On Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 6:30 PM, the City of Brooklet held its Public Hearing and City Council Meeting at 104 Church St., Brooklet, GA. The meeting, presided over by Mayor Nicky Gwinnett, commenced with a call to order, an invocation by Carter Crawford, and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council members Rebecca Kelly, James Harrison, Hubert K. Roughton, and Bradley Anderson were also in attendance.
The agenda for the evening was considered for approval, followed by the Public Hearing for the FY2026 Budget Review, which began at 6:30 PM. City Attorney Ben Perkins, City Clerk Lori Phillips, Planning & Zoning Administrator Melissa Pevey, and Chief Michelle Reolegio were present, and discussions and questions were entertained from both the Mayor and City Council, as well as Austin Volkert, a community member who had requested to speak. Following the budget review and after the required time to transition had passed, a motion was made to conclude the Public Hearing and transition into the City Council Meeting.
The minutes from the May 10, 2025 Work Session and the May 15, 2025 Work Session & City Council Meeting were unanimously approved.
A significant discussion revolved around a proposed statue in honor of Emily Grace Mayo at the site where the tragic event of her untimely death occurred. Volkert, who had been in communication with Emily Grace's maternal grandfather, mentioned that the girl's favorite activities at the park were the monkey bars and the swings, and that a memorial at the park, possibly incorporating these elements, would best commemorate her.
Councilman Roughton noted that the recreation department was in talks with the girl's aunt and emphasized the need for everyone to be in agreement before proceeding. Volkert agreed to contact the recreation department and inquired about funding. Roughton reiterated his desire for everyone to be on board with the whole plan, and it was noted that the Mayor and Council members were all in agreement to move forward with some type of memorial.
Mayor Gwinnett and Mr. Roughton will reach out to the recreation department to put a plan in place.
Another point of discussion involved Councilman Kelly, who raised concerns about overflowing ditches needing to be cleaned out and tall grass, which he noted could lead to snakes. City Attorney Ben Perkins addressed a residency question for Councilman Harrison, who will be moving outside city limits temporarily during the construction of his new house.
Perkins clarified that Georgia law focuses on intent regarding residency, and Harrison can legally continue to serve as a council member.The May Financial Reports were unanimously approved.
City Manager Carter Crawford provided a report, mentioning an informal interview with one candidate for the City Manager position, with mid-July as the target filling the vacancy. He also reported saving $3,000 on a new trailer and a satisfactory water system report. Crawford noted that he met with the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club to discuss ways to collect donations for the Brooklet Police Department.
The Knights suggested creating a foundation similar to that of Statesboro Police Department and Bulloch County Sheriff's Office. They will gather the essential information and provide it to Mr. Crawford so he can present it to Council.
Phillips reported the city has been actively managing various tasks, including responding to dig requests, processing open records, handling significant financial receipts from LMIG2023 and SPLOST, and preparing for full-service utility billing in June, which will save printing costs compared to previous postcard methods.
Chief of Police Michelle Reolegio gave the monthly crime analysis for May 2025, which consisted of one homicide, one felony theft, one animal complaint, six agency assists, three civil complaints, five miscellaneous (traffic detail/public service), two vandalism/trespass/property damage crimes, four traffic accidents, and 101 issued citations.
Wesley Parker of Parker Engineering, LLC, the City Engineer, provided his report. City Attorney Ben Perkins also delivered a report.
Pevey's report included the addition of city cell phones for public works and administration, with no further need for monthly reimbursements. She gave an update on the need for a Development of Regional Impact (DRI), which is require for a proposed development of 400 or more homes. Hayden Rollins is in receipt of the information and the City Attorney plans to review it upon Rollins' return of paperwork. It will take up to 30 days for approval once all documents have been submitted. Pevey has begun her hours for clerk certification.
Wesley Parker of Parker Engineering provided updates on the sidewalk project, which is moving to the next phase, and the sewer project, which is currently concentrating on Depot Street. There was also discussion regarding flooded homes at 101 Ingram Street and 103 Ingram Street, with a GEMA program as a potential option.
Roughton emphasized looking at all options and doing due diligence, and the Mayor inquired about a retention pond, which Parker indicated could be an option in the field on Lee Street.
Discussion items included the consideration of a motion to approve a resolution to adopt the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget for the City of Brooklet, Georgia, which would appropriate expenditures/expenses and adopt revenue anticipations while prohibiting expenditures from exceeding available funding.
The Second Reading and Approval of Ordinance No. 2025-024 also took place, which amends Chapter 26 of the Code of Ordinances to provide penalties for delinquent payment of ad valorem taxes, provide for notice, severability, an effective date, and repeal conflicting ordinances.
Finally, the First Reading of Ordinance No. 2025-025 was conducted, an ordinance amending Chapter 50 of the Code of Ordinances to provide requirements for connection to the City of Brooklet's sanitary sewer system, provide for notice, severability, an effective date, and repeal conflicting ordinances.
The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.
