Hogansville City Council will open bids for new city hall July 6

Published 10:00 am Friday, June 19, 2020

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The city of Hogansville announced Monday night that the bid opening for renovations to the city’s future city hall will begin July 6 at 2 p.m.

The city plans to move the location for city hall from the Royal Theatre building to the PNC Bank building once renovations are complete.

In other action from the meeting, Kelly discussed other ordinances that are being worked on.

“We do have a planning and zoning ordinance meeting, and I do hope to be back in front of you all with at least three ordinances that we’ve been working on for a while,” said Interim City Manager Lisa Kelly.

Kelly said one of those ordinances include a winery and tiny homes.

“Additionally, Department of Transportation approved three of the four requests for lighted crosswalks,” Kelly said. “We are still trying to get that fourth approval and we hope that it will come through.”

The council also voted to authorize Kelly to renew the property, casualty and liability insurance with AmGuard Insurance through J. Smith Lanier in the amount of $102,753 for the 2020/21 premium year. This coverage is applicable for all city property, vehicles, infrastructure and claims against the city like elected officials, police department and more.

According to Kelly, other quotes came in at $126,700 from Traveler’s Insurance and $134,000 from Selective Insurance.

The city also renewed its audit engagement agreement with Wilcox & Bivings.

Kelly said that this type of agreement is typically bid every three years. Staff went through the bid process last year and Wilcox & Bivings remained the lowest cost for audit services. Other proposals came in at as much as $40,000 for the basic auditing services, according to the city.

The total cost for basic auditing services is quoted at $25,000. An additional $6,000 to $8,500 is quoted for single audit services, which is a requirement if federal funds of $750,000 are received through CDBGs.

Additionally, during the meeting, the city council approved the renewal of employee benefits.

“We went with a partially self-funded insurance plan two years ago and it has been hugely successful,” Kelly said. “We have been able to lower our employee’s premiums. We’ve been able to make slight adjustments within the plans over the last two years. The plan is working, and we are in a better position now as far as employee benefits.”

Kelly said the total effect of the increase is approximately $32 per year, per employee and will vary some depending on the type of coverage the employee has chosen. This amount is reflected in the proposed budget. No changes to employee’s deductions is being proposed.

Additionally, there will be a 0.67% increase to medical coverage compared to last year’s 1.7% increase.

Kelly attributed the low increase to employees staying healthy overall.

The city council will meet again on July 6 at 7 p.m. at Hogansville City Hall.