At the March 20, 2025 Brooklet City Council meeting, Mayor Nicky Gwinnett swore in Michelle Reolegio as the city’s new Police Chief and Hadrian Wolff as a full-time officer with the Brooklet Police Department.
Both appointments mark an important step in strengthening the city’s public safety presence as residents continue to express concerns about speeding and neighborhood safety.
Following the ceremony, the Council moved on to a series of agenda items, including a presentation from Paul Collins of Assured Partners on the city’s employee health insurance renewal. Collins explained that although the initial renewal quote reflected a 13.5% increase, his team worked with City Manager Carter Crawford to negotiate a better plan.
The final proposal reduces the deductible from $4,000 to $3,500 while maintaining a gap coverage plan that brings employees’ effective deductible to $0. The revised premium increase is only 3.89%, and a $3 per employee monthly reduction on the gap plan will contribute to additional cost savings. Collins emphasized that the coverage remains largely the same, still through United Healthcare.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, residents Ed DiNello and Wayne Cox, who both live on South Cromley Road, raised concerns about excessive speeding in their neighborhood. DiNello described the road as a “launch pad,” pointing out that its long, open stretch encourages drivers to speed, especially as they enter or leave Brooklet.
He recommended adding speed bumps similar to those recently installed on Spence Drive. Cox echoed DiNello’s concerns and shared a personal story about losing his dog to a speeding vehicle. He also noted the presence of young children in the area and urged the Council to take action before a more serious incident occurs.
The Council approved minutes from seven previous meetings, including budget hearings and work sessions. They also approved the February financial reports. According to the report, general fund revenues and expenditures are in the black for the first eight months of the fiscal year. The sanitation fund remains $6,021 short due to a truck payment, but the city has the funds to cover the shortfall. Budget adjustments will be presented at the April meeting to prevent any audit findings.
City Manager Carter Crawford provided updates on the FY2026 budget process, noting that planning is already underway. He proposed a budget workshop for Thursday, April 10 at 6:00 p.m. Crawford also reported on the city’s recent planning retreat, which resulted in a work program and several items being added to Brooklet’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan. Updates to the city’s financial and budget policies have already been completed. Items such as a zoning update and transportation study will be addressed once the city’s comprehensive plan is updated.
During council member reports, Councilman Bradley Anderson emphasized the need for a separate work session dedicated to sewer planning. He recommended discussing ways to make connection fees more manageable for residents and suggested holding the meeting on a Saturday if possible.
Councilman Keith Roughton provided an update on the $290,000 in SPLOST funds allocated to recreation from the 2020 referendum. He proposed using the funds to partner with the Bulloch County Recreation Department on improvements to the Brooklet Recreation Complex, including upgrades to the pavilion, restrooms, and concession areas. Roughton has already had preliminary discussions with Recreation Director Dee Cosby and Tony Morgan on the project.
City Clerk Lori Phillips shared several updates, including efforts to set up ACH payments for utility bills and property taxes following increased customer interest. She and Crawford also met with FEMA representatives and an insurance adjuster regarding damages at City Hall and the Police Department. An insurance estimate has been submitted. Phillips noted that all late fees have been applied to 2024 property taxes and that 35 open records requests were processed over the past month.
Police Chief Reolegio reported a significant increase in calls for service, with 43 in February compared to 26 in January. The department also made 2 arrests, issued 27 citations, and collected $9,700 in fines.
The Council then moved into discussion and voting on several items. They approved the employee health insurance renewal as presented by Paul Collins, as well as an amended and restated intergovernmental agreement with the City of Statesboro to increase sewer treatment services. The Council also approved the appointment of Johnny Vines as the new Municipal Court Judge and approved a motion to designate the week of April 20–26, 2025, as Garden Week in Georgia.
A preliminary plat for Storage-R-Us, Inc. (John Lavender) was approved as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission. Finally, the Council held the second reading and approved Ordinance No. 2025-02-10, which establishes permitting requirements and penalties for burning lawn debris within city limits.
The meeting concluded after all agenda items were addressed and motions approved.
Click here for agenda and supporting documents.
Proposed Agenda
1. Call to Order and Welcome – Mayor Gwinnett
Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance
2. Consideration of a Motion to Approve the Agenda
3. Swearing-in Ceremony – Mayor Gwinnett
a. Chief Michelle Reolegio
b. Officer Hadrian Wolff
4. Recognition of Guest(s) Who Have Signed Up to Speak
None
5. Recognition of Guest(s) Requested to Be on the Agenda
a. City Auditor Patricia Hunter, Reddick, Riggs, Hunter & Colson, P.C. – Audit Report FY2024 (No Show)
b. Paul Collins, Assured Partners – Employee Health Insurance Renewal for 04/01/2025
Paul Collins of Assured Partners presented the proposed renewal for the City of Brooklet’s employee health insurance plan, which goes into effect April 1, 2025. He noted that the city had received an updated packet showing a slight premium decrease compared to earlier versions, which replaced the original packet.
Collins explained that the original renewal quote reflected a 13.5% increase. However, after reviewing options and meeting with City Manager Carter Crawford, they were able to find a solution that reduced that increase significantly.
The plan moving forward includes:
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Reducing the deductible from $4,000 to $3,500.
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Maintaining the gap coverage plan (APL), which offsets the deductible entirely, ensuring employees effectively have a $0 deductible.
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A revised premium increase of only 3.89%.
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A $3 per month per employee reduction on the gap plan premium, leading to overall cost savings.
He emphasized that this keeps coverage essentially the same for employees, still under United Healthcare, with only slight shifts in the numbers.
“We go out to market each year to make sure we’re finding the best deal for the city,” Collins said, adding that although they attempted to explore other options this year, none were more advantageous than the current renewal.
c. Ed DiNello, 200 South Cromley Rd. – Speed Bumps on South Cromley Road
Ed DiNello asked the Council to address excessive speeding on South Cromley Road, which he compared to a “launch pad” due to its long, open stretch. He suggested speed bumps—possibly smaller ones like those on Spence Drive—to slow traffic and improve safety for kids and retirees in the area. DiNello emphasized the issue has worsened over the years and said enforcement alone could bring in enough revenue to offset the city’s costs. He urged the Council to seriously consider a solution before an accident occurs.
d. Wayne Cox, 203 South Cromley Rd. – Concern Over Excessive Speeding on South Cromley Between West Lee and Brooklet-Leefield Rd./South Parker Rd.
Wayne Cox echoed concerns about speeding on South Cromley, especially during school drop-off and pick-up times. As someone who works from home, he said the constant noise and speed of cars is both distracting and dangerous. He shared an emotional story about his dog being killed by a speeding car and warned that young children in the neighborhood could be next. He urged the city to consider solutions like speed bumps or more visible signage before a tragedy occurs.
APPROVED WITH REVISIONS FROM BEN PERKINS 6. Consideration of a Motion to Approve the Minutes for the Following Meetings:
a. June 5, 2024 – FY25 Proposed Budget Public Hearing
b. June 6, 2024 – Called Meeting
c. June 13, 2024 – Called Meeting & Public Hearing
d. July 18, 2024 – City Council Meeting
e. December 12, 2024 – Work Session
f. January 16, 2025 – City Council Meeting
g. February 13, 2025 – Work Session
APPROVED 7. Consideration of a Motion to Approve the February Financial Reports as Presented
The general fund revenues and expenditures are both in the black for the first eight months of the fiscal year. The sanitation fund remains $6,021 short due to a truck payment, but the city has the necessary funds to cover and adjust this. A reminder was noted that budget adjustments will need to be made by March 31, 2025, to avoid any audit findings; these will be presented at the April meeting.
8. Report from the City Manager
City Manager Carter Crawford noted that the FY2026 budget process has begun. He proposed holding a budget workshop with the Mayor and Council.
He also briefly discussed the recent planning retreat, calling it productive and noting that it resulted in a work program with several items added to the city’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Updates to the city’s financial and budget policies have already been completed. Other items such as the zoning update and transportation study will wait until the comprehensive plan is updated.
9. Reports from Committee Members
Councilman Anderson emphasized the need for a dedicated work session to plan for the sewer rollout, giving credit to Councilman Roughton for raising the issue. He suggested discussing how to make connection fees more manageable for local residents. While acknowledging the importance of the budget and its statutory timeline, he stressed that sewer planning should be handled separately, possibly through a Saturday session. He agreed with Councilwoman Kelly that there should be two distinct workshops: one for the budget and one focused solely on sewer planning
Councilman Roughton provided an update on the $290,000 allocated to recreation from the 2020 SPLOST, which remains unused. He suggested partnering with the Bulloch County Recreation Department to make improvements at the Brooklet Recreation Complex, a city-owned facility managed by the county through a memorandum of understanding.
Preliminary discussions have taken place with Recreation Director Dee Crosby and Tony Morgan to plan upgrades to the pavilion, restrooms, and concession areas. Roughton said this would be a good investment for the community and a productive use of the SPLOST funds.
10. Report from the City Clerk
City Clerk Lori Phillips reported that she and City Manager Carter Crawford attended an in-person meeting with Morris Bank to discuss offering ACH payments for utility bills and property taxes, in response to customer requests. They also held a Zoom meeting with Utility Management Services and have received tax refunds from Georgia Power.
Phillips noted that late fees have been applied to 2024 property taxes and notices have been sent. She and Crawford met twice with FEMA and also with an insurance adjuster, who performed walkthroughs of City Hall and the Police Department. An insurance estimate for damages has been submitted to FEMA.
Additional updates included:
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31 sections scheduled
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35 dig order requests responded to
11. Report from the Planning & Zoning Administrator
12. Report from Police Chief
Chief Reolegio reported 43 calls for service in February, an increase from 26 in January. The department made 2 arrests, issued 27 citations, and collected $9,700 in fines.
13. Report from the City Engineer
14. Discussion Items:
APPROVED 14.1. Discussion & Consideration of a Motion to Approve the Employee Health Insurance Renewal for 04/01/2025 as Presented by Paul Collins.
APPROVED 14.2. Discussion & Consideration of a Motion to Approve an Amended and Restated Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Statesboro to Allow for an Increase in Sewer Treatment Services with the City of Brooklet.
14.3. Discussion & Consideration of a Motion to Approve a Municipal Court Judge.
Approved Johnny Vines as the municipal court judge.
14.4. Discussion & Consideration of a Motion to Approve a Public Defender for Municipal Court.
APPROVED 14.5. Consideration of a Motion to Approve and Designate the Week of April 20-26, 2025, as Garden Week in Georgia (Proclamation).
APPROVED 14.6. Consideration of a Motion to Approve the Preliminary Plat as Presented by the Planning & Zoning Commission for Storage-R-Us, Inc. – John Lavender.
APPROVED 14.7. Second Reading and Motion to Approve Ordinance No. 2025-02-10
An ordinance by the Mayor and City Council for the City of Brooklet to amend Chapter 38 of the Code of Ordinances to provide permitting requirements for the burning of lawn trash, leaves, pine straw, and rubbish; to provide for penalties; to provide for notice; to provide for severability; to provide an effective date; to repeal all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict herewith; and for other purposes.
Consideration of a Motion to Adjourn
