Coolidge Council approves fee changes, small contracts and pilot same‑day meeting; manufactured‑homes moratorium tabled

The Coolidge City Council met April 14 and approved a series of routine resolutions, a small public‑works repair and a procedural trial for May, while tabling a proposed moratorium on manufactured homes.

Mayor Elizabeth Leger opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. and the council moved quickly through consent items, approving amended February minutes and March minutes and authorizing bills to be paid. City Manager Lonnie Adamson III provided a written administrative report; Police Chief Hickman said the department plans to offer citizen classes on safety and weather preparedness.

On business items, councilmembers unanimously approved two new permit fees: a $100 demolition permit fee and a $100 Land Use Compliance Permit fee. Both measures passed on motions with recorded seconds and unanimous votes.

The council approved a GATCS contract agreement and a $3,500 repair of the roof at Well House #4 on Highway 319; the repair will be paid from the Water/Sewer Fund. Council also approved Capital City Cyclist’s use of the City Hall parking lot for the Tour of Thomasville on June 20, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and ratified two community events: Spring Cardboard Recycling Week (April 13–17) and Spring Clean Week (April 20–25).

Council approved increasing Judge Richard Kent’s monthly service fee from $450 to $550, effective July 2026. Members also approved a trial same‑day workshop/council meeting for May 2026 as a one‑time trial run. A proposed moratorium on manufactured homes was discussed but tabled for future consideration. The council approved a Georgia Cities Week resolution added to the agenda earlier in the meeting.

The meeting included an executive session held under O.C.G.A. § 50‑14‑3(a)(1) for staff investigation purposes. After returning to open session, the council adjourned by unanimous vote.

Votes at a glance • Approval of amended February 2026 minutes — Motion: Monica Harper; Second: W.C. Smith; Vote: Monica Harper—aye; W.C. Smith—aye; Melissa Johnson—aye; Tonia Gentry—aye; Outcome: approved. • Approval of March 2026 minutes — Motion: Tonia Gentry; Second: W.C. Smith; Vote: Melissa Johnson—aye; Monica Harper—aye; Outcome: approved. • Demolition permit fee ($100) — Motion: Monica Harper; Second: W.C. Smith; Vote: unanimous; Outcome: approved (resolution). • Land Use Compliance Permit fee ($100) — Motion: W.C. Smith; Second: Monica Harper; Vote: unanimous; Outcome: approved (resolution). • GATCS contract agreement — Motion: Monica Harper; Second: Tonia Gentry; Vote: unanimous; Outcome: approved (contract). • Well House #4 roof repair ($3,500; Water/Sewer Fund) — Motion: Tonia Gentry; Second: Monica Harper; Vote: unanimous; Outcome: approved (repair funded). • Judge Richard Kent monthly fee increase ($450 → $550, effective July 2026) — Motion: Monica Harper; Second: Melissa Johnson; Vote: unanimous; Outcome: approved. • Same‑day workshop/council meeting (May 2026 trial) — Motion: Monica Harper; Second: Tonia Gentry; Vote: unanimous; Outcome: approved (trial). • Moratorium on manufactured homes — Action: tabled; Outcome: tabled/no action. • Georgia Cities Week resolution — Motion: Melissa Johnson; Second: W.C. Smith; Vote: unanimous; Outcome: approved.

What it means Most actions taken were routine administrative or operational approvals that do not change policy substantially. The council’s unanimous votes indicate broad agreement among members present. The tabling of the manufactured‑homes moratorium leaves that issue open for future discussion, and the executive session indicates the council addressed a staff investigative matter permitted under state law.

The council adjourned after re‑entering open session.