DEMOREST, Ga. — The Demorest City Council will take up several issues involving the city’s water system, animal control services and probation operations Tuesday night, while the previously scheduled public hearing on the city’s proposed eminent-domain acquisition of property in Tallulah Falls has been postponed.
The council’s work session begins at 6 p.m. Sept. 1, followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m., both at the Demorest Municipal Conference Center, 250 Alabama St.
The eminent-domain hearing originally scheduled for Tuesday has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Demorest Municipal Conference Center and Court. The proceeding concerns parcels 100D 006 and 100D 006A at the end of River Street in Tallulah Falls that Demorest seeks to acquire for expansion of its water system.
The proposed acquisition has drawn opposition from property owner Clint Irvin and generated an online petition opposing the city’s use of eminent domain. Demorest City Manager Mark Musselwhite has said the property is part of the city’s long-term plan to establish additional water capacity for a regional system that serves thousands of customers.
Tuesday’s agenda does not include the eminent-domain hearing.
Water system
The council will discuss the Iron Ore pressure zone and water meter replacement during both the work session and regular meeting.
The Iron Ore discussion follows the city’s consideration last month of a proposed $5.1 million project to improve water lines in the pressure zone. City Engineer Fletcher Holliday previously told the council that the area has experienced low pressures and water-flow problems and that the city’s hydraulic water model identified it as one of the system’s problem areas.
The council also will discuss replacement of water meters, with the work session agenda listing City Manager Mark Musselwhite, Chris Cornell and Bryan as presenters.
The water discussions come as Demorest continues a broader effort to improve the reliability and long-term sustainability of its water system. The city has been considering upgrades to aging booster stations, new flow meters and other infrastructure while also pursuing additional water sources.
Musselwhite has said the city is developing a water strategy designed to serve the community for the next 50 to 75 years. Demorest ultimately hopes to withdraw as much as 5 million gallons per day from Tallulah Lake, although the city says withdrawals would begin at a lower level and increase as customer demand grows.
That proposal is separate from Tuesday’s agenda items, but the Sept. 16 eminent-domain hearing will address the property Demorest seeks for expansion of its water system.
Animal control agreement returns
The council also will revisit an amendment to the intergovernmental agreement governing administration and enforcement of animal control provisions.
The issue was tabled during the council’s Aug. 4 meeting after Musselwhite raised questions about the number of animal-control calls and cases attributed to Demorest and the financial implications of the countywide arrangement.
Under the proposed amendment, municipal courts would handle animal-control cases arising within each municipality, with fines and fees remaining with the individual municipalities. Municipalities also would be responsible for reimbursing the county for costs associated with holding animals.
Musselwhite previously said Demorest paid $13,500 for animal-control services in 2024, $16,000 in 2025 and $17,500 in 2026.
The council’s Aug. 4 discussion also included questions about the number of animal-control cases attributed to Demorest and how the city’s relatively small geographic area compared with the reported calls and animals entering Habersham County Animal Control.
The item is scheduled for discussion again Tuesday.
Probation services
The council also will consider two possible approaches to providing probation services.
The agenda lists an Alto Probation intergovernmental agreement and a CRSA proposal and professional-services agreement. The agenda does not identify a preferred option or indicate whether the council is expected to make a final decision Tuesday.
The issue will be discussed during the work session and regular meeting.
Retirement ordinance
The council is scheduled to hold a second reading of an ordinance concerning the city’s Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System defined-benefit retirement plan.
The council discussed the change during its Aug. 4 meeting, when Joshua Colley of the Georgia Municipal Association explained that the amendment would increase the benefit multiplier from 1.5% to 1.75%.
Colley said the change would increase the city’s annual cost by approximately $35,030, or about 1.8% of payroll.
City Clerk Megan Chastain said the council had already voted June 2 to increase the multiplier and that the ordinance is required to formally put the change into effect. The second reading is scheduled for Tuesday.
Transportation funding
The council also will discuss an application for the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank.
The work session lists Brad Day and Musselwhite as presenters. The agenda does not provide details about the specific project or funding amount associated with the application.
The Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank provides financing assistance for eligible transportation projects, but the city’s agenda does not identify the project for which Demorest intends to apply.
Recognitions
Tuesday’s work session also will include two recognitions.
The Georgia Municipal Association will recognize state Rep. Victor Anderson as its Legislator of the Year.
The city also will issue a proclamation recognizing Piedmont University’s 129th birthday.
The regular council meeting will include public comment at the beginning and end of the meeting, with speakers limited to two minutes.
The work session begins at 6 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m. at the Demorest Municipal Conference Center, 250 Alabama St. The rescheduled eminent-domain hearing will take place Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. at the same location.
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