Franklin City Council approves year-end spending changes, 2020 pay rates and awards culvert contract; rezoning hearings set for Jan. 6

The Franklin City Council on Dec. 16 adopted multiple measures addressing year‑end finances, personnel pay rates for 2020, and a public-works contract, and it amended the agenda to add two rezoning ordinances for future hearings.

Appropriations: Finance Director Cindy Ryan presented Emergency Ordinance 2019-31 to adjust 2019 appropriations. The ordinance increases Personal Services for: Court Special Projects by $4,500 (to cover officer court security); Water Fund by $1,000; Trash Fund by $500; and Stormwater Fund by $1,600 (all to cover additional part‑time staffing due to extended leave). It reduces the Police Pension Fund by $17,000 and the Fire Pension Fund by $1,200 due to lower-than-anticipated expenses, and reduces the FC Dial Trust Fund by $350,000 because a grant was not received and the project was not completed. The council adopted the ordinance unanimously.

Pay rates: Resolution 2019-59, establishing the organization listings and pay rates for city officials and employees for 2020, was adopted. Sonny Lewis, city manager, said non‑bargaining employees will receive a 3% pay increase and the employee health‑insurance premium share will remain at 15%; rates for bargaining units are set through contracts. Council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.

Contract award: City Engineer Barry Conway reported bids for the I‑75 southbound ramp at SR 73 culvert extension; the low bidder was Rack & Ballauer Excavating Co., Inc. at $107,697. Council adopted Resolution 2019-61 to award the contract to Rack & Ballauer by unanimous vote.

Rezoning: Council voted to amend the agenda to replace Ordinance 2019‑30 and add Ordinance 2019‑32 concerning a rezoning request for 23 W. Second Street (approximately 0.70 acres). The Planning Commission recommended denying the request; Ordinance 2019‑30 would approve the rezoning, and Ordinance 2019‑32 would reject it. Council set public hearings on those ordinances for Jan. 6, 2020.

Other business: City Manager Sonny Lewis reported on a downtown ribbon cutting for Harmony Healing Arts, owned by Erica Collins. Council members offered holiday remarks and adjourned at 6:33 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 2019-29 (HB 228 compliance) — Adopted; vote: Mayor Hall, Michael Aldirdge, Debbie Fouts, Matt Wilcher, Denny Centers, Paul Ruppert, Brent Centers — all yes. - Ordinance 2019-31 (2019 appropriations) — Adopted; unanimous yes vote. - Resolution 2019-59 (2020 pay rates) — Adopted; unanimous yes vote. - Resolution 2019-61 (contract award to Rack & Ballauer) — Adopted; unanimous yes vote. - Motion to amend agenda (replace O-19-30 and add O-2019-32) — Adopted; unanimous.

Next steps: The rezoning ordinances will be the subject of public hearings on Jan. 6, 2020; other items were finalized at this meeting.