The elated spirit of many in the packed council chambers Dec. 11 and 12 in the new city hall at Chattahoochee Hill Country was difficult to put into words. For so many people who worked so hard to bring a vision into reality, it was the culmination of a movement for city-hood that began as a dream and became something alive, something that now has a life of its own.

Highlights of the Dec. 11 meeting included the swearing-in ceremonies for the mayor and council, the adoption of the city’s FY 2008 budget and the administration of oath to city management staff.

The meeting began as Mayor Don Hayes was sworn in, followed by District 1 Councilman John Taylor, District 2 Councilman Carl Hattaway, District 3 Councilman David Hanson, District 4 Councilwoman Faye Godwin and District 5 Councilman Rodney Peek. Hanson was later elected Mayor pro-tem.

Also at the meeting, Bob Simpson was appointed as interim city manager, Evyonne Browning was appointed acting city clerk and Bill Riley was appointed city attorney.

As significant as any topic on the agenda was the explanation of the new city’s budget. The General Fund sits at $1.394 million, with the Hotel/Motel Fund at $3,750 and the Capital Project Fund at $133,000. The millage rate was established at 5.659 mills, mirroring the rate from the county’s South Fulton Special Service District.

Property taxes accounted for the $719,435 of General Fund revenues, followed by city city’s share of local option sales tax (LOST) revenues at $412,749 and licenses and permits at $157,849. And as is customary with any city, police and fire services accounted for a large part of the expenditure side of the General Fund. Police services was budgeted at $259,095, with plans to have the department comprised of an administrator and five staff positions. The fire department budget totaled $597,772 with provisions for a chief and 12 staff.

The city’s municipal consultant, CH2M Hill, will provide much of the operational capability for city services, including financial management, human resources management and information technology. Hill’s Terry Todd will function as the company’s program manager for the new city.

The other multiple items on the agenda paved the way for municipal operations to begin in earnest.

In all, the Dec. 11 meeting held a unique character as well as a place in the history. There are few times today in America when a new city comes into existence. Filling the council chambers in Rico that night was a mix Chatt Hills Organizing Committee members who fought to have that night become a reality, many others who also who went to the polls to vote to have control over their own destiny and even those who initially opposed the new city. Today, all that is history. Tomorrow that destiny begins to unfold.

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