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Byron council appoints city attorney, approves intergovernmental LMIG agreement and adopts COVID-19 leave policy
Summary
At its Jan. 11 meeting the Byron Mayor and Council appointed Brian L. Causey as city attorney, approved a multi-jurisdiction LMIG memorandum of agreement, set election qualifying fees and adopted a limited COVID-19 paid-leave policy; most motions passed unanimously except the city attorney appointment and the leave policy, which drew a lone dissent from Council Member Rusty Adams.
The City of Byron Mayor and Council on Jan. 11 approved several administrative actions, including the appointment of Brian L. Causey as the city attorney for 2021 and adoption of a local COVID-19 employee leave policy.
Mayor Michael Chidester called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Municipal Complex Auditorium. Council Members present were James Richardson, Rusty Adams, Michael Chumbley, Chris Hodges and Alan Dorsey.
On the closest roll call of the evening, the council voted to appoint Brian L. Causey of Mincey & Sherlock, LLC as the City Attorney for 2021. Council Member Michael Chumbley moved the appointment, and Council Member James Richardson seconded. Council Member Rusty Adams asked why the appointment had not been discussed in the personnel committee; Mayor Chidester responded that Causey is not a city employee, that two others had expressed interest, and that Assistant City Administrator Tiffany Sandefur recommended Causey because of his lower rate and relevant experience. The vote was 4–1 in favor (Richardson, Chumbley, Hodges and Dorsey yes; Adams no). The motion passed.
The council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a multi-jurisdiction agreement for LMIG (Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant) work with Houston County, Warner Robins, Centerville, Perry, Hawkinsville, Pulaski County and Dooly County. The resolution was placed on file with the City Clerk.
Council also took several other routine actions: Betty Sims was appointed Election Superintendent (motion by Chris Hodges, seconded by Alan Dorsey) and a $90 qualifying fee for council candidates in the Nov. 2, 2021 general election was set (motion by Michael Chumbley, seconded by Chris Hodges); both votes were unanimous.
The council unanimously selected Grant Specialists of Georgia to write and administer the City’s 2021 Community Home Investment Program (CHIP) grant from two proposals submitted.
On personnel-related pandemic policy, Mayor Chidester explained that the federal 10‑day paid‑leave provision expired Dec. 31, 2020 and presented a local policy that would provide a single additional 10‑day paid leave cycle per employee; after that cycle, other measures would apply. The motion to adopt the COVID-19 policy passed 4–1, with Council Member Rusty Adams the sole dissenting vote.
The council adjourned at 6:18 p.m.
Actions at a glance - Appoint Betty Sims as Election Superintendent — unanimous. - Set $90 qualifying fee for council candidates (Nov. 2, 2021) — unanimous. - Appoint Brian L. Causey as City Attorney for 2021 — approved 4–1 (Adams opposed). - Approve LMIG multi-jurisdiction MOA — unanimous. - Select Grant Specialists of Georgia to administer CHIP grant — unanimous. - Adopt COVID-19 paid‑leave policy (one 10‑day cycle) — approved 4–1 (Adams opposed).
The council record shows motions, seconders and vote outcomes were recorded in the minutes; no further public hearings or votes were scheduled at the meeting.
