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Brooks Town Council approves 4.9% trash-rate increase and several routine motions
Summary
The Brooks Town Council unanimously approved a 4.9% trash-rate increase to pass through a CPI-driven hike from contractor AmWaste and approved routine agenda items including minutes, an audit engagement and the deaccession of 304 library books. Council also reviewed finance and stormwater updates.
The Brooks Town Council on July 17 unanimously approved a 4.9% increase in residential trash rates to pass through a Consumer Price Index adjustment announced by contractor AmWaste, and approved several routine motions including agenda and minutes approvals, an audit engagement and the deaccession of 304 library books.
Lorey Spohr, the town clerk and finance officer, told the council that AmWaste (formerly Dependable Waste) notified the town on May 25 that it would raise its rates effective July 1, 2023, and that the town’s corresponding rate change would take effect Oct. 1, 2023. The council approved the 4.9% increase on a motion by Council Member Todd Speer, seconded by Council Member Scott Israel; the vote was unanimous.
Why it matters: The council’s action passes contractor costs to residents rather than using general-fund reserves. Spohr also reviewed June financials showing year-to-date increases in sales-tax–related revenue: SPLOST was up 7.18% and LOST up 8.96% compared with the same period last year. The 2017 SPLOST referendum ended June 30, 2023, leaving $409,846 available for remaining 2017 projects; revenue from the new 2023 SPLOST referendum began in July.
Votes at a glance: - Agenda approval: Motion by Scott Israel; seconded by Todd Speer; unanimous yes (Council Members Kay Brumbelow, Brian Davis, Scott Israel, Todd Speer). (SEG 005) - June 26, 2023 minutes approval: Motion by Todd Speer; seconded by Kay Brumbelow; unanimous yes. (SEG 005) - June 26 executive session minutes approval: Motion by Scott Israel; seconded by Brian Davis; unanimous yes. (SEG 005) - Trash-rate increase (4.9%): Motion by Todd Speer; seconded by Scott Israel; unanimous yes. Effective date for the town is Oct. 1, 2023; AmWaste’s increase effective July 1, 2023. (SEG 006–SEG 007) - Audit engagement approval: Motion by Brian Davis; seconded by Kay Brumbelow; unanimous yes. (SEG 012–SEG 013) - Library deaccession (304 books, total value $485.83): Motion by Todd Speer; seconded by Scott Israel; unanimous yes. (SEG 013) - Adjournment: Motion by Kay Brumbelow; seconded by Brian Davis; unanimous yes. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. (SEG 017)
Other business covered in the meeting: Planning and zoning staff reported inquiries about a property-owner fence-line clearing on Hwy 85 Connector (no permit submitted); recreation staff gave updates on youth sports signups and a delayed construction timeline for a fundraiser project; town manager and county crews reported on creek restoration at Brooks Park and the removal of a beaver dam that had blocked culverts under Woods Road.
The public portion of the meeting closed at 8:02 p.m. for an executive session; the council reconvened and adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
