BALDWIN, Ga. — The Baldwin City Council will swear in newly elected members and begin discussions on staffing, public safety and policy matters during a work session Tuesday night.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Baldwin Municipal Courtroom, 155 Willingham Ave.
The session will open with the swearing-in of Mayor Doug Faust and newly elected council members Joe Elam, Post 4, and Mike Tope, Post 5, marking the start of a new administration following November’s municipal election.
Faust won the mayor’s race with support from voters in both Habersham and Banks counties. Following the election, Faust said he views the role as an opportunity to work collaboratively and emphasized the importance of listening to residents as the city plans for the future.
Tuesday’s meeting will also operate under a new council meeting schedule approved by the city. Under the revised format, the council will hold a work session on the first Tuesday of each month and a regular council meeting on the third Tuesday.
City officials say the change is designed to give council members additional time to review agenda items and seek clarification before formal votes are taken. Previously, the council held its work session and regular meeting back to back on the same night.
Following the swearing-in, council members are expected to nominate a mayor pro tempore and discuss availability for a spring retreat.
Several agenda items focus on staffing and public safety, including a proposed addition of a code compliance position and the creation of new budget line items for a school resource officer. Council members will also discuss firefighter schedule trials and the potential sale of a fire department mini pumper.
The council will review a solid waste collection agreement with Waste Away and consider a proposed code of ethics ordinance.
City officials plan to announce that 2025 property tax bills are expected to be mailed Tuesday, with payments due by the close of business March 9. City offices will be closed Jan. 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
No votes are expected during the work session, though items discussed could advance to a future council meeting for formal action.
