Demorest approves GoGov, advances city projects

DEMOREST, Ga. — Before turning to city business Thursday night, the Demorest City Council took time to celebrate the success of the city’s annual Glorious Fourth celebration, praising staff, volunteers and organizers for another well-attended Independence Day event.

Mayor Jerry Harkness thanked City Hall employees and council members for their work organizing the July 4 festivities.

“Everybody from City Hall and Mark and Megan and all the council members, all y’all’s work that y’all put in to make that a great day, making it a great day for me and my family, and a great day for our community,” Harkness said. “So I appreciate everybody’s involved in that.”

City Manager Mark Musselwhite also recognized city employees for their efforts and said the event continues to improve each year.

“We’ve got a lot of pressure for next year,” Musselwhite said. “Each year we’ve gotten better and better.”

After recognizing the holiday celebration, the council unanimously approved several measures affecting city operations, technology and infrastructure.

GoGov platform approved

The council unanimously approved a contract with GoGov, a civic engagement platform designed to improve communication between residents and the city.

Musselwhite said city officials negotiated a significantly lower cost than the original proposal while retaining $10,000 in service credits. The platform will allow residents to access city information and services through a mobile application.

Councilman Shawn Allen supported the project but encouraged the city to help residents who may be unfamiliar with smartphone technology.

“I think it’s useful too, but like I said, I think that we do need to have some kind of educational campaign, you know, ongoing, especially for those people that might not be smartphone savvy … to kind of help them initially,” Allen said.

Parking lot project moves to bidding

Although no council action was required, members reviewed plans to move forward with the long-awaited City Hall parking lot project.

Harkness said the city will issue a request for proposals Friday, giving contractors 45 days to submit bids. Proposals are due by 11 a.m. Aug. 21 before returning to the council for review and award.

Musselwhite said construction is expected to take between 60 and 120 days, depending on weather, and is being scheduled to coincide with construction of the new Demorest post office. The request for proposals also includes a 5% local preference provision for qualified Habersham County businesses.

Water, court and cemetery actions

The council unanimously approved an increase in the wholesale water rate charged to the Town of Tallulah Falls after the City of Toccoa raised the wholesale rate it charges Demorest.

Council members also approved, without objection, an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Clarkesville to share municipal court clerk services.

Musselwhite said the agreement allowed Demorest to maintain uninterrupted court operations after its previous court clerk left the position. Under the agreement, Clarkesville will continue employing the clerk full time while Demorest reimburses the city for half of the personnel costs.

The council also unanimously adopted a comprehensive set of rules governing the Demorest City Cemetery after city officials encountered questions involving ownership of burial plots covered by a 1952 cemetery deed.

City Attorney Thomas Mitchell said the policy establishes a formal process for verifying burial rights by requiring applicants to document family relationships, identify other potential heirs and sign documents protecting the city from future legal disputes.

Allen said the situation serves as a reminder for families to keep their estate planning current.

“Reminder for everybody to make sure your wills are updated, especially if you do have a cemetery, so that you don’t get into the circumstance,” Allen said.

Infrastructure, finances and collections

The council unanimously approved payment of an engineering invoice related to the Tugaloo booster pump project, which Musselwhite said is part of the city’s long-term effort to improve reliability by rebuilding pumps and maintaining backup equipment for emergencies.

Council members also ratified the emergency purchase of an $11,924 heavy-duty trailer for the Water Department after the department’s previous trailer was damaged and no longer considered safe for hauling heavy equipment.

In his monthly report, Musselwhite said the city’s financial position continues to improve.

He reported Demorest has increased its operating reserves to nearly five months of cash on hand while significantly reducing delinquent utility accounts and increasing municipal court collections through improved collection efforts. He also said the city is preparing a phased replacement of approximately 7,200 water meters, with a proposal expected to come before the council in September.

Musselwhite also told the council the city expects to receive approximately $45,000 in 2027 Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant funding for road projects and noted that an upcoming increase in first-class postage rates will modestly increase the city’s monthly utility billing costs.