City managers and department chiefs report mid‑year finances, emergency planning, police grant, and Safe Streets award

City Manager Robbie opened staff reports with a mid‑year financial update, saying the city is about 49.9% through the fiscal year and that the general fund shows roughly 51% expended — driven in part by insurance payments that bill biannually and higher engineering expenditures. “We are, 51% expended,” Robbie said, noting revenue collections were about 82% and advising the council that some budget adjustments may be required later in the year.

Fire Chief Brett reviewed December responses (two residential fires, one saved, one a total loss) and flagged a winter weather outlook that could bring freezing precipitation and power outages; he described warming‑shelter plans that scale from the fire station to City Hall and partnering churches. Police Chief Kevin Degu reported an uptick in calls and said the Georgia Chiefs approved a grant reduced from the requested amount; “they gave me 40,” he said, adding he will use the roughly $40,000 award to purchase computers for the department. Degu also announced a six‑week Citizens Police Academy beginning in March limited to 15 local residents or business owners. Economic Development Director Chris Montesinos described agritourism efforts and said the city received a $180,000 Safe Streets for All grant to fund a citywide transportation safety action plan kicking off next week with Federal Highway involvement.