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Cochran manager reports on meters, parks and housing; council appoints bank VP to Housing Authority and postpones business-license fee change
Summary
City Manager Richard Newbern updated council on plans to explore AMI automated meter infrastructure, park projects including a $169,000 estimate for Willie Basby Park, a delayed tax digest that may postpone the millage decision, and ongoing work with a developer on a 60-lot subdivision tied to a potential $2 million rural workforce housing grant; council appointed Donna L. Smith to the Housing Authority and postponed business license fee adjustments until the clerk can present details.
City Manager Richard Newbern briefed the council on several operational and development matters during the Sept. 9 meeting.
On utilities, staff are exploring Automated Meter Infrastructure (AMI) options for water, sewer and natural gas meters after meetings with two vendors; the city is also inquiring about loan terms with the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia for converting over 800 natural gas meters. Mr. Newbern said tangible proposals are expected by the Oct. 14 meeting.
Park work includes finalizing specifications for Willie Basby Park with an anticipated cost of about $169,000 and continuing punch-list items at Cochran Community Park, where construction is largely complete but restroom delivery remains outstanding. Staff are advancing fencing and lighting design for the community park.
The preliminary tax digest from the tax commissioner is incomplete and not expected in full until Sept. 29, which could delay setting the millage rate until after Oct. 21; if property tax bills are delayed, the 60-day payment deadline would shift from the current Dec. 20 date. On housing development, Smith Douglas Homes continues work on a proposed 60-lot subdivision; staff are developing neighborhood grid maps and noted the city may pursue the December rural workforce housing grant cycle, which could provide about $2 million for infrastructure if the application is successful.
On appointments and other administrative actions, Mayor Billy Yeomans announced the appointment of Donna L. Smith, vice president of Citizens Bank in Cochran, to the Housing Authority for a five-year term beginning Nov. 20, 2025; no council objections were recorded. Separately, council postponed consideration of a proposed business license fee adjustment because City Clerk Candace Summerall, who prepared the proposal, was not present to explain it; the motion to postpone passed unanimously.
Council recessed into executive session for a personnel matter (the city manager’s 2025 performance evaluation) and returned before adjourning for the evening.
