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Jenkinsburg council sets 2025 millage at 14.4%, swears in new members and approves appointments
Summary
At its Jan. 12 meeting, the Jenkinsburg City Council swore in three members whose terms begin Jan. 1, 2026, set the 2025 city millage rate at 14.4% with a rollback for LOST income credit, reappointed officials and approved two community events.
The Jenkinsburg City Council on Jan. 12, 2026, swore in newly elected members, set the city's 2025 tax millage rate at 14.4% with a rollback to zero for LOST income credit, and approved a slate of appointments and two community events.
City Clerk Debi Smith administered oaths to Joye England, Jason Watts and Gary Brown; the transcript records their terms beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Mayor Eddie Ford called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and confirmed a quorum.
Council business proceeded through a series of motions recorded as passed by unanimous recorded votes among the five voting council members listed in the roll-call votes. Jason Watts moved to adopt the meeting agenda; Gary Brown seconded. The council later voted to approve the Dec. 8, 2025 minutes after a motion from Watts and a second from Gary Roberts.
On leadership and appointments, Gary Brown moved to re-elect Jason Watts as Mayor Pro-Tem; Brent Eberspacher seconded and the council voted to re-elect Watts. The council appointed Chris Foster to the Planning and Zoning Commission and reappointed Towana Brown, Allison Lunsford, Mike Rape and Charles Barber. The council also approved a slate of 2026 appointments, including Debi Smith as city clerk/treasurer, Cody Sorrow as deputy city clerk, Kent Lawrence as city attorney, Natalie Sundeen as municipal court judge, Brandy Strickland as court clerk, William Turner as indigent defense attorney, Chris Miranda (James Brannan, Groover LLP) as solicitor, and Debra McGlaun as auditor; Jason Watts moved to approve the appointments and Gary Roberts seconded.
On fiscal policy, the council voted to set the 2025 city tax millage rate at 14.4% and to roll the millage back to zero for LOST income credit; the motion was introduced by Jason Watts and seconded by Gary Roberts. The motion passed on a recorded vote with the five listed council members voting aye.
The council approved requests from Full Steam Ahead Events for two upcoming community activities: a ribbon-cutting scheduled for Feb. 20, 2026, with the condition that the organizer seek council approval before future events, and an Easter egg hunt planned for March 29, 2026. Both motions were moved by Jason Watts and carried on recorded unanimous votes.
Mayor Eddie Ford's report and a staff report were presented; the transcript notes no action was required on either. A public comment period was listed with no substantive items recorded in the provided transcript lines. Mayor Ford adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
Minutes were recorded by City Clerk Debi Smith.
