Nicholson Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, October 5th, 2026
6:30 P.M. Community Center
Attending: Mayor Steve T. Nichols, Council Member Josh Burkhalter, Lamar Watkins, City Attorney Jody Campbell, Library Manager Rhonda O., and Administrative Assistant Jennifer Vilchis. For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet. Not present: Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield, Council Member Thomas Gary, Public Works Director Doyle Samples, Finance Director Glenda Cantrell, 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 October 5th, 2026, to order at 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Councilman Josh Burkhalter led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America flag.
APPROVAL OF October 5th, 2026, COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA: Councilman Josh Burkhalter made a motion to approve the Agenda for October 5th, 2026, as presented. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded. There were no discussions, and all were in favor. The agenda was approved.
APPROVAL OF September 8th, 2026, COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Council Member Lamar Watkins motioned to approve the Council Meeting Minutes on September 8th, 2026. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded. Mayor Steve Nichols asked Jody whether he and Irma had to sign, but she no longer works for the city. Attorney Jody Campbell responded that the interim clerk will sign and no amendment is needed. There were no discussions. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.
August 2026 FINANCIALS:Councilman Josh Burkhalter motioned to approve the August 2026 Financials as submitted. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded the motion.There were no further discussions. All were in favor. The motion was approved. August 2026 Financials were approved.
- NEW BUSINESS:
• Nicholson City Park: Mayor Steve Nichols gave staff a recommendation for well site that we accept the second spot next to the fence. They will put a fence around it and put the pumps inside the fence. This will not interfere with park operations. We will also like to see stipulations put in the agreement between us and them. If we allow them to do that at no cost at the park, then they agree to furnish the city with water at all current meters at no cost to any meter. For the piece of land, there would be a 99-year lease agreement. Councilman Josh Burkhalter made a motion to approve agreement of the Nicholson Water Authority to approve a well location next to the tower site at the bottom of the hill with a 99 year lease agreement with the water authority and an agreement that they not charge us for water at city water meters. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded the motion. There were no further discussions, and all were in favor. The motion was approved.
• AED&CPR Policy: Councilman Josh Burkhalter asked if we ever contacted the Jackson County Rec Department to ask if they have any AED down at the park. Mayor Steve Nichols responded that he had not heard that they had some, but that our AED would be entered into the 911 center. If someone were having a heart attack, the 911dispatcher could tell them where our AED’s are located. Councilman Josh Burkhalter made a motion to approve the AED & CPR Policy. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. The motion was approved.
• Annual Subscription Quote- ArcGIS Online Licensing Creator for City Cemetery Map: Councilman Lamar Watkins made a motion to approve the Annual Subscription from ArcGIS at $700.00 a year. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. The motion was approved.
• Resolution- 2026 Comprehensive Plan Update: Councilman Josh Burkhalter made a motion to approve and give the mayor permission to sign the 2026 Comprehensive Plan. Council Member Lamar Watkins seconded. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. The motion was approved.
• Nicholson Library Landscaping: Mayor Steve Nichols read quotes for library landscaping; BTS Land Management did not meet the requirements set forth. Councilman Josh Burkhalter made a motion to approve Mark Pencco LLC for $ 13,464.60. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded. There were no discussions, and all were in favor. The motion was approved.
Councilman Josh Burkhalter made a motion to approve OMG Floor using SPLOST 6 for $12,750.00 for the sidewalks and bathrooms inside the library. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded the motion. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. The motion was approved.
• John Deere Hall Lease Agreement with Candy Castle Daycare: Council Member Josh Burkhalter made a motion to approve and accept the lease agreement as written by council and includes section 4 for improvements not to exceed $35,000.00 using SPLOST 7 and gives permission for the Mayor to sign. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. The motion was approved.
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS: N/A
- LIBRARIAN REPORT:
Library Manager Rhonda O’Keeffe:
Library Manager Rhonda O. visited SJES in Sept and August. We have dates planned to visit throughout the school year.
The Quilters now meet one Saturday a month. It is the second Saturday of each month. The hours are 10 AM – 2 PM. The quilters meet each Tuesday of the month from 10:00 AM – 2 PM.
Jackson School System has a Fall Break from October 8 – 13th. The Nicholson Library will be hosting a Parrot Program on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 11 AM. This is free and open to the public. The Quilters will have a craft available on Tuesday, October 13th at 11 AM. There is no cost for the participant.
The Adult Book Club will meet on Thursday, October 15th at 1:30 PM. The book is Friday Night Lights.
Library Assistant Sherri Stephens will be at the EJ Fall Festival on Thursday, October 22. She has attended this event for several years now. The Piedmont Rolling Library ( PuRL) will also be at the event.
Our very own BOO Fest will be on Tuesday, Oct. 27th from 5:30 – 8 PM. We will have games, prizes, face painting, a magic show, and pizza. Sherri Stephens, Library Assistant, reached out and secured donations for the pizza and drinks.
I will participate in Candy Castles Trunk and Treat. It is a busy month!
The library renovations have started. The manager’s office is complete along with flooring in the back room. Furniture has been delivered and is being assembled. We are waiting on the windows and doors.
- MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Steve T. Nichols
- Doyle will be repairing a sinkhole in front of the Community Center on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- City Clerk positions: There were about 14 applications submitted for the position, and we have narrowed those down tremendously. We had interviews last week and will have another on Friday.
- Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield will be submitting paperwork for his retirement, effective November 1st, 2026. A special election will be held on the 1st of 2027.
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK: N/A
Announcements:
*Next Work Session & Budget Hearing– Thursday, October 22nd, 2026, at 6:30 pm
*Next Council Meeting – Monday, November 2nd, 2026, at 6:30 pm
*Veterans Day Celebration- Sunday, November 8th, 2026, at 3:00 pm
ADJOURNMENT: Councilman Josh Burkhalter made a motion to adjourn the October 5th, 2026, Council Meeting. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded the motion, and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:22 p.m.
Approved by Intermin Clerk for website