The first of two regularly scheduled monthly meetings of the Eatonton City Council was held June 2, with city leaders approving road improvement funding applications, a fire service agreement with Putnam County, and the purchase of a vehicle for the city’s fire chief.
Before addressing those items, the council approved a retail package beer-and-wine license for the BP store at 207 E. Sumter St., formerly Y&M Market. City Administrator Gary Sanders said the request was tied to a change in ownership and that all required advertising and public notice requirements had been met.
The council’s first major action was approving a resolution to apply for $144,528 in Local Road Assistance (LRA) funding through the Georgia Department of Transportation.
“For the purpose of LRA funds, we’ve identified patching projects on Industrial Boulevard at Hogan Industrial Boulevard, and also the milling and resurfacing of Lower Harmony Road,” Sanders said.
Ward 4 Councilmember Teresa Doster said the recommendation came from the Streets, Buildings, and Grounds Committee after members reviewed the city’s infrastructure needs.
Council also unanimously approved a resolution authorizing Mayor John Reid to apply for the state’s 2027 Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) program. Sanders said city officials expect the application period to open soon and plan to combine LMIG funding with the LRA allocation to complete the same road projects.
“We expect it in the next couple of weeks or so for maybe $120,000 to $130,000 with a 30% required local match,” Sanders said.
In another unanimous vote, the council approved an automatic aid agreement with Putnam County for fire services. Sanders said the agreement formalizes procedures already outlined in the city’s and county’s service delivery strategy and helps document cooperative emergency responses.
Ward 2 Councilmember James Gorley, chairman of the Public Safety Committee, said the agreement could ultimately benefit residents through lower homeowner insurance costs.
“All of this adds to an ISO-rated punch number that we get for helping us lower our ISO rating, which helps lower the cost of homeowner insurance,” Gorley said. “That is the main focus of this agreement.”
Council members also approved the use of Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds to purchase a vehicle for Eatonton Fire Chief Jamey Williamson. Sanders said Williamson’s previous city-issued vehicle had been removed from service and that the chief has been using his personal vehicle for official duties and travel.
“He has been due a vehicle for some time,” Sanders said, adding that the city plans to purchase a 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe through a government contract pricing program. No purchase price was disclosed.
During committee reports, Doster said E.R. Snell has largely completed paving work throughout downtown Eatonto. However, the final striping and reflective road markers will not be installed until the pavement has cured. She also thanked Eatonton Public Works Director Billy Hawkins for helping identify infrastructure needs across the city.
“He’s our eyeballs all the time,” Doster said. “If you see him, tell him, ‘Thank you.’”
Doster also noted that a Boy Scout work project is underway along the city’s trail system at the Butterflies & Blooms garden north of downtown. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be scheduled once the project is completed.
Economic Development Committee Chair Marie Rainey highlighted the upcoming Downtown Get Down concert, which will feature Macon-based roots rock band Roofdog from 7-10 p.m. Saturday at City Center Stage behind Barrel 118.
Finally, Councilmember Michael Smith, representing Wards 2 and 3, reminded fellow council members to complete their personal financial disclosure statements before the next scheduled council meeting on June 15 at 7 p.m. He also informed them that future filings will be submitted directly to the state in accordance with the requirements established by House Bill 199.