Demorest council approves city manager contract 3–1, awards July 4 fireworks and signs multiple intergovernmental agreements

The Demorest City Council on Feb. 4 approved a slate of routine and contract items and heard public questions about code enforcement and local infrastructure.

Mayor Jerry Harkness opened the meeting and the council first approved the meeting agenda and the Jan. 7 minutes. During the public-comment period, Ronnie Tench asked for an update on fire consolidation discussions and code enforcement at 493 Long Street, and Marie Evans asked about the status of the Johnny Gunn property and when House Bill 581 would be discussed with the council. Councilman Andrew Ferguson also requested permission to hold yard sales in April and September; Mayor Harkness announced a planning and development meeting for Feb. 11 at 5:30 p.m.

The most consequential decision at the meeting was the council’s vote to offer City Manager Mark Musselwhite the contract as written. The motion, moved by Councilman Donnie Bennett and seconded by Councilman Shawn Allen, passed with three votes in favor and one against (Councilman Jimmy Davis). The council did not provide additional contract details in the meeting minutes beyond the final vote.

The council also made several unanimous or near‑unanimous operational decisions. After a work-session presentation, the council authorized contracting with Tokio Marine for general liability coverage and Cowbell for cyber insurance (motion by Councilman Andrew Ferguson; seconded by Councilman Jimmy Davis). The council endorsed proceeding with the Georgia Municipal Association’s mandated PTSD program coverage and authorized City Manager Mark Musselwhite to investigate increasing the coverage limit if needed.

For the city’s July 4 celebration the council reviewed two bids — Pyrotecnico at $27,500 and Sky‑High Pyrotechnics at $20,625 — and approved contracting with Pyrotecnico (motion by Councilman Donnie Bennett; seconded by Councilman Jimmy Davis). The council approved multiple intergovernmental agreements and operational items, including an intergovernmental agreement for a training facility in Baldwin and a memorandum of agreement for automatic aid with the City of Cornelia Fire Department. The downtown development authority (DDA) resignation of Rebecca Godwin was accepted (with the note that the resignation is not legally final until a replacement is found), and DDA bank signers were updated to Jim Welborn and Mark Musselwhite. The council also approved a lease with Food 4 Kids as negotiated by the city manager and mayor.

In his manager’s report, Mark Musselwhite told the council that the City of Toccoa will raise its water rate from $3.21 to $3.30 per thousand gallons effective Jan. 1, 2025; staff are collecting pavilion upgrade quotes; the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) approved a grant for a lights trailer and a backhoe; the GALA is scheduled Thursday at 5:15 p.m.; and department head reports and December financials were reviewed.

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Accept agenda as presented: mover Jimmy Davis; second Jimmy Davis; outcome recorded as approved (4–0). - Approve Jan. 7 minutes: mover Andrew Ferguson; second Jimmy Davis; approved (3–0). - Contract with Tokio Marine (liability) and Cowbell (cyber): mover Andrew Ferguson; second Jimmy Davis; approved (3–0). - Proceed with GMA PTSD mandated coverage: mover Jimmy Davis; second Andrew Ferguson; approved (3–0). - Contract Pyrotecnico for July 4 fireworks ($27,500 bid selected over $20,625 alternative): mover Donnie Bennett; second Jimmy Davis; approved (3–0). - Offer city manager contract as written: mover Donnie Bennett; second Shawn Allen; approved (3–1; Councilman Jimmy Davis opposed). - Accept resignation of Rebecca Godwin from DDA: mover Shawn Allen; second Andrew Ferguson; approved (4–0). - Update DDA bank signers to Jim Welborn and Mark Musselwhite: mover Shawn Allen; second Andrew Ferguson; approved (4–0). - Proceed with IGA for training facility in Baldwin: mover Jimmy Davis; second Andrew Ferguson; approved (4–0). - Approve MOA for automatic aid with City of Cornelia Fire Department: mover Jimmy Davis; second Andrew Ferguson; approved (4–0). - Approve Food 4 Kids lease: mover Donnie Bennett; second Andrew Ferguson; approved (4–0).

What’s next / context - Several items approved were described as following work‑session discussion; no additional public hearings or formal contract terms were read into the record at this meeting. Members of the public asked for updates on code enforcement at 493 Long Street, the Johnny Gunn property and the Hazel Creek Bridge; the minutes indicate these matters were noted for follow up but no formal actions were taken on them at the Feb. 4 meeting.