Winder City Council to Vote on Energy Bill Round-up Program

During Monday’s workshop meeting, the Winder City Council heard a proposal for an energy bill round-up program to help area families in need of energy assistance.

Gas Department Director Mike Jewell spoke on behalf of the Winder chapter of Heating Energy Assistance Team, or H.E.A.T., about the proposal, which would allow Winder residents to round up their energy bills to the nearest dollar as a donation to the nonprofit organization.

Jewell and H.E.A.T. State Director Janet Joseph spoke to the council about the growing need in the area for donations and the benefits this program could have for the community.

The council will decide whether to allow the program, and how it may be implemented if the proposal was to pass, during its meeting at 6 p.m. today, Tuesday, July 12, at the .

Other business

• The city council will vote on an amendment to reapportion and redistrict the four city council wards following the 2010 Census. An informational meeting will be open to the public for comment from 5 to 6 p.m. today.
• The council will vote on an amendment that would allow Winder businesses that serve alcohol to stay open until 1:55 a.m. The council will also vote on what City Administrator Donald Toms called “housekeeping items” regarding Chapter 3 of the proposed amendment.
• The council will vote on proposed rate changes for events at the Winder Community Center. Rate changes would be increased in certain areas, such as weekend events, to remain competitive with other area venues while capitalizing on supply and demand and reducing rates for weekday events to attract more events throughout the week at the center.
• The council will vote on whether to list equipment that is not being used at the city television station as surplus or to throw the equipment away.
• The city council also discussed with Winder Community Center Director Fawn Alexander services that can be offered for additional fees at the center. The facility currently has only one Saturday available for the rest of the year but wishes to generate more revenue from weekday events. Alexander proposed using the grassy areas outside of the center and advertising in wedding publications among other ideas to garner attention to the center for future events.