TIFTON — Meredith Lipson with Mauldin & Jenkins went over the FY2017 audit with the Tifton City Council at the Feb. 5 workshop meeting.

Lipson said that the city received an unqualified clean report for FY2017, which is the desired result. 

She said that there were strong operations in the enterprise funds and that the Tift Theatre is the only thing operating at a slight loss. Lipson added that this is very common for cultural items and is nothing for the city to be concerned about.

Lipson also said that the was an increase of more than $1 million in equity for the pension fund and a decrease of more than $3 million in the net pension liability, which was achieved by making contributions into the fund to bring the liability down.

A resolution to transfer assets and administration of the city’s retirement plan to the Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System Plan and Trust was also discussed at the meeting.

The resolution was later approved at the special called meeting that took place immediately after the workshop. It authorized City Manager Pete Pyrzenski to begin discussions and build a retirement plan to present to the council.

City Attorney Rob Wilmot addressed the council about privatizing probation services and entering into a contract with Professional Court Services, Inc. to provide those services. 

Wilmot said that both the State and Superior courts already utilize this company for probation services. He also said that since probation is complicated and time consuming more local governments are contracting out to specialized private companies.

This service would benefit indigent cases and those who are facing financial hardship by allowing them to do more community service instead of being put in jail for not paying fines and thus violating the terms of their probation.

The resolution passed unanimously during the special called meeting.

The council also approved an agreement with the Georgia Historic Preservation Division to put up a kiosk talking about the historic value of two buildings that are slated for demolition to make way for a downtown parking lot.

An ordinance requesting a modification to reclassify certain lots from single family to two family dwellings was brought before the council. 

Todd Buckner, who is developing duplexes in the Mill Creek subdivision, located off of Whiddon Mill Road, asked the council to consider reclassifying two adjoining lots, which would continue the development that is already there.

Houston Shultz, director of Environmental Management, said that the planning and zoning committee reviewed the request and recommended it for approval.

The council will vote on it at the regular meeting on Feb. 19.

The council reviewed a bid to add more parking and better parking lot entrances and exits to the Leroy Rogers Senior Center.

The senior center currently has 25 parking spots, which will be increased to a total of 74 spaces. 

Adam Cobb with ESG said the sole bid of $276,801.50 for the project was received from Reeves Construction.

Staff recommended that the bid be accepted, Cobb said.

Pyrzenski added that the project was budgeted for under SPLOST and came in under the $300,000 budget that had been allocated for it.

The council discussed a resolution in support of House Bill 419, which will give more local control to local governments over fireworks. 

HB419 puts shooting fireworks under noise ordinances, which local governments control. The only exceptions are Jan. 1 and July 4.

The bill is still active in the State Senate.

Pyrzenski informed the council about possible TSPLOST projects that have been suggested by the Georgia Department of Transportation.

The suggested projects included possibly widening 8th Street from Virginia Avenue to the overpass over Interstate 75, which Pyrzenski said is very busy and the chokepoint where the two lane road turns into a single lane slows traffic.

A region-wide vote for TSPLOST is set for March.

If the 18-county regional Tift County is a part of passes it overall, it will go into effect for the whole region.

Recent increases in panhandling and begging were also discussed.

While there are aggressive begging ordinances already on the books, there have been more complaints about people walking around asking for money, particularly downtown, according to Mayor Julie Smith.

“There are people who are in need, but there are some who take advantage,” Smith said.

She advocated city and county law enforcement agencies working together and identifying the available resources in the area for people who do need help.

“We need to balance compassion with protecting your right to walk down the street without being asked for money,” she said. 

Pyrzenski said that loitering ordinances could deter some of the issues. 

Wilmot said ordinances about panhandling and begging have to be carefully worded in order to not run into issues of unconstitutionality.

Pyrzenski also informed the council about Ruth’s Cottage asking the city for in kind donations for their new facility, specifically with possible waving fees for permits and utility turn-on fees. 

A resolution designating the Rhythm and Ribs BBQ Festival in March a festival under the city’s festival ordinance was discussed. 

If the council approves, this designation will allow alcohol sales within the festival area.

Amended alcohol licenses were considered for The Gin and The Shell Station on US Highway 41 and new alcohol licenses were considered for Save-a-Lot, El Patron, located at 451 Fulwood Blvd. and Taco Loco, located at 307 W. 12th St.

Follow Eve Guevara on Twitter @EveGuevaraTTG.