None
Consideration of a Motion to enter into Executive Session
None
CLICK HERE to view the agenda and supporting documents.
Live Stream of the meeting (work session not included)
The City does not live stream work sessions.
