From Bob Schwartz, City Manager
→ International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) – Lauran has received the attached
certification from the IIMC. This requires several years including work experience and
coursework. It is not automatic and not all city clerks achieve the IIMC designation.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
→ November Court – Court was held Thursday, November 21, 2013. There were 19 speeding
tickets in the 35 mph zone with an average speed of 52.3 mph. The high speed was 56 mph.
There were 5 tickets in the 25 mph zone with an average speed of 45 mph. The high speed was
54 mph.
→ Shooting Range– On Wednesday the police department made its annual visit to the shooting
range for required training and qualification. Everyone qualified.
→ MEAG Mayors Summit – Mayor Roseberry and I attended the MEAG Mayors Summit last
weekend. Here’s some of what I learned:
o Bob Johnston, president of MEAG
• The MEAG budget is up about 5% for CY2014. 2014 is the peak debt service
year. It is also the year that the maximum amount is coming out of the competitive
trust. Some cities are using some of the competitive trust funds to offset some of
the cost increase.
• The MEAG system is using less KwH than it was using ten years ago. When we
spread increasing costs over a declining usage, the cost per KwH goes up.
• EPA is likely to issue carbon dioxide emission standards for existing coal plants
(like our Plant Scherer) in about seven months.
o Dr. Donald Ratajczak, director of the economic forecasting center, Georgia State
University
• Predicts continued slow growth for the economy.
• Banks are doing better now, but we lost 87 banks during the economic downturn –
more than any other state
• Housing is priced at 2003 levels
• Tax digests are starting to improve, but have a long way to go.
→ Here’s an item from the Oxford College web site:
