Resolutions to the City of Blue Ridge’s charter brought resistance from Councilman Nathan Fitts but were ultimately approved during a special called meeting Friday, February 21.
“I didn’t think about this till today ... a citizen brought this up,” Fitts said, “It hit me that we would have to have an election every two years ... I think it’s a great idea in concept, but I’m not okay with the election every two years and costing the city extra money, if it’s gonna cost that much money.”
He said he received a quote saying the upcoming special election would cost between $30,000 to $40,000, but Mayor Donna Whitener said that is not correct. They have had an election cost that much in the past, however, she said.
Finance Director Alicia Stewart said that elections usually cost around $5,000 to $6,000, excluding legal fees.
Satisfied with a lower cost for each election, Fitts began to further pick apart the resolution by questioning the roles of the mayor as stated in the charter.
He asked if the mayor can fill the role of a vacant seat rather than appointing someone. Whitener answered with, “That would be a good point, but that’s not how the charter’s set up.”
Fitts then questioned why the charter cannot be modified to allow that since they are in the process of changing the charter anyway.
“This might not be the complete solution,” Whitener said. “But you’ve got a whole ‘nother year before the next election ... So you could even change this, but right now this gives us some protection.”
City Attorney James Balli said it takes care of the “vacancy issue,” which will keep the mayor from having to act as a tie breaker.
Learning this, Fitts agreed with the change.
The resolution will call for an election every two years and will eliminate special elections, allowing for staggered terms so that all council members are not removed from their respective positions at once.
Candidates will still have to meet all the requirements to qualify and be appointed. Balli said the General Assembly will either approve the resolution or not and will determine the final language.
“I’m not gonna make a decision just because we’re under pressure. I’m gonna do it because I think it’s the best, and that’s the way it’s gonna be,” Fitts said.
When a motion was made to approve the resolution, it passed unanimously.
Another resolution to the charter, in which hotel motel tax was increased from 5% to 8%, was passed after Fitts was assured the change had been or will be discussed with those in the hospitality industry.
“We’re getting complaints every day that we’re not informing the public,” Fitts said.
An internship through the University of Georgia was established to allow an intern to work with the Downtown Developmental Authority.
The interns duties include economic development, alternative funding mechanisms, contact databases, brand development, infrastructure and others as they are presented. The position will receive pay at $5 an hour, paid by the city, but the intern is only allowed to work a maximum of 400 hours.
A quote for the retaining wall and deck on East Main Street was approved for $72,200 with Jamie Lunsford.
No action was taken regarding improvements to the city pool or on a firetruck. After an executive session on land, no action was taken.