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Politics & Government

Hiram Council Approves City Charter Amendment

A resolution that could eventually lead to the addition of a city manager will be sent to the state legislature.

Hiram councilmen approved Tuesday a measure to amend the city charter, which will eventually allow officials to add a city manager to the payroll.

But while the charter would allow for a city manager to be added to staff in the short term, how soon a salaried position would become available, if approved by the state, could depend on the city’s budget numbers in the new fiscal year, according to Councilwoman Kathy Bookout.

Councilmen plan to present their resolution to the state legislature during their current session for approval. The city will also elect its next mayor by special election next month.

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In addition to a unanimous vote on the charter item, the council moved swiftly through several other tabled items Tuesday, including contract renewals with Paulding County Economic Development and the 2012 Georgia Municipal Employee Benefit System program.

And the council approved an item to include the city in a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax project to upgrade the police department and public works radio system in compliance with Paulding County’s new radio system implementation through E-911 and future expenditure of SPLOST funds estimated not to exceed $210,000 for the project equipment and radio system infrastructure. Hiram Police Chief Gary Yandura said Tuesday that the system is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.

Find out what's happening in Dallas-Hiramwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Yandura told the council last week that the new radio system will increase the capacity to communicate among law enforcement and other agencies. Expenses to the city are primarily involved with hardware needed to link with county infrastructure.

The council also approved an item authorizing a list of surplus vehicles and other equipment to be sold through auction, salvage or trade, and another item authorizing the Hiram Police Department to purchase a license plate recognition system using $10,000 awarded by the 2011 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistant Grant and available SPLOST funds for the remaining balance of $6,980.

Following another approved measure, the city will enter into an agreement with Sutton Consulting for professional services. Sutton Consulting will assist Hiram with upcoming Local Option Sales Tax negotiations.

And the council approved an $11,000 SPLOST expenditure to Sport Surfaces International Inc. for the repair and resurfacing of the Ben Hill Strickland Sr. Memorial Park tennis and basketball courts. 

Lastly, the council approved the renewal of three alcohol-on-premises consumption full pouring licenses without changes to , , and Shell Food Mart.

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