Demorest Council tackles tax, water issues Thursday

The Demorest City Council will consider several infrastructure, financial and policy matters Thursday during a special called work session and regular meeting.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. for a work session followed by a 7 p.m. regular session at the Demorest Municipal Conference Center, 250 Alabama St.

Among the items scheduled for discussion and consideration is an agreement with GoGov, a municipal software provider. Council members will also consider an invoice from MPE for work related to the Tugaloo booster pump and the ratification of an emergency purchase of a trailer for the city’s Water Department.

The council will also revisit several city policy and planning issues, including comprehensive rules for the Demorest City Cemetery, an intergovernmental agreement for municipal court clerk services, and proposed additions to the city’s zoning ordinance.

Another major item on the agenda is consideration of a resolution authorizing Mayor Jerry Harkness to execute an intergovernmental agreement related to the implementation and regulation of a Flexible Local Option Sales Tax, commonly known as FLOST.

The FLOST agreement follows statewide changes created by House Bill 581, which established a new option for local governments to replace certain property tax revenue through sales tax collections. Habersham County officials have been working with municipalities on potential participation agreements ahead of a future referendum.

The council will also discuss evaluating the city’s wholesale water rate for the Town of Tallulah Falls and consider a request for proposals for improvements to the Demorest City Hall parking lot.

During the regular session, council members are scheduled to approve June meeting minutes, hear public comments, receive a manager’s report and review financials before considering any possible executive session.

The meetings are open to the public.