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At the start of the Hogansville City Council meeting on Jan. 6, new interim council member Jason Baswell was sworn in.

Baswell is taking over the seat vacated by Councilman Matthew Morgan who resigned during the council meeting on Dec. 16. Baswell was appointed to the council to replace him until the election in November.

After City Attorney Alex Dixon swore in Baswell, the council voted to set municipal qualifying fees for the November election. The Post 2 council seat, currently occupied by Baswell, and Mayor Jake Ayers seats are up for grabs in November. As required by state law the council set qualifying fees of $126 for mayor and $108 for the council seat.

City Manager Lisa Kelly said that the qualifying fees are not changing as they are based on the salaries for each position and the mayor and council member’s pay have not changed for many years.

The council also approved a contract to replace the spire on the Royal Theater as part of the ongoing renovation project for the historic theater. The city received a 50/50 grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts to help pay for replacing the spire in the amount of $49,614.

The city requested bids for the project and the low bid came in at $99,228. The city also received a donation to help pay for the spire in the amount of $35,000, leaving a total cost of $14,614 to the city.

Kelly said money left over from the renovations and SPLOST funds can pay for the remainder.

The council unanimously approved the contract for $99,228.

The council tabled a discussion on replacing the front doors to the theater.

The council also voted to temporarily close Home Street due to the roadway failing and getting worse. Kelly said they believe if the roadway is left open it could cause damage to other infrastructure.

A total repair of the street is expected to cost upwards of $220,000, which the city doesn’t have, so the road will be closed temporarily. Kelly said they plan to use annual state road funding in the amount of $60,000 from both 2025 and 2026, along with SPLOST funds to repair the road, which is estimated to be closed for about a year and a half.

“There is no intention to close this street permanently. We know we need it open,” Kelly said.

In other business, the council:

• Voted to surplus three high-mileage police vehicles.
• Voted to appoint the mayor and city manager as MEAG and MGAG voting delegates.
• Voted to continue a line of credit with Community Bank and Trust for 2025.
• Voted to appoint Council Member Mandy Neese as Mayor Pro-Tem in a 3-2 vote, with Council Members Baswell, Neese and Mark Ayers voting in favor and Council Members Kandis Strickland and Michael Taylor, Jr. against. Strickland had previously nominated Taylor.