Nicholson Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, February 2nd, 2026
6:30 P.M. Community Center
Attending: Mayor Steve T. Nichols, Council Member Lamar Watkins, Thomas Gary, and Josh Burkhalter, Library Manager Rhonda O., Finance Director Glenda Cantrell, and Administrative Assistant Jennifer Vilchis. For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet. Not present: Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield,City Attorney Jody Campbell, City Clerk Irma Robles (virtually due to training), Public Works Director Doyle Samples, and Mainstreet Newspaper Representative Betsy Allen (Draft minutes emailed to Betsy Allen and Angela Gary on 2/6/2026).
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Steve T. Nichols called the Council Meeting on February 2nd, 2026, to order at 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Council Member Thomas Gary led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America flag.
APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 2ND, 2026, COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA: Council Member Josh Burkhalter made a motion to approve the Agenda for February 2nd, 2026, as presented. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded. There were no discussions, and all were in favor. The agenda was approved.
DECEMBER 2025 FINANCIALS: Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve the December 2025 Financials as submitted. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded. Councilman Thomas Gary inquired about Expense Item 52.1200 for $2,169.00, and the Finance Director clarified that these expenses are for Bureau Veritas services. He also inquired about item number 53.1000, Supplies for $17,551.85, to classify them as a utility expense. Finance Director Glenda Cantrell explained that both utilities and supply expenses are included in this line item. Mayor Nichols inquired about item number 52.2320, Rentals for $357.40, and clarified that this expense is for the library printer. Mayor Nichols also clarified that item number 57.2000 – Payment to other agencies to Jackson County for $571.65 will be reimbursed from the SPLOST account since it was an expense for rocks for the city shop. He also added that item 57.000, Other costs, for $806.00 include expenses for the Christmas Tree Lighting event and flowers for Jan’s mom’s funeral. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. Motion was approved. December 2025 Financials were approved.
APPROVAL OF JANUARY 5TH, 2026, COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve the Council Meeting Minutes on January 5th, 2026, as presented; Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded. There were no discussions. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.
NEW BUSINESS: Building Permit & Inspections Software Proposals: IWorQ and Cloud Permit: City Clerk Irma Robles added that the only new information for this agenda item since the last work session is a new non-appropriation contract clause from IWorQ that states that they are unable to remove the portion in section 7, but they are able to add the non-appropriations clause on section 10 which basically means that if the city does not have enough funding to pay for IWorQ, then the city is able to cancel out of the 3 year term with no obligation. City Clerk Irma Robles added that she has sent the new contract to City Attorney Jody Campbell for review and is awaiting his response. Joe Johnsen (present at the meeting virtually, also by Zoom) confirmed the information provided by City Clerk Irma Robles. She also added that there is no new information from the Cloud Permit proposal. Mayor Nichols asked whether the amounts from the last meeting carried over to this meeting, and City Clerk Irma Robles responded that they remain the same. There were also discussions about the fees for current services, such as Code Enforcement, Cemetery, and Utility Billing, which are included in this new proposal. Joe clarified that those fees would be prorated when the annual bill is issued. Councilman Thomas Gary stated that, based on the numbers and information provided, he would like to make a motion to accept the IWorQ contract. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded the motion. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. Motion was approved.
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Nicholson Water Authority Board Member Appointment – 5-Year Term: Mayor Steve Nichols read the list of candidates for this seat. Councilman Josh Burkhalter made a motion to un-table this agenda item, and Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded this motion. Motion was approved. The agenda item was un-tabled. Councilman Thomas Gary made a motion to appoint Roger Brock as the Nicholson Water Board Member for the next five-year term. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded this motion. City Clerk Irma Robles added, for the record, that Mr. Brock was recently selected as the NWA Chairman by the Board. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. Motion was approved.
- LIBRARIAN REPORT
Library Manager Rhonda O’Keeffe
The library’s January event had to be canceled twice. Currently, they do not have a date. They are waiting to hear back.
Nicholson Library’s visit to SJES had to be canceled due to the weather. They have a visit in February, and hopefully the weather will cooperate.
The library has a drop-in Valentine craft scheduled on Tuesday, Feb 10, from 4-5 PM.
The Adult Book Club is meeting on Thursday, Feb 19th at 1:30 PM.
Currently, the Nicholson library has the Tuskegee Airmen Exhibit from Kennesaw State on display for this week. (Free). This exhibit came with a box of information that patrons can access. February is Black History Month.
Sherri Stephens, Library Assistant, is reading to Candy Castle Daycare once a month.
The Friends Meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb 16th at 5 PM.
The library staff are planning Spring Break activities and Summer Reading.
Councilman Josh Burkhalter inquired about Passport fees.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Steve T. Nichols
-Mayor Nichols told the city council that they are still working on the final plans for the 2026 Road Paving Bid package, and this will be ready at the next work session.
-He also mentioned that he attended the Commerce Mayor’s Lunch today, and they all discussed the possibility of new legislation coming up regarding property taxes.
-Councilman Thomas Gary asked about a date for the Independence Day Celebration event this year, and City Clerk Irma Robles responded that this was agreed upon at the last Retreat meeting and decided that July 3rd, 2026, as the date for the Independence Day event. Councilman Thomas Gary inquired about the proposal from Pyrotecnico, and City Clerk Irma Robles responded that she had received a proposal listing the fireworks to be displayed and had forwarded it to Mayor Nichols for review, as the city plans to add more fireworks cases this year. City Clerk Irma Robles added that the Pyrotecnico Fireworks Display proposal will be added to the agenda for the next work session.
- CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK: N/A
Announcements:
*Next Event Committee Meeting – February 5th, 2026, at 6:00pm
*Next Work Session – February 26th, 2026, at 6:30 pm
*Next Council Meeting– March 2nd, 2026, at 6:30 pm
ADJOURNMENT: Councilman Josh Burkhalter motioned to adjourn the February 2nd, 2026, Council Meeting. Councilman Thomas Gary seconded the motion, and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 6:59 p.m.
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Approved by City Clerk Irma Robles