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White City Council unanimously approves 3% pay raise, adopts holidays and awards sanitation, accounting contracts
Summary
At its Jan. 5 meeting the White City Council approved a 3% across-the-board employee raise effective Jan. 1, adopted the 2026 holiday schedule, confirmed appointments for election and pension administration, and awarded sanitation and accounting contracts after unanimous votes.
On Jan. 5, 2026, the White City Council unanimously approved a 3% pay increase for city employees effective Jan. 1, adopted the 2026 holiday schedule and approved a series of administrative appointments and procurement awards, Mayor Curtis Powell said during the meeting at White City Hall.
The council adopted Resolution 2026-01 to grant a 3% raise for city employees, with Councilmember Stephanie Nichelson moving the measure and Councilmember Karissa Noland seconding. The motion passed 5-0. The council also adopted Resolution 2026-02, setting the city’s official 2026 holidays, by a 5-0 vote.
Mayor Powell nominated City Clerk Robin Cochran for two administrative roles. The council approved Resolution 2026-03 appointing Cochran as the city’s Election Superintendent for 2026 and Resolution 2026-04 naming her Pension Secretary; both measures passed unanimously after motions from Nichelson and a second from Noland.
The council approved Resolution 2026-05 requiring an annual review of Police Department policies and made budget approvals contingent on that review, a procedural step Powell described as part of routine oversight.
On procurement, the council awarded RFP 25-01 for sanitation services to Mauldin after Powell said two bidders responded and described Mauldin as responsive with competitive pricing. Councilmember David “DJ” Bennett moved to accept Mauldin’s bid; Jean Swank seconded and the motion passed 5-0. For accounting services, Powell recommended CKH Group at an annual rate of $18,500; Councilmember Nichelson moved to accept CKH Group, Councilmember Noland seconded and the council approved the contract 5-0.
Other routine business included a resolution to surplus 75 Richards Rd., which the council approved 5-0, and a motion to surplus a Dodge Durango from the Police Department to reallocate sale proceeds to outfit other cruisers; that motion also passed unanimously. The council adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Votes at a glance: • Resolution 2026-01 (3% employee raise): moved by Stephanie Nichelson; second Karissa Noland. Vote: Bennett—yes; Nichelson—yes; Noland—yes; Swank—yes; Powell—yes (5-0). • Resolution 2026-02 (2026 holidays): moved by DJ Bennett; second Stephanie Nichelson. Vote: 5-0. • Resolution 2026-03 (Election Superintendent—Robin Cochran): moved by Stephanie Nichelson; second Karissa Noland. Vote: 5-0. • Resolution 2026-04 (Pension Secretary—Robin Cochran): moved by Jean Swank; second Karissa Noland. Vote: 5-0. • Resolution 2026-05 (annual police policy review): moved by Stephanie Nichelson; second Karissa Noland. Vote: 5-0. • RFP 25-01 (sanitation contract to Mauldin): moved by DJ Bennett; second Jean Swank. Vote: 5-0. • RFP 25-02 (accounting services to CKH Group at $18,500/yr): moved by Stephanie Nichelson; second Karissa Noland. Vote: 5-0.
The council also held a first reading of an alcohol ordinance amendment required after two 2025 ballot referendums that authorized package sales and on-premise consumption; no public comments were offered during the hearing. The council’s routine procedural actions were completed without debate.
