CORNELIA, Ga. — The Cornelia City Commission will consider a proposed charter amendment, updates to water and sewer tap fees and several significant contracts when it meets Tuesday night.
At the center of the agenda is a resolution requesting local legislation to amend the city charter to remove the current 20-mill cap on the city’s millage rate. The existing charter limits the millage rate to 20 mills, with certain exceptions for general obligation debt.
Last month, city leaders discussed the need to amend the charter as part of broader efforts to secure favorable financing terms for the planned downtown amphitheater project. City Attorney Steve Campbell told commissioners the millage cap can be viewed as a constraint by lenders, even if the city has no intention of raising property taxes. Removing the limitation would make Cornelia more competitive when seeking loans.
If approved by the commission and advanced through the local legislative process, the amendment would allow the city to set its millage rate by ordinance without the 20-mill limitation and continue to provide for payment of taxes in installments or in a lump sum.
The charter discussion comes after the commission last month cleared key financing steps for the amphitheater project, including actions related to bond agreements through the Urban Redevelopment Agency. City officials said at that time the charter change would strengthen the city’s financial position as it moves forward with borrowing for the project.
Utility fee updates
Commissioners are also expected to review and potentially approve updates to the city’s water and sewer tap fee schedule.
According to the agenda packet, Delta Municipal Supply increased the cost of large water meters, prompting the proposed changes.
The updated schedule outlines revised tap, meter, connection and administrative fees based on meter size, along with corresponding sewer tap fees.
The proposal specifies that developers must install meters according to city specifications and that meters may not be removed or relocated without approval. It also reiterates that restaurants and other food establishments must have grease interceptors inspected by the city, with an annual inspection fee.
Contracts and project approvals
The commission’s new business agenda includes several project-related items.
Commissioners will consider approval of a grant administrator and an engineering firm for Community Development Block Grant projects.
They are also scheduled to review bids for the city’s 2026 paving project and discuss a proposal for flock cameras.
Other items include an automatic aid agreement with Baldwin for fire service, an emergency HVAC repair for the Community House, and a budget adjustment for fire department equipment. A resolution related to a technology fee for municipal court is also on the agenda
Board appointment
Commissioners will consider appointing Audrey Davenport to the Historic Preservation Commission. Davenport is principal and creative director of Soque Street LLC and holds degrees from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She has served as a consultant to the Cornelia City & Tourism Board and as a board member of Better Hometown.
The commission will also consider appointing Brooke Shedd, owner of Way2Baked in Cornelia, to the Downtown Development Authority to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Alex Michelle.
The meeting will begin with approval of the agenda, minutes from the Feb. 10 meeting and the city manager’s monthly report. A public forum will allow residents to address the commission on items not scheduled for a public hearing.
