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Ocilla council approves $500,000 tax anticipation note, confirms appointments and hears resident safety requests
Summary
Council approved a $500,000 tax anticipation note at 5.10% interest, confirmed planning and library appointments, approved an alcohol license and interim clerk appointment, and heard resident requests for speed bumps and lighting; most motions passed unanimously.
The City of Ocilla Council on Dec. 15 approved a set of routine and financial items and heard several resident requests for traffic-calming and lighting improvements.
Council approved a $500,000 tax anticipation note from Community Bank at a 5.10% interest rate to meet near-term cash-flow needs. The motion passed with Council Members Lisa Cook, Mayor Pro Tem Chris Paulk, Patrice Manley and Clae Wynn voting in favor.
The council confirmed two appointments to the Ocilla/Irwin County Planning & Advisory Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals — Karsen Wynn and Mariah Walker — and appointed Shirley Edwards Matthews to the Irwin County Library Board of Trustees. The council also approved an alcohol license application for Nick’s Restaurant LLC (3–1, Council Member Patrice Manley opposed) and accepted special resolutions honoring Council Members Lisa Cook and Lemora Moses for their years of service.
Council appointed Donna Prather as Interim Municipal Court Clerk and approved the proposed 2026 holiday calendar; both actions passed unanimously among present members. Department heads submitted monthly reports: Chief of Police Bill Barrs said "everything is going good" and said he is looking to designate a community officer to read at the school to increase community engagement; Director Bruce Wilder submitted the Utility and Street Department report.
Several local concerns were raised during council reports and member remarks. Council Member Lisa Cook said residents on Lakewood Drive near Kirk Lane, and residents on McKinley Street, are requesting speed bumps because of speeding. Council Member Patrice Manley reported that homeowners on 6th and 7th streets had contractors who did not complete cleanup and debris removal. Council Member Clae Wynn asked about lighting at the end of 5th Street and suggested using Secure Record Solution to digitize city documents. Mayor Pro Tem Chris Paulk said, "I think the Board has bonded and they are on the same page," and emphasized the need for an audit plan.
Votes at a glance: the meeting record shows unanimous approval (4–0) among members present for routine approvals of the agenda, prior minutes, planning and library appointments, the $500,000 tax anticipation note, interim clerk appointment and the holiday calendar. The personnel resolution passed 3–1; the alcohol license passed 3–1.
The council adjourned after an executive-session notation and signed the minutes; Mayor Melvin D. Harper II and City Clerk Donna R. Prather signed the meeting record.
