Fort Oglethorpe City Council adopts 2026 budget, approves rezoning for credit union and multiple contracts

Fort Oglethorpe City Council approved the city's 2026 fiscal year budget and a zoning amendment for 0555 Forest Road, and authorized several procurement contracts and an emergency utilities repair during a regularly scheduled meeting. All recorded motions passed with unanimous "I" votes.

The council approved Ordinance 2025-39, the city's 2026 fiscal year budget, on its third and final reading. Mr. Staltz presented the ordinance and Mayor Earl Gray called the vote; the motion carried unanimously.

Council members next approved Ordinance 2025-40, a zoning amendment requested by Kusa Valley Federal Credit Union associated with its merger with North Georgia Community Federal Credit Union to rezone tax parcel 003F 0555 Forest Road from C1 to C2. Mr. Staltz introduced the ordinance and the council voted to adopt it.

City Manager Miss Hugh reported a series of procurement and operational items, each approved by the council: - Workers' compensation renewal: The city's broker, Star Matthews, recommended renewing coverage with Key Risk. Miss Hugh said the renewal premium is $16,728, an approximate 2.8% increase tied to payroll growth; funding will come from the general and water and sewer funds. The council approved the renewal. - Police training turf: Miss Hugh explained the police department needs a permanent area to run applicant physical ability tests. Three bids were solicited; Howard Outdoors LLC submitted the lowest responsive, responsible bid at $19,850, to be paid from LOST funds. The council approved the procurement. - Meter-reading software renewal: Miss Hugh reported the public utilities department uses Neptune software from Delta Municipal Supply Company and recommended renewal; the transcript lists a renewal figure that is unclear. The council approved the renewal; the expenditure was identified as coming from the water and sewer fund. - Maintenance facility lighting and motors: Miss Hugh said the original pole-barn lighting is decades old and bay-door motors are needed. Crump Electric provided the lowest responsive quote for lighting and electrical work and Gladen Equipment Company provided the lowest quote for bay door motors. Council approved contracts totaling $18,654, with $14,923.20 charged to the water and sewer fund and $3,730.80 to SPLOST. - Pipe casing contract modification: The council was notified of a prior $10,517.36 purchase of pipe casings to Piping Supply Company that ultimately required return and credit because additional parts were needed. After procuring ductile iron pipe to meet paving deadlines, Miss Hugh reported total project purchases of $13,132.88 and an approximate $2,615 contract increase charged to the water and sewer fund. The council approved the modification. - Emergency pump motor repair: Miss Hugh reported that one of two motors at the Lakeshore Drive pump station failed and Chattanooga Industrial Motors performed repairs and off-site diagnostics at a cost of $12,750, charged to the water and sewer fund; the council acknowledged and approved the emergency repair.

Why it matters: Adopting the budget sets the administration's spending priorities for the coming year and the rezoning clears the way for a credit union branch that will change permitted uses at the Forest Road parcel. The procurement approvals fund public safety training, utility reliability and maintenance-facility improvements.

The meeting concluded with a city manager report noting upcoming community events and council comments recognizing employee appreciation activities. The council then moved into an executive session to discuss real estate.