The Harlem City Council approved the 2023 millage rate during its meeting on Monday, July 24.
After the third public hearing, where no members of the public were in attendance, council members voted to keep the millage rate the same at 9.35 mills with the adoption of resolution 2023-10. City Manager Debbie Moore said nothing had changed between the first and second hearing.
Council members also recognized the Harlem High School baseball team for its 2023 state championship. Harlem Mayor Roxanne Whitaker presented a proclamation to Head Coach Jimmie Lewis and the baseball team.
“The whole season has just been a wonderful season,” Whitaker said. “With that we wanted to recognize ya’ll. I know not everyone is here, but I don’t care if you were there in person or if you were watching it on Facebook, everyone was on the edge of their seats…We’re very proud of ya’ll and just having that little celebration in the middle of town when ya’ll came home, I hope that just showed ya’ll how much the City of Harlem supports their students and coaches.”
Lewis told council members they couldn’t have won the state championships without having great baseball players, which Harlem High School does.
“We had players that were team oriented,” Lewis said. “We had players that had great work ethic. We had players that did not think they could lose. They gave everything they had.”
Lewis also said the success wouldn’t have been possible without all of the assistance coaches and a supportive athletic director. He also thanked the fans for being so supportive.
Council members approved the first reading of ordinance 2310, which amends chapter 102 building regulations to allow for a new article regarding exterior lighting in the military lighting overlay district. The ordinance states an outdoor light study was conducted for Fort Gordon and discusses the impact of excessive artificial light during nighttime on military training. The study recommends establishing a military lighting overlay district within two miles of military training areas at Fort Gordon.
The first reading of ordinance 2311, which is to amend chapter 108 land use sec. 108-3 definitions and sect. 108-124 body art establishments, was approved. The ordinance states that city staff is recommending to update definitions related to body artists so there are consistent definitions with the Georgia Department of Public Health and clarifying the type of location.
Council members also approved the first reading of ordinance 2312, which amends chapter 16 nuisances, sec. 16-1 definitions and sec. 16-31 swimming pools and aquatic vessels. This ordinance states that Georgia law required fencing around a pool at one time, but beginning in 2009, local governments were given the responsibility for this determination. The ordinance provides a definition for barrier and requirements for the barrier.
Stephanie Hill is a staff writer covering Columbia County government for The Augusta Press. Reach her at stephanie@theaugustapress.com.
