Minutes for July 7 & 14, 2023 Public Hearings

City Council

City of Winterville

City Hall - 125 N Church Street -Winterville, GA 30683

Minutes - Public Hearing #1 July 7, 2026 6:00 p.m.

The Winterville Mayor and Council have tentatively adopted a 2026 millage rate which will

require an increase in property taxes by 59.8 percent. All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax increase to be held at City Hall (Council Chambers), 125 N Church St on July 7, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.

Additional public hearings on the proposed tax will be held at City Hall (Council Chambers), 125 N Church St, Winterville, GA, on July 14, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. and at City Hall (Council Chambers, 125 N Church St on July 14, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.

This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 4.5 mills, an increase of 1.684 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 2.816 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $400,000 is approximately $269.44 and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $500,000 is approximately $336.80.

Mayor Ferrelle (who attend via Zoom) opened the first of three public hearings at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday July 7, 2026 in Winterville City Hall. Also in attendance were Councilpersons Bruce Johnson, Jonathan Mosley, and Timothy Pierce-Tomlin, along with City Clerk Wendy Bond.

Five residents signed up to speak and their comments were heard and all questions and concerns were addressed. Each person was allowed 3 minutes to speak.

Mayor Ferrelle closed the public hearing at 6:15 p.m.

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Minutes - Public Hearing #2 July 14, 2026 11:00 a.m.

Mayor Ferrelle opened the second of three public hearings at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday July 14, 2026 in Winterville City Hall. Also in attendance were Timothy Pierce-Tomlin, Heidi Spratlin, along with City Clerk Wendy Bond.

Three residents signed up to speak and their comments were heard and all questions and concerns were addressed. Each person was allowed 3 minutes to speak.

Mayor Ferrelle closed the public hearing at 11:15 a.m.

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Minutes - Public Hearing #3 July 14, 2026 6:00 p.m.

Mayor Ferrelle opened the third of three public hearings at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday July 14, 2026 in Winterville City Hall. Also in attendance were Bruce Johnson, Jonathan Mosley, Timothy Pierce Tomlin, Heidi Spratlin, along with City Clerk Wendy Bond.

Three residents signed up to speak and their comments were heard and all questions and concerns were addressed. Each person was allowed 3 minutes to speak.

Mayor Ferrelle closed the public hearing at 6:17 p.m.

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The Mayor and City Council held their regular City Council meeting on July 14, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at Winterville City Hall, 125 N Church Street, Winterville, Georgia.

Attendees:

Mayor Dodd Ferrelle; Mayor Pro-Tem, Bruce Johnson; Councilpersons Jonathan Mosley, Heidi Spratlin, and Timothy Pierce-Tomlin; and City Clerk Wendy Bond.

Mayor Ferrelle called the meeting to order at 6:17 p.m.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Approval of Minutes:

Councilperson Spratlin moved to approve the minutes of June 9, 2026. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Pierce-Tomlin and unanimously approved.

Unfinished Business

New Business

The First Item of New Business: 2026 Millage Rate. Councilperson Mosley moved to adopt the millage rate at 2.900 mills. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Spratlin and unanimously approved. Mayor Ferrelle noted this marks the 27th consecutive year the City has maintained this millage rate.

Councilperson Pierce-Tomlin presented a video regarding the city’s overall budget.

Bruce Johnson commented on the tax benefits and the City’s budget.

The Second Item of New Business: Natural Area, Walking Path. Councilperson Johnson moved to table this item until next month. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Pierce-Tomlin and unanimously tabled.

The Third Item of New Business: Project: Parkview Rd, Sidewalk. Councilperson Johnson

moved to table this item until next month. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Pierce Tomlin and unanimously tabled.

The Fourth Item of New Business: Art Gallery Painting. Councilperson Pierce-Tomlin moved to approve $1,800.00 in SPLOST 2020 funds to repaint the second-floor art gallery walls. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Spratlin and unanimously approved.

The Fifth Item of New Business: Pittard Park Playground Project. (Additional agenda item

added by vote.) Councilperson Pierce-Tomlin moved to approve the SPG plan (including a skate park and small pavilion) as presented, with the exception that the parking lot be excluded. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Spratlin and was unanimously approved.

Public Finance – (Councilpersons Mosley & Johnson): Councilperson Mosley gave a brief update. Clerk Bond had prepared financial statements through June 30, 2026. Documents are available for public review upon request. Departments will begin compiling their budgets soon for the 2027 budget.

Public Safety (Councilperson Pierce-Tomlin & Spratlin): Councilperson Spratlin gave a verbal

report. Chief Young spoke about the use of Flock cameras and their benefits.

Fire Department – Chief Gabriel submitted a written report.

Police Department – No additional report.

Public Works – (Councilperson Johnson and Mosley) Councilperson Johnson spoke about the Pittard Park playground project. The Winterville Civitan Club applied for a grant on behalf of the City and was awarded $62,500.00. Civitan also contributed an additional $39,000 the City’s match will be approximately $13,000.00 SPLOST funds.

Phase I of the project will be installation of a Wee-Go-Round, which is wheelchair accessible and promotes fun interaction by having all users face each other. It can be turned from the inside or outside, allowing everyone to participate in the fun. The base is flush with surrounding surfacing for easy wheelchair roll-on. Public Works provided the labor to demolish and remove the old merry-go-round equipment and surface.

Phase II of the project will be a Flex-Swing. This all-new, fully inclusive thrill ride lets kids

recline while swinging, creating an entirely different sensation from standard swings. Wide open sides offer plenty of transfer area and its size allows for multiple users for added fun.

Phases III & IV will be larger expansion plans.

Communications – (Councilperson Pierce-Tomlin & Spratlin) Councilperson Pierce-Tomlin gave a verbal report. The July-September Gazette is out.

Cultural Center – No report.

Museum Report – No report.

Library Report – Sam Watson gave a verbal report. The library is working on an expansion grant for the Winterville library.

Clerk’s Report – No report.

City Attorney’s Report – No report.

Mayor’s Report – Mayor Ferrelle gave a brief verbal report.

Public Comments – None.

Councilperson Pierce-Tomlin moved to go into Executive Session at 7:00 p.m. for a personnel matter. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mosley and unanimously approved.

Councilperson Pierce-Tomlin moved to close the Executive Session at 7:20 p.m. and return to regular session. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Johnson and unanimously approved.

Adjournment: Councilperson Johnson moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded by

Councilperson Pierce-Tomlin. The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

Wendy L. Bond, Municipal Clerk