DEMOREST, Ga. — The Demorest City Council will take up a slate of governance and infrastructure-related items Tuesday night, including a long-awaited return to the table on proposed 2026 water rates that were postponed last month amid questions from council members.
The council is scheduled to meet for a work session at 6 p.m., followed by its regular meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at the Demorest Municipal Conference Center, 250 Alabama St.
Among the most closely watched agenda items is consideration of 2026 water rates. The council tabled a decision on the rates during its December meeting to allow for additional review and discussion after concerns were raised about the proposed increases and their impact on customers. The issue will be discussed during the work session and is listed for possible action during the regular meeting.
Council members will also hold a public hearing and consider a second reading of multiple home rule amendments to the city charter. The proposed changes address a range of operational issues, including procedures for the sale or lease of city property, ordinance adoption processes, contracting requirements, and the powers and duties of the mayor. Final action on the amendments is expected Tuesday following the public hearing.
In other business, the council is set to make mayoral appointments, including naming a mayor pro tem and designating authorized check signers. The agenda also includes consideration of the city’s Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) funding, which is used for street and road projects.
The council will also consider declaring surplus a 1997 Simon fire truck and review a proposed city manager contract. A manager’s report and review of financials are scheduled near the end of the regular meeting.
During the earlier work session, council members are expected to discuss a workers’ compensation policy, damage to the city gym and a related proposal, as well as the water rates, LMIG funding and the potential surplus of the fire truck.
Both meetings will include opportunities for public comment, with speakers asked to limit remarks to two minutes.
