Athens City Council approves $2.5M in capital allocations, job-class changes, park and construction contracts; pulls two electric bids after protest

The Athens City Council approved a broad set of resolutions, ordinances and contract authorizations at its Jan. 13 meeting, including a $2.5 million allocation from fiscal-year 2024 surplus funds for department capital needs, amendments to the city’s employee classification plan, multiple construction-management contracts for park and utility projects, and applications for state and federal grant programs.

The council voted unanimously, 5-0, to allocate $2.5 million in FY 2024 surplus funds across departments: $675,000 to police; $150,000 to fire; $175,000 to streets; $930,000 to sanitation; $100,000 to information technology; $5,000 to general administration; $55,000 to engineering; $15,000 to planning; $70,000 to building; $125,000 to cemetery, parks and recreation; and $200,000 unallocated. Councilmember Wales introduced the resolution and the roll call recorded five yes votes.

Why it matters: The allocations set aside capital for vehicles, equipment and infrastructure identified by department heads; the council’s acceptance of the FY 2024 surplus moves those dollars into department-specific capital accounts and signals which projects the city will prioritize in the coming year.

Personnel and classification changes

The council amended Ordinance No. 888 and approved associated resolutions that add two new positions to the mayor’s office — a communications and grant manager and a communications specialist — and delete the existing communications coordinator title. The council also adopted an organization chart for the mayor’s office and job descriptions for the new positions. All votes on those items were recorded 5-0 in favor.

The council separately adopted an updated organization chart and a job description adding a right-of-way inspector position within the public works department, and amended Ordinance No. 888 to add the right-of-way inspector title for public works. Those votes were also unanimous, 5-0.

Mayor Mark said the city follows a conservative budget process and that, when surplus funds remain, the administration meets with department heads to identify capital priorities. “We take bids on all of those,” the mayor said when asked how purchases such as a sanitation truck are procured.

Park, street and construction…