Tuesday, February 11th, 2025
3:00 P.M. Community Center Meeting Room
Call to Order – 3:00 p.m.
Attending: Mayor Steve Nichols, Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins, Council Members Mike Barfield, Josh Burkhalter, Thomas Gary, City Clerk Irma Robles, and City Attorney Jody Campbell (available via phone). Not present: Public Works Director Doyle Samples and Mainstreet News (emailed notice on 2/10/2025 and draft minutes on 2/12/2025). For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Purchase of a New City Vehicle for the Public Works Department. Mayor Nichols explained that the city public works department needs a second truck for its employees since the old pickup truck is not working anymore, and they still need to take care of their responsibilities with the roads, maintenance of facilities, and more. He stated that he called different car dealers to get prices and has three different quotes from Billy Cain Ford, a 2024 four-door F250 for $53,000.00; the second one is from Hendrick Chevrolet of Buford, a 2025 2500HD Chevrolet Silverado, with an extended cab (small cab on it) for $48,120.10. The third one is from Jefferson Ford, a diesel 2024 F250 for $60,677.00.
Councilman Mike Barfield asked if the city requested a bid from Auto Gallery Chevrolet, and Mayor Nichols responded that he did but hadn’t heard back from them. Councilman Mike Barfield asked how many vehicles the Public Works Department has, and Mayor Nichols replied that they have two: one is broken down, and the other is what Public Works Director Doyle drives. Councilman Mike Barfield asked if Public Works Director Doyle Samples drives this vehicle to home and Mayor Nichols confirmed this information.
Councilman Mike Barfield also asked what happened to the broken truck. Mayor Steve replied that this truck is worn up, has 300,000 miles, was hit on the left side, has transmission problems, and more. Council member Mike Barfield asked about the plan for this old truck, and Mayor Nichols responded that it will be sold as a surplus item. Council member Thomas Gary asked how the city would fund this expense, and Mayor Steve answered that it would come out of SPLOST 6 funds from the Public Works category. Councilman Mike Barfield asked if the diesel truck would be a much better deal in the long run regarding gas prices, and the mayor replied that it would be the same because diesel is high maintenance on repairs. Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins motioned to approve the purchase of a new vehicle from Billy Cain Ford for $53,000.00. Councilman Thomas Gary seconded. Mayor Nichols asked for any comments or discussions, and Councilman Thomas Gary asked what kind of warranty this vehicle has. Mayor Nichols responded that it comes with a three-year/36,000 miles warranty. Still, there is an option to purchase an extended warranty of five years for $5,100.00 and a special extended warranty for eight years/100,000 miles for $5,150.00. After the discussion, Mayor Nichols asked if everyone favored this motion, but no one did, and the motion was not approved. Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to accept the bid from Billy Cain Ford and purchase the 2024 Ford F250 for $53,000.00 and add the extended warranty for $5,100.00, which will bring a total of $58,100.00. Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins seconded, and there were no further discussions; Councilman Josh Burkhalter and Thomas Gary favored, and Councilman Mike Barfield opposed. Three are in favor, one opposed (3 to 1). Motion passes.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: N/A
MAYOR’S REPORT: N/A
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK –N/A
ADJOURNMENT: Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to adjourn the February 11th, 2025, Special Called Meeting; Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins seconded, and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 3:14 pm.-
Announcements:
*Next Events Committee Meeting – February 13th, 2025, at 6:00 pm
*Next Work Session– February 27th, 2025, at 6:30pm
*Next Council Meeting – March 3rd, 2025, at 6:30pm
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Approved by City Clerk Irma Robles