Nicholson Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, August 3rd, 2026
6:30 P.M. Community Center
Attending: Mayor Steve T. Nichols, Council Member Thomas Gary, Josh Burkhalter, Lamar Watkins, City Attorney Jody Campbell, Finance Director Glenda Cantrell, and City Clerk Irma Robles. For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet. Not present: Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield, Public Works Director Doyle Samples, Library Manager Rhonda O., and Mainstreet Newspaper Representative (Draft minutes emailed to Angela Gary on 8/4/2026).
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Steve T. Nichols called the Council Meeting on August 3rd, 2026, to order at 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Councilman Thomas Gary led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America flag.
APPROVAL OF AUGUST 3RD, 2026, COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA: Councilman Josh Burkhalter made a motion to approve the Agenda for August 3rd, 2026, as presented. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded. There were no discussions, and all were in favor. The agenda was approved.
APPROVAL OF JUNE 1ST, 2026, COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Council Member Lamar Watkins motioned to approve the Council Meeting Minutes on June 1st, 2026. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded. There were no discussions. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.
MAY 2026 FINANCIALS: Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve the May 2026 Financials as submitted. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded the motion. Councilman Thomas Gary inquired about item number 52.0000 for $66,985.85 Contracts and Purchases. Finance Director Glenda Cantrell responded that it is Insurance for all buildings, equipment, and automobiles for $33,691.00 paid to GIRMA. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. The motion was approved. May 2026 Financials were approved.
JUNE 2026 FINANCIALS: Council Member Thomas Gary motioned to approve the June 2026 Financials as submitted. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded the motion. Councilman Thomas Gary asked about Daisy Festival expenses 34.7300, being paid in June, and what they were for. Finance Director Glenda Cantrell explained that $4625.00 was for printing programs, $39.00 was for trash at Jackson County Solid Waste, and $61.26 was for supplies. Finance Director Glenda Cantrell responded that it shouldn’t have been an expense on the income side, which is causing the negative number; it is her mistake, and she will move it immediately. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. Motion was approved. June 2026 Financials were approved.
- NEW BUSINESS:
• Applicant and owner, Jeff Harris, 695 Cedar Drive, Nicholson, Georgia 30565, has submitted a variance request for an accessory building exceeding the square footage of the home at 695 Cedar Drive, also known as Map & Parcel # 014-005A. The property is +/- 4.647 acres and is located in the SR (Suburban Residential) District. The applicant briefly approached city council about the size of his house and the proposed building. He also brought pictures of his house and the proposed building and asked whether the council wanted to see these pictures. Councilman Lamar Watkins motioned to approve the variance request as presented. The motion died for lack of a second motion. Council Member Thomas Gary made a motion to deny the variance request for parcel #014-005A; the motion died for lack of a second motion. City Attorney commented that if City Council is unsure how to proceed, he would recommend tabling the agenda item until next month’s meeting. Councilman Lamar Watkins made a motion to table this variance request; Council member Josh Burkhalter seconded this motion. Councilman Thomas Gary opposed. 2-1. The motion was tabled.
• KCI – Approval of Additional Funds: $13,010.00: Council Member Thomas Gary made a motion to approve setting aside SPLOST funds for $13,010.00 for KCI Engineers. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded. All were in favor. No discussions. The motion was approved.
• Resolution for 2024-2029 Jackson County Emergency Operations & Hazard Mitigation Plan: Councilman Josh Burkhalter made a motion to approve this resolution and authorize Mayor Nichols to sign it; Councilman Thomas Gary seconded; all were in favor. No discussions. Resolution was approved.
• Candy Castle Day Care New Pipes – Emergency Purchase $3,850.00: Councilman Josh Burkhalter made a motion to approve the emergency purchase; Council Member Lamar Watkins seconded. All were in favor. No discussions. The Candy Castle Day Care Plumbing emergency purchase was approved.
• Proclamation: August 11th, 2026, as Nicholson 811 Day: Council Member made a motion to approve the Proclamation; Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded. There were no discussions, and all were in favor. The proclamation was approved.
- OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS: N/A
- LIBRARIAN REPORT: Library Manager Rhonda O’Keeffe: None for this month.
- MAYOR’S REPORT:
- Library Renovations will start this week.
- Road Paving: Mayor Nichols mentioned that we are on Garrett’s Paving calendar for the last week of August, or first week of September, since they are waiting for good weather.
- Talmo Mayor’s Luncheon was today, and Employee Retention was one of the subjects for discussion.
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK: Jeff Harris from 695 Cedar Dr. asked the reason why his application has been put off for one more month. City Attorney explained the rules for public comments. Mayor Nichols added that tabling an agenda item allows the City Council more time to decide on a variance request.
Announcements:
*Next Work Session– Monday, August 27th, 2026, at 6:30 pm
*Next Council Meeting – Tuesday, September 8th, 2026, at 6:30 pm
ADJOURNMENT: Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to adjourn the August 3rd, 2026, Council Meeting. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded the motion, and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Approved by City Clerk Irma Robles for website