Council Work Session

December 20, 2011

Meeting called to order by Mayor Harley at 5:39pm.

Invocation given by Councilman Smith

Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilman Tucker

Welcome Extended to all by Mayor Harley

Present were Mayor John R. Harley, Councilman Cameron Andrews, Councilman Randall Wright, Councilman Edward Tucker, Councilman Robert Smith, City Administrator Patrick Eidson and City Attorney Rebecca Tydings.

Old Business

Probation Services Contract Amendment – The City’s probation services contractor, Middle Georgia Probation, has proposed an amendment to the agreement governing provision of probation services. MGP wants to begin actively utilizing GPS tracking/monitoring for probationers as an option to incarceration. The cost per day for the GPS tracking is $9.50 as opposed to $40.00 for jailed offenders. Not only will this result in a cost savings to the City, but it will also allow those sentenced to monitoring/tracking by the court to continue to work instead of likely losing their jobs due to absence while incarcerated. Probationers who are jailed and lose their jobs often fall behind on fine/fee payments or simply cease to pay at all, resulting in the possibility of further incarceration. City Attorney Tydings stated that the contract amendment, if adopted by the Council, must be signed by both the City and the Municipal Court Judge. The amendment involves a change to the company selected for provision of GPS tracking devices from DualTrac to AllTrackers, specifically, the amendment is to Attachment “B”, Cost of Services, page 2 of 2, item 14, ELECTRONIC MONITORING. The language shall be amended by striking the language entirely and replacing with the following:

ELECTRONIC MONITORING (Court pays $9.50 per day, per active unit only; no cost to offender; no install fee) MGP employs the All Trackers system. This system is cost-effective and a simple approach to today’s non-violent probationers. The Court pays for this service and if properly implemented can result in great savings to the Court over jail costs. Use of the All Trackers system allows the probationer to continue working, thus reducing the risk of job loss and subsequent probation violation due to non-payment.)

Motion made by Councilman Wright to approve contract amendment; seconded by Councilman Tucker. Daily monitoring fees will be paid from the Police Department budget line item for payment of jail fees. Motion carried.

New Business

Comments from Council

Councilman Andrews thanked everyone that served on the Christmas Parade Committee, thanked everyone for their time and effort. Councilman Tucker echoed comments and stated that this is one of the best parades in the county/ surrounding counties.

Councilman Smith stated that he is proud to have served on the City Council. Councilman Smith feels that he accomplished quite a bit and also feels that his appointment to Council enabled him to do the right thing at the right time. Councilman Smith also expressed his belief that the senior citizen tax exemption will be very detrimental to the City’s future. Councilman Smith commented that, at the time the exemption was passed, there were only 15 eligible participants that lived in the area. In the beginning the intent for the exemption was to help seniors that struggled to pay their city taxes because they lived on a fixed income. Councilman Smith felt that was a good thing. However, Councilman Smith commented that the senior tax exemption has become some sort of a cancer because many seniors who can afford to pay their city taxes and who live in large, expensive houses have moved to the area because of the exemption. Councilman Smith voiced his fears that this could become the ruin of Centerville. Councilman Smith stated that there are young families who also live on a strict income and they too are struggling but still have to pay city taxes.

Comments from Audience

Executive Session (Personnel Matters): Councilman Tucker made motion to enter into executive session at 5:54pm; seconded by Councilman Andrews. Motion carried.

Meeting reconvened at 6:20pm.

Affidavit & Resolution: City Attorney Tydings read resolution. Motion made by Councilman Wright to adopt as written; seconded by Councilman Andrews. Motion carried. Affidavit executed by Mayor Harley and notarized by City Clerk Krista Bedingfield. Documents attached and made part of official minutes.

Mayor Harley adjourned meeting at 6:22pm.

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Mayor John R. Harley

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Attest by City Clerk Krista Bedingfield

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