Hiram Council Approves FY2012 Budget

The voted Tuesday to approve the fiscal year 2012 budgets for General, Water, Hotel Motel, Sanitation, and Confiscated Fund during its October meeting.

The council also voted to amend the FY2011 budget in the amount of $52,000 for two change orders associated with prior construction costs to city offices dating back 2010. Both budget agenda items, , passed unanimously.

In two additional items of business, the council voted to allow Mayor Jack Paris to enter into an agreement with Municode to codify city ordinances, and another to allow Paris to enter into an agreement with Appalachian Valley Fiber Network (AVFN), a public-private partnership established to develop and expand broadband capabilities in northwest Georgia and eastern Alabama. The high-speed fiber optic infrastructure could potentially serve facilities such as the WellStar Hospital in Hiram, or other businesses throughout Paulding County.

Both agenda items were approved contingent to review by the city attorney.

Prior to that, the council heard presentations from Economic Development Board representative Hugh Smith and Paulding County Economic Development Director Jamie Gilbert regarding the first six months of the organization’s activities since appointing Gilbert director in March. Gilbert told the council that the target industries for the county include aerospace, aviation, health care and medical, renewable energy, auto suppliers and food processing. PCED will be opening offices in the Regions Bank building in downtown Dallas, Gilbert said.  

Lee McDaniel addressed the council regarding the Ham Radio Club. Amateur Radio Emergency Services are often called on in severe weather or other disaster situations, McDaniel said, to play a key role in communications. McDaniel proposed adding a VHF repeater system and antenna to the Hiram water tower facing Highway 278 to assist ARES operators. McDaniel said the system would allow for data transmissions as well as verbal and said it would not cost the city anything. City Operations Manager Jody Palmer requested another meeting for some additional clarification regarding the positioning of the antenna prior to making the final decision.  

New business agenda items included:

A variance application by Scott Anderson asking for reduced buffer zones on about 8.695 acres on the west side of State Route 92 (also known as Hiram Douglasville Highway); north of State Route 120 Connector (Hiram Sudie Road). A public hearing held earlier during the meeting drew no comments and the council voted to approve the application with Councilwoman Earlene Graham abstaining.

The council approved three new alcohol license applications to:

• , 4439 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway. New alcohol license (retail package: for the sale of beer and wine) alcohol license renewal for license year 2012.
• RCS Foods doing business as , 5460 Wendy Bagwell Parkway—renewal for alcohol license (retail consumption on premises: full pouring license)
• H, 5464 Wendy Bagwell Parkway—transfer of alcohol licensee (retail consumption on premises: full pouring license).

The council also recognized Micah Gravley with the Paulding Public Safety Appreciation Proclamation on behalf of the Paulding Public Safety Appreciation Inc. Board and Family Festival event, .

Chandler Postlewait was given the National Red Ribbon Week Proclamation, presented to a Young Marine Private First Class on behalf of the Young Marine Program.

And Paris presented City Clerk Terri Graham the University of Georgia Certified Municipal Clerk Certificate, recognizing her as a certified municipal clerk.

Prior to adjournment, Paris mentioned that he would join Dallas Mayor Boyd Austin at the .