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Woodbine council adopts 2024 millage rollback, raises utility rates and approves SPLOST IX IGA
Summary
At its Dec. 2 meeting, the Woodbine City Council adopted a rollback of the 2024 millage rate to 2.740, approved residential and commercial water and sewer rate increases, renewed five alcohol licenses and approved an intergovernmental SPLOST IX agreement on a 2-1 vote. The council also approved an appointment and a land-swap settlement following executive session.
The Woodbine City Council on Dec. 2 adopted a rollback of the 2024 millage rate from 3.0 to 2.740 and approved a package of administrative and policy actions that included water and sewer rate increases, a credit card fee increase, renewal of five alcohol licenses and the approval of an intergovernmental agreement for SPLOST IX.
Mayor Kizzie Knight opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. and noted Councilors C.C. Higginbotham Jr., Rick Baird and Phyllis Drummond were present along with City Administrator Samantha Young and City Clerk Marissa Pacheco. After departmental updates and a brief public comment in which Kevin Walker complimented the Christmas lights at Theater Park, the council moved to new business.
On the tax roll, Councilor C.C. Higginbotham moved and Councilor Phyllis Drummond seconded adoption of a millage rollback, lowering the rate from 3.0 to 2.740; the motion was unanimously approved, Mayor Knight declared. A rollback reduces the millage used to calculate property taxes; the minutes record the new rate but do not provide a projected revenue impact or the effective date beyond the 2024 tax year.
The council then handled a slate of routine and administrative items. Councilor C.C. Higginbotham moved and Councilor Phyllis Drummond seconded approval of alcohol license renewals for Woodbine IGA, Snappy Foods #21, Capt. Stan's Smokehouse, MMCS Services (Truck Stop) and Luxe & Loco d/b/a Hypsy Gypsy; the motion was unanimously approved. The council also approved an updated defined benefit retirement plan by unanimous vote.
On utilities, Councilor Rick Baird moved and Councilor C.C. Higginbotham seconded approval of increases to residential and commercial water and sewer rates; the minutes note the motion passed unanimously but do not list new rate schedules or dollar amounts. The council likewise approved an increase to credit card fees; the minutes do not specify the fee percentage or amount.
In a split vote, the council approved an Intergovernmental Agreement for SPLOST IX. Councilor Rick Baird moved the IGA and Councilor Phyllis Drummond seconded; Rick Baird and Phyllis Drummond voted in favor while C.C. Higginbotham voted against. Mayor Knight declared the motion approved. The minutes do not include the terms of the IGA or the specific projects tied to the SPLOST IX allocation.
Councilor Rick Baird moved, seconded by C.C. Higginbotham, to appoint Dr. Robert T. Baird to the Camden County Joint Development Authority; the appointment was approved unanimously. Earlier in the meeting Mayor Knight and City Administrator Samantha Young recognized Dr. Baird with a proclamation and a lifetime achievement award for community service.
The council recessed into an executive session at 7:38 p.m. and reconvened at 7:52 p.m. After the session Mayor Knight reported the council had agreed to approve a land-swap settlement with Kelley's Scrap Metal; Councilor C.C. Higginbotham moved and Councilor Phyllis Drummond seconded the motion to approve the settlement, which the minutes record as unanimously approved and declared by Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell.
The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
Votes at a glance
- Alcohol license renewals (Woodbine IGA; Snappy Foods #21; Capt. Stan's Smokehouse; MMCS Services—Truck Stop; Luxe & Loco d/b/a Hypsy Gypsy): mover C.C. Higginbotham; seconder Phyllis Drummond; outcome: unanimously approved.
- 2024 millage rollback (from 3.0 to 2.740): mover C.C. Higginbotham; seconder Phyllis Drummond; outcome: unanimously approved.
- Appointment: Dr. Robert T. Baird to Camden County Joint Development Authority: mover Rick Baird; seconder C.C. Higginbotham; outcome: unanimously approved.
- SPLOST IX Intergovernmental Agreement: mover Rick Baird; seconder Phyllis Drummond; votes: Rick Baird—yes; Phyllis Drummond—yes; C.C. Higginbotham—no; outcome: approved.
- Restated Defined Benefit Retirement Plan: mover C.C. Higginbotham; seconder Phyllis Drummond; outcome: unanimously approved.
- Residential and commercial water/sewer rate increases: mover Rick Baird; seconder C.C. Higginbotham; outcome: unanimously approved; specific new rates not specified in the minutes.
- Credit card fee increase: mover C.C. Higginbotham; seconder Rick Baird; outcome: unanimously approved; fee amount not specified in the minutes.
- Kelley's Scrap Metal land-swap settlement: mover C.C. Higginbotham; seconder Phyllis Drummond; outcome: unanimously approved following executive session.
What the minutes do and do not show
The minutes record motions, seconders and outcomes for each listed item but generally do not provide supporting detail such as proposed new water/sewer rates, revenue estimates for the millage rollback, or terms of the SPLOST IX intergovernmental agreement. Public comment was limited and recorded as a single compliment about Christmas lights at Theater Park. The council used an executive session to discuss a land-swap settlement and then voted to approve the agreement upon reconvening.
Next steps
The minutes do not list effective dates for the millage change or the utilities rate adjustments, nor do they include the SPLOST IX project list or funding schedule. Interested residents should contact the City Clerk or City Administrator for the official ordinances, rate schedules and agreement documents referenced in the minutes.
