Nicholson Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, April 6th, 2026
6:30 P.M. Community Center
Attending: Mayor Steve T. Nichols, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield, Council Member Thomas Gary, Josh Burkhalter, Library Manager Rhonda O., City Clerk Irma Robles. For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet. Not present: Councilman Lamar Watkins, City Attorney Jody Campbell, Finance Director Glenda Cantrell, Public Works Director Doyle Samples, and Mainstreet Newspaper Representative Betsy Allen (Draft minutes emailed to Betsy Allen and Angela Gary on 4/7/2026).
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Steve T. Nichols called the Council Meeting on April 6th, 2026, to order at 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – City Clerk Irma Robles led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America flag.
APPROVAL OF APRIL 6TH, 2026, COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA: Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield made a motion to approve the Agenda for April 6th, 2026, as presented. Councilman Thomas Gary seconded. There were no discussions, and all were in favor. The agenda was approved.
APPROVAL OF MARCH 2ND, 2026, COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield motioned to approve the Council Meeting Minutes on February 2nd, 2026. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.
FEBRUARY 2026 FINANCIALS: Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield motioned to approve the February 2026 Financials as submitted. Councilman Thomas Gary seconded the motion. Councilman Thomas Gary inquired about expense item 32.1200, License and Permits, for $1,725.00, asking whether it is a business license or a building permit, and City Clerk Irma Robles responded that she would check with Finance Director Glenda Cantrell. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. Motion was approved. February 2026 Financials were approved.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Proclamation: April as Safe Digging Month: Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve the Proclamation for April as a Safe Digging Month and authorize Mayor Steve Nichols to sign it. Councilman Josh B. seconded. There were no discussions. All were in favor. Motion was approved.
- Broad St: Curving, Drainage & Expansion Proposals: Mayor Nichols clarified that the total project cost was $35,700.00, which includes concrete, compared to the original quote of $14,700.00. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield asked which quote Mayor Nichols was referring to, and Mayor Nichols stated it was from Ivester & Sons Grading. Councilman Thomas Gary asked whether the project needed to be rebid. Mayor Nichols responded that, pursuant to the purchasing policy, rebidding was not required since the amount is below $50,000.00. Councilman Thomas Gary made a motion to accept the proposal from Ivester & Sons Grading in the amount of $35,700.00. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield seconded the motion. Councilman Josh Burkhalter asked when the project would begin, and Mayor Nichols responded that it would begin as soon as possible. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. Motion was approved.
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS: N/A
- LIBRARIAN REPORT
Library Manager Rhonda O’Keeffe
The library KPop Demon Hunter Program was a huge success. They had approximately 350 for the event. The Easter Bunny had approximately 110. Library Assistant Sherri Stephens and Library Manager Rhonda visited EJES and SJES, respectively, for Career Day. They were both invited.
An art show for the EJES Art Club was held at the library. It also supported Jackson County Animal Control. The library manager held a reception for the children. The newspaper sent a photographer for the event. Approximately 70 people came to support the EJES Art Club and Animal Control. The artists painted animals that were at the county shelter. The paintings are still on display.
This week the Quilters are holding an arts and craft program. Any children who attend will be creating an owl craft. This will be Tuesday, April 7th at 11 AM.
On Thursday, April 9 at 11 AM, Grady’s Reptiles will be here to present a program.
The Library Manager will be visiting SJES with PuRL (rolling library) at 5:30 PM on Thursday, April 16. Beforehand, she will be presenting information to their PTA.
Nicholson Library will be holding a Friends meeting on Monday, April 20th, at 5 PM.
The library is continuing to sell raffle tickets for the quilts.
They are preparing for the upcoming Daisy Festival.
The library is continuing to prepare for their Summer Reading Program. Dinosaurs are the theme this year
Councilman Josh Burkhalter inquired about the reptile‑themed event. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield asked whether Department Head Rhonda is required to attend Council meetings and whether all department heads are required to attend. Mayor Nichols responded that, as a general rule, department heads are not required to attend meetings. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield suggested that all department heads attend meetings, when possible, particularly the Public Works Director, as the Council often has questions that would benefit from his presence.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Steve T. Nichols
-Sewer Issue: A sewer line collapsed at the Benton Building and was excavated and repaired through an emergency purchase. The Public Works Department removed the damaged line and replaced it. A water leak was also discovered adjacent to the building and repaired during the excavation.
-Road bids packet is out, and it’s due by April 23rd, 2026, at 9:00 am.
-House Bill: A bill was introduced to eliminate property taxes and wage taxes. LOST funds account for approximately 80% of the City’s budget; however, the bill did not advance. The bill was later revised to propose a cap on property taxes and limit future increases in Georgia home values.
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK: N/A
Announcements:
*Next Events Committee Meeting – Tuesday, April 7th, 2026, at 6:00 pm
*Spring Clean Up Day – Saturday, April 11th, 2026, at 7:00 am
Councilman Thomas Gary suggested advertising an ending time of 2:00 pm for this event.
*Next Work Session– Thursday, April 23rd, 2026, at 6:30 pm
*Next Council Meeting – Monday, May 4th, 2026, at 6:30 pm
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield motioned to adjourn the April 6th, 2026, Council Meeting. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded the motion, and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
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Approved by City Clerk Irma Robles