City of Alamo Sets Hearing Dates, Elects New Mayor Pro Tem
Meeting on Monday, February 10, the Alamo City Council tackled a number of housekeeping items, including contracting for accounting services and electing a new Mayor Pro Tem. The Council also announced hearing dates for gathering public input on opting out of Georgia House Bill 581.
The Council approved contracting with CPA Chris Milton of McRae for accounting services in 2025 at a fee of $15,600. Milton has provided these services to the City in the past. The Council also approved going forward with a plan to clear 3400 linear feet of waterways within the city, including several creeks. The cost of work will be reimbursed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Council also gave a nod to contracting with the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission to facilitate a Community Block Grant for sewer upgrades.
The Council discussed replacing current City Attorney Russell Clark, who has announced that he is retiring, but deferred action on the matter until a future meeting.
Laura Brownley was elected new Mayor Pro Tem, replacing Dondrea Geter.
The Council agreed to set public hearings for public input on opting out of HB 581. Also known as the “Save Our Homes Act,” HB581 was passed last year by the General Assembly and approved by 63% of Georgia voters in a November referendum.
The measure creates three major components related to property taxes: a statewide floating homestead exemption; a new local option sales tax; and procedural property taxes. The bill was signed into law on April 18, 2024, but was contingent on the passage of an amendment to the State Constitution, which voters approved in the November referendum. The measure went into effect statewide on January 1, but its passage may not guarantee it is put into motion in every county.
Any local government entity is allowed to opt out of the bill, but the choice must be made in the form of a resolution by March 1. Three hearings to allow for public reaction are a requirement of the opt out. The City of Alamo will hold hearings at City Hall, 7 West Main Street in Alamo, on Thursday, February 20, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., and on Friday, February 21 at 10 a.m.
The City’s next regular session is scheduled for 6 p.m., Monday, March 17, at City Hall in downtown Alamo.
