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Homer city employees may soon see an increase in their paycheck.
At a meeting held Tuesday night, June 9, the council continued review of the FY 2015 budget.
After meeting in closed session to discuss personnel, the council recommended pay raises for all employees, with some employees receiving up to an eight percent increase. But to make this happen, the council will have to sharpen their pencils and readjust budget proposals.
The general budget proposes $381,900 in estimated revenue and $383,430 in expenses, a difference of $1,530. In addition, the downtown development authority is requesting an increase from last year’s $16,000 to $23,450 in FY 2015. The DDA will receive rental fees set later in the meeting, which will help offset the requested increase. The water department budget will remain at $151,000, reflecting the same amount budgeted for FY2014. A work session will be scheduled later in the month to complete the budget.
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Mayor’s race set in Homer
When qualifying ended at 4 p.m. Wednesday for town elections, a mayor’s race was set in Homer.
Incumbent Doug Cheek and Martha Cotton will be on the ballot in the Nov. 5 election.
Five at-large council seats are also on the ballot for Nov. 5. However, since only five people qualified for the seats, an election won’t be necessary for the city council positions.
Those to qualify for city council were: Incumbents Cliff Hill, Jerry Payne and Chris Tucker, along with David Dunson and Sandra Garrison. Incumbents Betty Borders and Anthony Sullivan did not seek re-election.
Incumbent Doug Cheek and Martha Cotton will be on the ballot in the Nov. 5 election.
Five at-large council seats are also on the ballot for Nov. 5. However, since only five people qualified for the seats, an election won’t be necessary for the city council positions.
Those to qualify for city council were: Incumbents Cliff Hill, Jerry Payne and Chris Tucker, along with David Dunson and Sandra Garrison. Incumbents Betty Borders and Anthony Sullivan did not seek re-election.
Homer OKs rezoning former fire station
A divided Homer City Council approved rezoning its former and now vacant firehouse for commercial use as a small warehouse/distribution facility.
The council’s 3-2 vote at the April 10 meeting in favor of Pest Control Insulation’s request followed a public hearing on reclassifying 963 Historic Homer Highway from institutional to restricted industrial.
The council’s nod during its regular meeting last week went against the planning and zoning board’s recommendation that the request be denied.
The approval also cleared the way for a rental contract to be negotiated between the business and Homer’s downtown development authority. Mayor Doug Cheek will help negotiate the terms before council reviews the final agreement as early as next month. [Full Story »]
The council’s 3-2 vote at the April 10 meeting in favor of Pest Control Insulation’s request followed a public hearing on reclassifying 963 Historic Homer Highway from institutional to restricted industrial.
The council’s nod during its regular meeting last week went against the planning and zoning board’s recommendation that the request be denied.
The approval also cleared the way for a rental contract to be negotiated between the business and Homer’s downtown development authority. Mayor Doug Cheek will help negotiate the terms before council reviews the final agreement as early as next month. [Full Story »]
Homer pulls funding support for civic center
The Homer City Council withdrew its funding support for the downtown development authority in regards to any lease of the Herbert Garrison Civic Center.
The council’s vote, taken at its regular December meeting on Tuesday, followed brief discussion on the issue that members have tabled for months in hopes the authority and the property’s multiple owners could achieve a deal.
Ultimately, new information related to unpaid property taxes, which date back to 2009, prompted the council’s unanimous decision. About $775 is owed on the civic center located at 193 Sycamore Street, according to county records.
“I certainly don’t think we can do anything on it if there are (tax) liabilities,” said councilman Chris Tucker. [Full Story »]
The council’s vote, taken at its regular December meeting on Tuesday, followed brief discussion on the issue that members have tabled for months in hopes the authority and the property’s multiple owners could achieve a deal.
Ultimately, new information related to unpaid property taxes, which date back to 2009, prompted the council’s unanimous decision. About $775 is owed on the civic center located at 193 Sycamore Street, according to county records.
“I certainly don’t think we can do anything on it if there are (tax) liabilities,” said councilman Chris Tucker. [Full Story »]
Homer approves $457,000 budget
The City of Homer approved a $457,000 budget at its Sept. 9 meeting, which is up over last year’s budget of $427,100.
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Homer council approves terms of franchise agreement
Homer City Council members approved the terms of its franchise ordinance at Tuesday’s, July 8, council meeting.
The council approved a term of 25 years with a four percent fee. Homer Mayor Doug Cheek and City Clerk Carol Ayers were approved to sign off on the ordinance once the paperwork is completed.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business at the meeting on Tuesday:
•Cheek announced the next meeting to discuss the city’s comprehensive plan was scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, at city hall. Adam Hazell with the Georgia Mountain Regional Development Commission was scheduled to discuss the comprehensive plan. Ayers said 10 Homer residents have agreed to work with the city on this project.
•the council held a brief discussion on the city’s sign ordinance. City Attorney Gary Freeman said the sign ordinance either has to be enforced or changed if the council feels it is not suitable. Freeman said the current ordinance does not allow pennant signs in the city at all. Any sign application for the historic district should come before the council and the planning commission, Freeman said. “It is a balancing act, Freeman said. “You don’t want to put an additional burden on your citizens.” Cheek said, “We do want the town to look nice.”
•council member Jerry Payne reported on the 75th annual Georgia Municipal Association conference that he attended recently. Payne said one of the sessions he attended at the conference was on tourism. Payne said, “We need to look at what the town has and use this as a selling point.”
•the council discussed the upcoming Banks County Holiday Festival planned for Friday, Aug. 29, through Sunday, Aug. 31, in downtown Homer. The festival pageant is planned for Saturday, Aug 16, in the Banks County High School auditorium. The pageant is open to girls ages 0 through 18 years old, Ayer said. Council member Sandra Garrison said attractions and entertainment is still being worked on for the event.
•Garrison reported that the July 4th fireworks show was good and a large crowd attended.
•Cheek announced the annual Sunday School Celebration scheduled for Saturday, July 29, in the downtown park.
The council approved a term of 25 years with a four percent fee. Homer Mayor Doug Cheek and City Clerk Carol Ayers were approved to sign off on the ordinance once the paperwork is completed.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business at the meeting on Tuesday:
•Cheek announced the next meeting to discuss the city’s comprehensive plan was scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, at city hall. Adam Hazell with the Georgia Mountain Regional Development Commission was scheduled to discuss the comprehensive plan. Ayers said 10 Homer residents have agreed to work with the city on this project.
•the council held a brief discussion on the city’s sign ordinance. City Attorney Gary Freeman said the sign ordinance either has to be enforced or changed if the council feels it is not suitable. Freeman said the current ordinance does not allow pennant signs in the city at all. Any sign application for the historic district should come before the council and the planning commission, Freeman said. “It is a balancing act, Freeman said. “You don’t want to put an additional burden on your citizens.” Cheek said, “We do want the town to look nice.”
•council member Jerry Payne reported on the 75th annual Georgia Municipal Association conference that he attended recently. Payne said one of the sessions he attended at the conference was on tourism. Payne said, “We need to look at what the town has and use this as a selling point.”
•the council discussed the upcoming Banks County Holiday Festival planned for Friday, Aug. 29, through Sunday, Aug. 31, in downtown Homer. The festival pageant is planned for Saturday, Aug 16, in the Banks County High School auditorium. The pageant is open to girls ages 0 through 18 years old, Ayer said. Council member Sandra Garrison said attractions and entertainment is still being worked on for the event.
•Garrison reported that the July 4th fireworks show was good and a large crowd attended.
•Cheek announced the annual Sunday School Celebration scheduled for Saturday, July 29, in the downtown park.
Homer completes first phase of comprehensive plan
The City of Homer has completed the first steps of a comprehensive plan for the city.
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