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BANKS COUNTY NEWS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2023
PARADISE ACRES OPENS
The Banks County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Paradise Acres, owned by Steve and Shannon Johnson.
The phone number is 470-261-8173 and the email address is paradiseacres2023@gmail.com. For more information on the
business, check out their website at www.paradiseacres.
NORTHEAST GEORGIA UPPER CERVICAL OPENS
The Banks County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Northeast Georgia Upper Cervical Clinics located at 6110
Banks Street in in Lula. Dr. Adrian Thane is the chiroprator. Dr. Thane is a certified provider of better cervical spine health.
Lula leaders discuss infrastructure improvements
By SHERRY LEWIS
The Lula City Council
held a work session last
week and discussed infra
structure improvements.
City Manager Dennis Ber-
gin presented six bids for a
870 foot water line exten
sion proposed for Belton
Bridge Road.
The bid ranged from
$110,326 to $231,000.
Right now, the bids are be
ing qualified line by line.
Bergin pointed out the cost
to run a linear foot of water
line will cost $126, which is
26 percent higher than the
last project.
In other business, Bergin
updated the council on well
said two
identified
are
exploration. He
sites have been
and at least two more
under consideration.
Bergin also discussed a
proposed capital improve
ment the waste water treat
ment plant as well about
cleaning and painting the
Chattahoochee water tank.
With two water tanks in
the city, it is possible to take
this tank out of service for
the project.
In other business the
council:
•voted to contribute
$1,500 to the expenses of
entertainment at the upcom
ing fall festival per a request
from the Lula Belton His
torical Society.
•discussed renewal of the
health insurance for em
ployees at an eight percent
increase.
•considered a Lula invest
ment policy. Council mem
bers are considering an in
vestment in 11-month CDs.
Bergin pointed out that the
return is at five percent,
presently.
•heard from Bergin who
said the annual pre-audit
would begin September 18,
and noted they should have
to the completed audit in
December.
•heard from Bergin who
said bid development is un
derway for culvert repairs
on Chattahoochee and Car
ter Streets.
•agreed to have movie
night at the Depot on Fri
day, October 6, at 6:30.
•discussed the Lula
Belton Historical Society
meeting set for Monday,
September 25, at 7 p.m.
BY HANNAH CAUDELL
The Homer City Council voted to roll back the millage
rate for the 2023-2024 fiscal year on at its September meet
ing and gave updates for different projects that the council
is working to complete and resolve.
After no one attended the public hearing concerning the
millage rate, the council voted to roll back the gross mill-
age rate by 3.41 mills, reducing the net millage rate to zero
mills. Council member Sandra Garrison motioned to ap
prove the rolled back rate, and all members were in favor.
The council also motioned to approve to begin request
ing bids for garbage rates in the city. The council will not
be sending out a formal request for proposal, but will be
contacting various contractors in the area.
The council approved the bid requests for Ivester & Sons
Grading Co. LLC during the meeting. The company won
the bid to repair piping on Thompson Street for $770. They
also won the bid to repair the shoulder and ditch below the
Banks County Courthouse for $7,000.
Updates about the roundabout, the well on Evans Street,
and the right of way issue were also discussed.
The Georgia Department of Transportation has mandat
ed that a roundabout be built on Historic Homer Highway
near the Dollar General and the Golden Pantry. The council
voiced concerns about truck traffic when construction will
take place, the time of which is currently undetermined.
Businesses in the area will be affected, with parking areas
being slated for removal to account for the construction.
More details concerning time of construction and road
availability will be provided at a later date.
Mayor Doug Cheek also introduced a discussion con
cerning promotional flags that are hung in front of busi
nesses in the town. According to the ordinance of the city,
flags can be up for 60 days temporarily, but the ordinance
is missing any conditions concerning the replacement of
those flags after the 60 day period. The council members
also questioned whether the flags should be allowed in the
historic district. The topic will be tabled and discussed
again in the future.
To conclude the meeting, the council heard from Down
town Development Authority Treasurer Kellie Jones, who
provided updates on the events that are being planned.
Jones began by talking about the success of the Labor
Day parade and celebration, saying that it was the biggest
parade the city had seen in a long time, but that minor
changes should be made, including the allowance of pa
rade participants to continue traveling around Hill Street
to prevent unwanted congestion on the roads. Jones also
expressed a need for more sponsorship, and announced
that during the event, $510 were raised for the Shop with a
H.E.R.O. program.
The Downtown Development Authority is also planning
to show the Georgia versus Auburn game in Homer City
Park on Sept. 30. The time of the showing has yet to be de
termined. This year, the Pumpkin Festival will be on Oct.
21 st. The Historical Society is also hosting a haunted house
torn during the festival at 2 p.m. The Christmas theme this
year will be Christmas on the Farm on Dec. 9. More details
for both events will be provided at a later date. The council
also motioned to approve Candace Ayers to fill a vacant
position on the Downtown Development Authority.
HARRIS DOOR
AND MILLWORK
A Family Atmosphere Work Environment in Pendergrass, GA
Now Hiring for Certified
Fork Lift Operators
Average wage $950.00 paid weekly
Monday - Friday 6 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Closed Saturday and Sunday
• Full Benefits Package
• Health Insurance
(Starts within 30 days or less)
• Dental and Vision
(Starts within 30 days or less)
• Matching 40IK (Starts Day 1)
• 3 weeks paid vacation
(Accrual Starts Day 1)
• Long Term Disability Insurance
(Company Paid)
• Short Term Disability Insurance
(Company Paid)
• 1 hour lunch break and
two 15 minute breaks per day
(5786 Hwy. 129 N, Suite A)
Pendergrass, GA
Call 706-693-0060 (Jennifer)
or email HR@harrisdm.com
Homer council keeps
millage rate at zero
HUGE AUCTION in Northeast GA!
Come out and
join us!
Live Public
Auction starts
at 10am!
Friday September 22 nd
Located at 123 Outlet Dr Commerce GA, 30529
Featuring Paving Equipment, Horizontal Grinders,
Late model Trucks, Trailers and so much more!