Alamo Council Hears Uplifting Reports

Alamo’s City Council got some good news about its water system and fire department at a regular monthly session on March 25.

City Manager Jeff Floyd reported that the municipality is continuing to achieve higher rankings in annual audits of its water system. Floyd said, since 2016, the City has climbed from a score of 35 to 78 in evaluations conducted by the Environmental Protection Division. The EPD consistently monitors the efficiency and productivity of the City’s water system and issues findings each year.

Floyd explained that the City’s two wells, water lines, hydrants, and treatment facilities are monitored on a daily basis in an effort to detect leaks or other issues and to ensure consistent water production, distribution, and quality. The City installed digital water meters in 2022, which further enhanced efficiency, Floyd said.

On another front, the Council heard an uplifting report from Brian O’Quinn, Chief of the Alamo Volunteer Fire Department. O’Quinn said the Department has already put to good use a $9,572 Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant, which funded equipment purchases for the department including fire hoses, flashlights, a battery-powered chain saw, nozzles, and a wench. The City of Alamo shared the costs for the 50-50 grant with the GFC. Additionally, the Department received a state Fire Works Tax Grant for $15,000. The grant requires a 10% match from the City and will be used to purchase hoses, couplings, flashlights, and a ladder.

O’Quinn said the grant also funded new flow test equipment that will enable the department to conduct flow tests of city hydrants throughout the year. The tests are required to boost ISO (fire insurance) ratings and reduce home insurance costs. Previously, the department borrowed flow test equipment from neighboring Telfair County in order to conduct tests. O’Quinn also announced that the department will begin conducting pre-fire plans on commercial buildings in Alamo.

A number of housekeeping items were on the Council’s agenda, including the first reading of a new procurement ordinance. The measure, which aligns with state requirements, establishes a new policy for procurement procedures for purchases of goods and services by the City and repeals other ordinances and sections of ordinances that may conflict with it.

The Council also agreed to renew its employee medical insurance with Anthem Blue Cross/ Blue Shield. Although the policy pricing will increase by 5.99% in the next year, the Council determined continuing with the current company to be the best option. The City pays 80% of the cost of employees’ insurance, with employees paying the remainder of the premium. The new policy will go into effect on April 1.

Certified Public Accountant Richard Deal was selected by the Council to conduct the municipality’s annual audit. Deal, of Lanier, Deal, Proctor and & Bloser in Statesboro, conducted the City’s last audit for year 2022 at a cost of $13,250. The Council members agreed that they were favorably impressed with Deal’s work and voted to renew his contract. Deal submitted a bid of $12,000 to $14,000 for the audit, which was unchanged from the previous year.

The Council also renewed the contract of parttime Code Enforcement Officer Lekitte Holt-Robinson. The Council hired Holt-Robinson, a nationally- certified professional who is an inspector in the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, Investigative Division, in May 2023 to enforce the City’s ordinance for cleaning up and clearing derelict property. She is paid at a rate of $23.50 per hour plus mileage.

During the session, the Council agreed to hire a part-time, seasonal worker for city landscaping at a rate of $12 per hour. The employee will work for 20 hours weekly, from April through September.

City Police Chief Karen Zanders reported that in the previous month, her department answered 94 calls and collected $75 in fees/fines.