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Lake Park council approves GEFA loan resolution, Lowndes County water agreement and several maintenance and personnel actions
Summary
At its Nov. 4 meeting, the Lake Park City Council unanimously approved a GEFA loan resolution, a Lowndes County water-line agreement, contracts for tree removal and tool purchases, and the hiring of two officers; multiple routine budget and project items were also addressed.
Lake Park’s City Council approved a package of administrative, maintenance and personnel actions during its Nov. 4, 2025 regular meeting, including a resolution needed to complete loan documentation for the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) and an agreement to extend a Lowndes County water line toward the Escalera project.
The council, meeting at City Hall, unanimously passed the GEFA loan resolution after City Clerk Lisa Johnson read the required language; Council Member Michelle Lane moved the resolution and Council Member Oscar Griffith seconded. The meeting record shows the vote passed 3-0. Johnson had told the council earlier that outside opinion letters and the contract documents had been received and that a resolution was required to finish the loan package.
In unfinished business the council also approved a proposal for Lowndes County to extend its water line from the county’s stop point at Chauncey Drugs to serve the Escalera project; Oscar Griffith moved and Michelle Lane seconded the motion, which passed 3-0. The council revalidated quotes for a badge-entry system but tabled that item for further discussion.
On maintenance and small capital items, the council approved a $2,500 allocation from SPLOST VIII for Public Works to purchase landscaping and hand tools to improve crew efficiency (motion recorded and passed 3-0). Separately, the council voted to contract Bennett Tree Service for $2,700 to remove dead trees at Gordon and Lake Avenue; the hydrant repair in front of Dollar General on Lakes Blvd. was discussed but tabled pending additional quotes.
On budgeting, the council voted to reallocate $2,784.05 from a prior July 4th allocation to the Special Event fund to support the upcoming Christmas event; Volunteer Justin Sandlin presented the proposed FY2026 Special Event budget during the meeting. City Clerk Johnson said the DOT parade permit for the Christmas event was still pending.
After an executive session on personnel, real estate and minutes review, the council returned to open session and approved hiring Officer Artavious Verdell full-time and hiring Officer Garrett (motions recorded and passed unanimously). The meeting adjourned, and the next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 2, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Votes at a glance: - Approval of Oct. 7, 2025 minutes — Motion: Michelle Lane; Second: Oscar Griffith; Outcome: passed, 3-0. - $2,500 SPLOST VIII tool purchase for Public Works — Outcome: passed, 3-0. - GEFA loan resolution — Outcome: passed, 3-0. - Agreement with Lowndes County to extend water line to Escalera project — Outcome: passed, 3-0. - Reallocate $2,784.05 to Special Event fund — Outcome: passed, 3-0. - Contract Bennett Tree Service for $2,700 — Outcome: passed, 3-0. - Hire Officer Artavious Verdell (full-time) — Outcome: passed, 3-0. - Hire Officer Garrett — Outcome: passed, 3-0.
The council also directed follow-up on the hydrant repair to seek additional quotes and left the badge-entry system under further review. Financial reports and an audit of restricted funds (to close out ARPA and SPLOST VIII) were discussed; the clerk said adjusted entries were completed and the next step is allocation of suspense funds ahead of planned capital projects.
(Reporting draws from meeting minutes and motions recorded in the Nov. 4, 2025 council record.)
