On August 13, 2025, the Brooklet City Council convened for a special called meeting. In attendance at the meeting were Mayor Pro-Tem Hubert Roughton, Councilwoman Rebecca Kelly, Councilwoman Sheila Wentz, Councilman Bradley Anderson, City Manager Paul Dyal, City Clerk Lori Phillips, and Planning & Zoning Administrator Melissa Pevey.
After the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Pro-Tem Hubert K. Roughton opened the floor to any guests who were signed up to speak.
Brooklet resident, Dave Bircher, voiced concerns about the city council's procedures, suggesting improvements for greater efficiency and transparency. He questioned the necessity of a special meeting for a routine matter and pointed out that the meeting's agenda lacked a clear statement emphasizing that the meetings are open to the public.
Bircher believes this omission could contribute to low public participation and suggested that a simple addition to the agenda would help foster better communication as the city grows, possibly encouraging citizens to speak at future meetings. Roughton thanked Bircher for his participation and agreed that the Council will work to find new ways to reach Brooklet's ever-growing community.
Following the discussion with Bircher, Gil Howard, a long-time resident of Brooklet, offered candid commentary that shifted the focus from the council's procedures to the community's engagement. Howard dismissed the idea that the council was at fault, instead blaming a "deep-seated sense of apathy" among Brooklet's citizens. He emphasized that the city hall is "their building" and that council members "work for the City of Brooklet."
Howard challenged residents who complain about the government's actions to attend the monthly meetings, stating, "If it's too much trouble to take one hour a month out of your schedule, you don't belong in Brooklet." He concluded with a direct message: "If you don't show up, shut up. If you show up and want to say something, sign in, speak your voice, because that's the American way."
His comments served as a strong defense of the council's accessibility and placed the responsibility for public engagement on the shoulders of the residents themselves.
The council then moved on to the agenda items. The first item was the second reading and approval of an ordinance to amend the compensation of the mayor and council members. The ordinance, which will go into effect on January 1, 2026, will increase the mayor's monthly compensation to $375, the Mayor Pro Tem's to $300, and each council member's to $225.
This increase was based on a survey of other communities and is intended to attract more people to seek office. Councilwoman Kelly made a motion to approve, and Councilwoman Wentz seconded, while Councilman Anderson abstained. The ordinance was approved.
The second item was the consideration of an intergovernmental agreement with Bulloch County for a Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST). If approved by county voters in a November referendum, this 1% sales tax would generate approximately $171,000 for the City of Brooklet annually. The revenue would be used to lower the millage rate on property taxes.
The funds would be collected starting in January 2026, with the first distribution to the city in July 2027. Councilman Anderson made a motion to approve and Councilwoman Wentz seconded. The council approved the motion to move forward with the agreement.
It was announced that nominations for the three open seats on the Brooklet City Council will begin on Monday, August 18, at 8:30 a.m.
The meeting concluded at 8:01pm.