Cochran council approves contracts, grants and personnel actions in first meeting of new term

COCHRAN, Ga. — At its Jan. 13 regular meeting, the Cochran City Council approved a series of administrative, contractual and personnel actions in the first session after the swearing-in of the new mayor and council.

The council voted unanimously to terminate the county interlocal agreement for building inspection services and to enter a contract with Falcon Design that, according to the motion, would allow the city to retain 80% of permit fees. Councilman Lonnie Tedders made the motion; Councilman Gary Ates seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Council approved two six-month extensions for liquor licenses held by Bobby Patel and A.J. Patel, extending the licenses through July 31. Councilmember Gary Ates moved the motions, which were seconded by Councilman Lonnie Tedders. Councilman Shane Savant voted against both extensions; the motions passed 5–1.

On grants, the council authorized staff to file a 2026 CHIP (Community Home Investment Program) application for $500,000 with a $30,000 local match. The motion, made by Councilman Gary Ates and seconded by Councilman Lonnie Tedders, carried 5–1 with Councilman Rufus Veal opposed. Separately, after debate over housing versus water/sewer priorities, the council voted on pursuing a CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) application focused on sewer infrastructure. The initial vote was tied; Mayor Carla D. Coley broke the tie by voting in favor of pursuing sewer infrastructure. The recorded votes before the mayoral tie-break were Savant, Lester and Veal (YES) and Tedders, Ates and Gardner (NO).

The council adopted a resolution to pursue legislation creating a Public Facilities Authority, described in the motion as a financing tool that would not obligate the city to issue debt. The resolution and several fee schedule updates were approved unanimously. The fee changes included a $25 after-hours utility reconnection fee, a $25 zoning verification letter fee and a $200 double-wide mobile home fee.

In executive-session business, the council voted to terminate City Clerk Candace Summerall's administrative leave and restore her to regular duties effective Jan. 20. The motion carried with four YES votes (Tedders, Savant, Ates and Gardner) and two NO votes (Veal and Lester).

City CPA Nicholas Coley presented the FY 2024–2025 audit and reported an unmodified (clean) opinion; the audit included a routine segregation-of-duties comment common to small municipalities. Council also accepted emergency-management reimbursements totaling $46,135.89 related to Hurricane Helene protective measures and debris removal, submitted by EMA Director Matt Kelley.

The meeting included routine departmental updates from City Manager Richard Newbern on planning and public-works projects and a request from councilmembers for earlier distribution of meeting packets to improve preparation.

Next steps: tabling was used for one agenda item — a proposal to designate the Peyton Williams Learning Center as a community resource center — which the council moved to the next meeting pending a full business plan. Several items approved at the Jan. 13 meeting require staff follow-up and, where applicable, state-level grant filings or legislative action.