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Politics & Government

Winder City Council To Vote On Several Items Tuesday

The Winder City Council will meet for its regular session Tuesday, Aug. 2 at 6 p.m.

The city council will vote Tuesday on whether to purchase two SUVs for the Winder Police Department.

City administrator Donald Toms stated that the financial difference between purchasing SUVs over cars is small yet the difference in workspace, visibility and response time is dramatic.

Council member David Maynard requested that Toms supply comparison analysis on the cost of maintenance and fuel efficiency between SUVs and the current type of vehicle used.

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The cost of each vehicle, fully equipped with police department gear, will cost the city approximately $35,800.

Toms stated that the last vehicle purchase for the police department was in 2008. His goal is for the city to get on an equipment replacement program to purchase two or three vehicles each year to keep the Police Department’s fleet up to date.

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Loan payment

Council members will vote on whether to pay off two Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) loans early. Both loans have high interest rates and will financially benefit the city if paid off this fiscal year.

One from April 1997 has a balance of $177,304 and will save the city $25,042 in interest. The other is from March 1992 and has a balance of $31,429 and will save the city $355.

Toms explained that this opens up the city to lower rates if there is a need for other loans in the future.

The current rates on similar loans range from 1%-3%, these loans have a 5.3% and 6.2% rate respectively.

Jackson Street/City Hall Design Project

Administrators will also vote on the Jackson Street/City Hall Design Project proposed by the City Planning Department.

The main focus of the project is to realign Broad Street. It requires the shifting of Broad Street and the replacement of curbs and gutters along Athens Street. It will also add green space to the area behind city hall and restructure the dumpster area.

The project could cost the city $59,208, not including labor. Labor will be provided by city employees and is calculated into the 2011 fiscal year budget.

Other items to be voted on Tuesday:

  • Whether to appoint City Clerk Sabrina Wall as Election Superintendent. Mayor Thompson explained to the council that Wall has already passed her certification exam and is willing to take on the new role.
  • Winder Television studio rental rates. This vote would allow non-profit organizations and schools to rent space and lighting. Rental will be at the discretion of the station’s manager and/or Winder City Administrator.
  • Whether to sell city surplus items. The items include 11 vehicles, which are either in disrepair or are not needed, and two motors.
  • Whether to allow the Winder television station to video tape their work session meetings. WTV 21 already covers the city council's monthly business meetings. This vote is in response to a demand from Winder residents for more information before votes take place.
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