The Brooklet City Council held a work session covering a range of city matters, including pensions, court salaries, utility audits, and infrastructure projects. The council reviewed the city's required contribution of $494,463.37 to the Defined Benefit Pension Plan, with the final vote set for next week. A recent utility billing audit found no excessive charges or errors, but identified $809 in savings, which will be credited to the city's account. Additionally, the city qualifies for a state sales tax refund for overpayments made over the past three years.
Discussions on municipal court salaries revealed the loss of a judge and public defender. While the city is not required to have a public defender, the mayor suggested hiring one on an as-needed basis, and Councilman Bradley Anderson recommended filling the judge position as soon as possible. The council also approved increasing solicitor Robbie Mock’s pay from $250 to $500 per session, moving this to the consent agenda.
The council debated a proposed ordinance requiring residents to obtain a permit before burning yard waste. More details on enforcement and the permit process are still under review. Work sessions will now be held only as needed rather than monthly, and council members must submit discussion items by 5:00 PM the Wednesday before the meeting unless an emergency arises.
Personnel policy updates clarified employee workweek schedules, with police officers working on a two-week pay period at 42 hours per week. The council also sought clarification on terms like “abandonment of duties.” The planning and zoning interview results will be emailed to council members for review, and if no objections arise, this item will be moved to the consent agenda.
The city is moving forward with a $61,305 contract with Southern Disaster Recovery, LLC for storm cleanup, using whole tree grinders. The cost is 100% reimbursable if filed before March 28, 2025, and the item was added to the consent agenda. As part of the city’s ongoing sewer project, the council discussed pre-installing tie-ins for 30 homes at $2,200 per tap, compared to $12,000 per tap if installed later. Grant funding will cover these costs, and the mayor urged a quick decision due to time constraints.
A $16,000 proposal for audio and video system upgrades at City Hall was presented, with the council debating whether to implement the improvements all at once or in phases. Additionally, the council approved a partnership with Southeast Bulloch High School’s Work-Based Learning Program, allowing students to work 2:00–5:00 PM during the school year and 20 hours per week in the summer. This item was moved to the consent agenda. The meeting adjourned at 8:04 PM.
1. Call to Order and Welcome
Mayor Nicky Gwinnett began with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Consideration of a Motion to Approve the Agenda
Approved
3. Work Session Discussion Items:
3.1 - Review of 2024 recommended contribution to the Defined Benefit Pension Plan
City Clerk Lori Phillips commented that this is the yearly audit for retirement contributions. Brooklet's contribution, $494,463.37, would need to be approved next week. Councilman Bradley Anderson confirmed that is the financial obligation for the city and requires approval from the council. It was moved to the consent agenda.
3.2 Utility Management Services, Inc. - Utility Billing Audit Analysis
Informational item that revealed the yearly audit showed no excessive demands, errors, or overcharges on Brooklet's utitlity bill. The company identified savings in the amount of $809 that will be communicated to GA Power and applied to the account. The audit also revealed that the accounts are eligible for a reduced state sales tax, which will provide a refund from the state as well as a credit for taxes paid for the last three years.
3.3 Survey for the Annual Salary of Municipal Court Officers for Monthly Court
The survey revealed the salaries of judges, solicitors, and public defender in surrounding cities. The goal was to gauge an average on which to base the salary for Brooklet's municipal officers. The council discussed the loss of a judge and a public defender. Lisa Tollison, Police Records/Court Clerk, suggested returning to monthly court on April 9, 2025. Tollison confirmed that there is no state requirement that mandates a public defender and there was conversation about possibly limiting to a judge and a solicitor. The mayor inquired about employing a public defender on an as-needed basis. Bradley Anderson suggested Carter Crawford research and recommend a judge to be hired as soon as possible. This item will be revisited pending additional information.
3.4 Court Solicitor Proposal, Robbie Mock $500 per court
Robbie Mock is Brooklet's current court solicitor as well as Sylvania's. Mr. Mock requested $500 per court session rather than his current $250 per session. The council members were in agreement to approve this proposal. This was moved to the consent agenda.
3.5 Review of a Proposed Ordinance for Outdoor Burning
The committee discussed Ordinance NO. 2025-02-10, which would require residents to secure a permit prior to burning lawn trash, leaves, pine straw, or rubbish. The council discussed the options for obtaining permits and who what entity would enforce the permits. Councilwoman Rebecca Kelly commented that more information is needed before a decision is made. This item is in progress.
3.6 Work Session Discussion
The council agreed that work sessions will occur on an as-needed basis, rather than regularly scheduled monthly meetings. Councilwoman Rebecca Kelly requested that items for future meetings be submitted according to the agenda protocol: discussion items must be submitted by 5:00pm on the Wednesday, exactly one week and one day, prior to the meeting, barring emergency situations. All council members were in agreement.
3.7 Proposed Personnel Policy
Councilman and City Manager Carter Crawford confirmed questions under SectionVII: Compensation & Pay schedule about the 40-hour basic workweek for employees not including police officers, whose basic workweek is a two-week period paid hourly at 42 hours per week. Councilwoman Sheila Wentz asked for clarification of "Abandonment of Duties" and asked about "essential personnel" designations. Mr. Crawford will make clarifications to the document by next week's meeting. This item has been moved to the consent agenda.
3.8 Planning & Zoning Interview Results
Lori Phillips will send this out via email to Council. If there is no email discussion about this topic, this will be moved to the consent agenda.
3.9 - Southern Disaster Recovery, LLC has a contract for storm clean-up with whole tree grinders and crews for $61,305.00.
This cost is 100% reimbursable if refund is filed by the deadline of March 28, 2025. The members were in agreement. This item has been moved to the consent agenda.
3.10 3-inch force main tap-ins during construction
Mayor Gwinnett proposed the cost-effectiveness of installing tie-ins as sewer project progresses. This will affect 30 houses and will cost $2200 per tap vs. $12,000 per tap if installed at a later date. This would allow residents to tie-in more quickly than was initially expected. Existing grant money will cover the costs. The mayor asked for a rapid decision as time is a factor. Councilman Hubert Roughton agreed. Councilman Bradley Anderson suggested a separate work session for Phase 2 of the sewer project. This item has been moved to the consent agenda.
3.11 Georgia Technologies Proposal No. #6475 in the amount of $16,000.00 for updating the City Hall Council/Court Room Audio/Video System
The mayor asked if this cost would be covered under SPLOST. Mr. Crawford said no as it is considered a general expense. The council discussed the pros and cons of the need for the upgrade and the possibility of either adding the proposed technology piecemeal or all at once.
3.12 Southeast Bulloch High School Work-Based Learning Employer/Mentor Program
Hours would be 2:00pm to 5:00pm during the school year and a proposed 20-hour week for summer was discussed. The members agreed and moved this item to the consent agenda.
4. Consideration of a Motion to Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 8:04pm.
