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Washington council keeps millage rate, approves pay raises, water study and evacuation plan
Summary
The Mayor and City Council of Washington, Georgia, on Sept. 9 approved pay increases for employees earning less than $15 an hour, authorized a $24,250 water-loss study by Rye Engineering, and directed the fire chief to present a mass evacuation plan; the council also tabled several items to October.
The Mayor and City Council of Washington, Georgia, on Sept. 9 approved pay increases for city employees earning less than $15 an hour, authorized a $24,250 water-loss study and directed the fire chief to present a mass evacuation plan and conduct a mock drill.
Mayor Bruce Bailey presided over the meeting at City Hall Council Chambers. Acting City Administrator presented a slate of administrative items that included the pay adjustments, a contract for a water-loss study by Rye Engineering and a recommendation to retain the 2024 millage rate; council votes on those items were recorded as passing unanimously.
The action on employee pay raised the wage floor for staff earning under $15.00 an hour. Council Member Nathaniel Cullars Sr. moved the pay-increase motion and Maceo Mahoney seconded; the council approved it without recorded opposition. The council similarly approved a $24,250 contract with Rye Engineering to study water loss in the city’s system (motion by Maceo Mahoney, second by Nathaniel Cullars Sr.). The council voted to leave the millage rate unchanged for 2024.
Council Member Maceo Mahoney brought two personnel-related motions that the council approved. Mahoney asked that the fire chief present a “Mass evacuation plan” within 15 days and run a mock evacuation within 30 days; members noted an evacuation plan already exists but nonetheless approved Mahoney’s motion. Mahoney also moved to adopt a policy requiring exit interviews for employees who have completed probation and voluntarily resign; the council approved that motion.
The council agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Wilkes County Board of Elections. A proposed charter amendment establishing an elected-officials travel policy and a proposal to move the VC-3 IT contract to a secure IT company were both tabled to the October meeting. The council also tabled consideration of a city salary study and directed staff to advertise the study posting for 30 days.
City Attorney Tom Watkins explained federal conflict-of-interest requirements under 24 CFR 570.489(h) tied to the jointly awarded CDBG City of Washington/Wilkes County water improvements project and disclosed that two city employees — Jesse Callaway (electric department) and Colby Echols (public works) — reside in the CDBG target area. Attorneys advised that no state law was violated and that an exception is being sought to allow those target-area residents to receive the same benefits as other eligible residents.
An executive session was called to discuss one personnel matter; according to the meeting record, no action was taken in closed session. The council reconvened and adjourned later the same night.
