By ROBERT GRIFFIN

robert.griffin@gaflnews.com

americustimesrecorder.com



AMERICUS— The Mayor and Council of Americus passed the 2009 Millage Rate for the city. The millage rate for the City of Americus is 10.25, down from last years rate of 10.99 and .61 less than the rollback rate. Since the rate was .61 less than the rollback, the city was only required to hold one public hearing, which occurred on Monday night. City Finance director Suzanne Freeman said, “We cut a lot of our spending this year, and delayed some capital projects and we are pretty pleased with this rate. This decrease should help soften the blow that occurred when the state removed the home owners tax relief grant this year. ” The motion to approve the 2009 millage rate was made by Council Member Walloon Grant, seconded by Lou Chase and was approved unanimously.

Also at the meeting, the Mayor and Council adopted a joint resolution with the County Board of Commissioners, and the Americus-Sumter Airport Authority the change the name of Souther Field Airport to the Jimmy Carter Regional Airport. There was some commotion from some in attendance when those people were not allowed to address the board. Mayor Barry Blunt reminded those gathered that in order to address the board at the meeting, then they should have made arrangements with the City Clerk prior to the meeting, in order to be placed on that nights agenda.

In other Items voted on by the Mayor and Council:

• approved a resolution authorizing the closing of the GO bond bank account.

• approved the alcoholic beverage license for Danfair Express III, located at 402 East Forsyth St. for beer and wine off premises.

• approved the bullet proof vest grant in the amount of $8,531.68. This grant is a 50/50 grant where the city pays half for vests and the grant covers the rest. Also approved was the 2009 CHRP (Cops hiring recovery program) grant in the amount of $271,142. This grant will account for the hiring of two new officers for the Police Department. Chief James Green also took time to thank the grant writer Paige Self for her work in writing for the grants, and receiving all of them.

• approved a proposal for Layne Christensen Company to televise Well #7 to define the damage to the well and determine the appropriate remediation in the amount of $14,270.00

• Approved a proposal from Layne Christensen Company for repairs to well #11 in the amount of $135,735.00