Danielsville city council is continuing to move forward with upgrading the city’s water system, voting this month to use SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) and general funds to purchase an integrated software system that will save the city money in the long run while improving water system record-keeping and billing process.
The council voted to spend approximately $16,639 in SPLOST funds and approximately $13,000 in the general fund to purchase the system and computer. City clerk Susan Payne says it currently costs the city roughly $10,000 per year to use the accounting services of Gainesville-based Capable Solutions and other services and pointed out that the “city doesn’t own any of it (software).”
“This is a much better system and will bring everything back in-house,” she said. “We can generate reports for the council on the spot, without the wait time.”
Higdon praised the council for voting to purchase the software saying he thinks it was “a very wise move for the city of Danielsville.”
The council also heard that installation of new radio-read water meters is continuing and is currently about 75 percent complete. The meters are also being purchased through SPLOST funds.
Mayor Todd Higdon said there have been multiple water leaks around the city recently and that the maintenance crew is working hard to stay on top of them.
In another matter, the council heard that plans for a fall festival have been “put on hold until further notice.” Higdon said the council would still love to hear from someone willing to take on the responsibility.
The council also passed a new yard sale ordinance that will no longer allow yard sales in the city hall parking lot. The ordinance will allow local non-profit groups to conduct fundraising events, but those groups must file for a permit at city hall at least 30 days prior to the scheduled event.
In other action, the council increased the city’s municipal fines at Monday night’s meeting to bring them more in line with the county and surrounding cities.
Mayor Higdon emphasized that the council is not aiming to make Danielsville a speed trap, but is simply attempting to give the police department a stronger deterrent to use to slow drivers down. He also pointed out that there has been a substantial increase in traffic since the original fine amounts were implemented.
“They (police officers) will be giving lots of warnings, but flagrant violators will be fined,” Higdon said.
Police chief Matt Pilkington agreed. “When you slow people down, it’s been proven you save lives,” he said.
In a related matter, the council accepted a bid by Akins Body Shop in Ila to repaint the 2006 Crown Victoria police cruiser at a cost of $1,100. They also agreed to allow Concept Graphics to re-letter the car for $230.
Pilkington told the council that Sergeant Scott Andrews of the Athens Post of the Georgia State Patrol was instrumental in obtaining the donation of two “push bars” (front bumper bars) for the city’s police cars, saving the city the over $800 it would have cost to purchase the bars.
In other business, the council voted to pay $6,296 to the Department of Labor as back payment for unemployment benefits received by former city clerk Connie Riley. The city was ordered to repay the unemployment funds of Riley, former maintenance worker Jerry Riley and former police chief Rodney Christian by the DOL.
