Manchester Council Rescinds Water Rate Structure

Mayor Pro-Tem Quardez Warrior opened Manchester’s City Council meeting with the public hearing and discussion of the Millage Rate. This rate affects property taxes and will have different outcomes per property. The Millage Rate last year for both Manchester citizens in Meriwether and Talbot County was 17.299. The new rate will differ per county with Meriwether decreasing to 16.902 and Talbot County to 14.958. Both rollbacks were approved by the council.

The city council also voted on rescinding the prior water rates structure for 2027 and 2028. The rates were a result of a schedule based off of a bond rating from 2023, however, the city has been able to pay off the bond and Manchester only has to pay on the interest it accrued. The water rates would be structured based on current standings. As a result, the rates will not increase as dramatically as they anticipated, but they will not decrease either. The council approved to rescind the prior water rates structure.

City Manager Mark Pullium requested the authorization to start the solicitation for bids for sidewalk repairs in Manchester. The main focus of the repairs will start with Main St. and Second St. The plan is to work in sections to make repairs while using the Maintenance Improvement Grant funds and/or T.S.P.L.O.S.T. funds. There was discussion of repairing full sections including the sidewalks that are not in need of repair or to stretch the funds to cover more repairs in various parts of town. The city council approved for the city manager to start taking bids and get estimates.

The city manager was also authorized to apply for a loan for generators through the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority. These generators will assist the city in remaining functional in the event of a massive power outage.

Utilities Director Sam Summers reported that work has begun on the Fourth St. culvert and should be finished in a timely manner. Following Fourth St., Mayes Way and Nebula Rd. will be addressed next.

Manchester Recreation Department has started their soccer season. Tangee Cummings also reported that The Huddle Youth Center was awarded a $50k grant through G.R.P.A. This is a year-long grant that will help with funding through the school year and summer. The Huddle is not city funded, and it relies on volunteers and donations. The Huddle was one of fourty-two selected for this grant.

The Senior Center has a successful Senior Day cookout thanks to everyone who participated. Sept. 28^th at 11 a.m. will be the Farmer’s Market Day open to those who have registered. Sept. 29^th Manchester Senior Center will have fellowship with the Greenville Senior Center.

Fire Chief Ben Williams gave his appreciation to those who were able to come to the Push-In Ceremony for the new fire engines. They have been put to use frequently since their christening. He also thanked those in attendance for the 9/11 Stair Climb Tribute that morning at the Manchester High School Stadium. This year they had between twenty and twenty-five participants to make the climb. It was held on Wednesday because a few of the local firefighters are going to do the climb at Stone Mountain on the actual day of. The Manchester Fire Dept, was awarded a $2k Safety Grant from Georgia Power. They were able to purchase three bags of collapsible traffic cones, three new chainsaws, and a voltage detector. In addition to this, the council approved to surplus the older fire engine and truck to recoup funds. They also approved to surplus the eleven dated S.C.B.A.’s with the possibility of donating them to other fire stations.

City Marshal Mohammed Salihi reported that fifty-seven policies and procedures have been completed. These will be the standards for the city and assist in guidance of operations. The City Marshal’s Office received an Originating Agency Identifier by the Federal Bureau of Investigation through the criminal justice system to identify the marshal’s office as a recognized law enforcement agency. City Marshal Salihi handled twenty-eight total cases in the month of Aug. Only seven of those cases remain pending. Common issues that were addressed in the community included overgrown grass, trash and litter, dangerous building concerns, animal compliance, parking citations, utility issues, and some miscellaneous violations.

Mayor Pro-Tem Warrior was enthusiastic in sharing that Manchester has moved on to the second round of the G.I.C.H. If Manchester were to received this certification, it would assist with development, grants, and give them a better chance of obtaining the block grant. Manchester was one out of seven to proceed, and five cities will be awarded. Warrior reminded everyone that the Downtown Fall Festival will be held next month. Warrior also sends his thoughts and prayers to all involved in the tragedy in Warm Springs regarding Sgt. Chris Fisher and Jimmy Lee Steverson. He emphasized that all parties need to be represented in grieving because all are suffering as a result.

Councilman Jason Smith has proposed that the Manchester City website and social media pages need to be updated and ran consistently. He also proposed that the city meetings be moved back to City Hall. This proposal comes with the consideration of a decrease in attendance in recent months, damages to equipment from moving between buildings, and the audio acoustic issues in the Community Building. The council approved moving the meetings back to City Hall, stating that they will find accommodations if the crowds increase once more. Smith commended the departments for the hard work that they have been doing around the city.

“I cannot wait to see all of the spirit of Manchester for Homecoming,” stated Councilwoman Delisha Hodo.

Hodo reminded citizens of the N.A.A.C.P. Community Rally that will take place on Sept. 29^th from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. They will be serving free lunch. It was mentioned that the Manchester Recreation Department is still hosting kickball and flag football. Hodo echoed Warrior’s condolences to the families of those lost. She reminded citizens that the community needs to support each other during such tragedies.

Councilman Danny Wadsworth sends his condolences to the family of Sgt. Chris Fisher.

The work on the Big Lazar Creek Coffer Dam is set to proceed starting Oct. 1^st and should be complete sixty days from then. Bids for remediation of lead service lines will be open Oct. 1^st at 2 p.m.

The next city work session will take place Sept. 23^rd at 4 p.m. in City Hall.