Brooklet council imposes spending moratorium, sets RNCC rental at $50/day for county recreation use

The Brooklet City Council on April 18 adopted an immediate spending moratorium and a set of expenditure controls while staff prepare materials for a May review, and set the rental rate for the RNCC when used by the Bulloch County Recreation Department at $50 per day, according to council minutes.

Councilwoman Rebecca Kelly moved to amend and approve the agenda and Councilman Brad Anderson seconded; the amendment carried 5-0. During the fee discussion the council established the $50 daily rental rate for the RNCC for the weeks it is in operation and directed Councilman Phillip Oliver to notify the Bulloch County Recreation Department (BCPRD). City Attorney Ben Perkins was tasked with revising the existing agreement to reflect the new rate for formal approval at the May meeting.

The council reviewed and agreed to implement an FY26 Expenditure Control Action Plan intended to stabilize the city’s finances. Measures include an immediate freeze on all non-essential spending, continuation of regular payroll (with overtime permitted only for pre-approved emergencies), and a prohibition on new purchases, contracts, or financial commitments without explicit authorization. The plan limits permitted spending to regular payroll, legal obligations, and essential services such as utilities, public safety, fuel, and insurance; previously approved contracts will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Departments seeking emergency spending must submit written justification; both the mayor and the mayor pro‑tem must approve emergency expenditures, and any disagreement between them requires full Council approval. The plan also protects special revenue funds from being used for general operations without Council approval and requires justification and an impact analysis for any proposed transfer.

To centralize controls, purchase requests will be routed through the City Clerk/Acting City Manager for review by the mayor and mayor pro‑tem, with Council involvement if leadership cannot agree. Oversight measures include weekly financial updates to Council, monthly reporting on cash balances and obligations, and monthly detailed check/payment listings for all accounts.

Council assigned immediate tasks to prepare for FY27 budget planning: Interim City Manager Lori Phillips will provide FY26 budget details for Council review; Councilman Brad Anderson will perform a revenue analysis; Councilwoman Rebecca Kelly will track legal expenses and contract labor; Councilman Phillip Oliver will compile Police, Streets, and Water expense categories; Mayor L.W. "Nicky" Gwinnett, Jr. will review sanitation-related expenses; and Mayor Pro‑Tem Sheila Wentz will review P‑card activity, overtime, and leave tracking. The council scheduled a tentative FY27 budget workshop in May; the tentative budget should be approved in May and the final budget adopted by June 30 per Georgia law.

The meeting concluded with agreement to proceed under the outlined financial control measures and to reconvene for review. Councilman Hubert K. Roughton left the meeting before adjournment; a motion to adjourn carried 4-0.