Work Session

1 MINUTES WORK SESSION OF THE PERRY CITY COUNCIL Date: Location: December 1, 2025, 5:00 p.m. PERRY CITY HALL 808 CARROLL STREET, PERRY, GA 31069 Officials Present: Mayor Randall Walker Mayor Pro Tempore James Moody Council Member Darryl Albritton Council Member Phyllis Bynum-Grace Council Member Willie King Council Member Dan Peterson Officials Absent: Council Member Robert Jones Staff: Brooke Newby - City Attorney Robert Smith - City Manager Annie Warren - City Clerk Keyiera Johnson - Assistant City Clerk - Recording Clerk Holly Wharton - Economic Development Director Mitchell Worthington - Finance Director Joe Duffy - Director of Community Development Curtis Coates - Director of Leisure Services Chief Lee Parker- Fire and Emergency Services Department Chief Alan Everidge - Police Department Ansley White - Public Works Superintendent Jenny Burdeshaw - Human Resources Director Tabitha Clark - Director of Communications Amber Howell - Communications Specialist - Live Stream Operator _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order: Mayor Randall Walker, Presiding Officer, called to order the work session of the Perry City Council held December 1, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

2 2. Roll: The above were in attendance for a quorum. 3. Citizens with Input: Jerry Whitley, Vice President of Operations at Lennar Homes, 392 Pope Road, Concord, Georgia, expressed concerns about implementing a sewer connection fee. Troy Covington, Attorney for Lennar Homes, 977 Ponce de Leon, Atlanta, Georgia, voiced concerns with the sewer connection fee and its legality. Kecia Isgett, 101 Chinaberry Lane, spoke in favor of the sewer connection fee. Lindsay Bryant, Development Manager for the Loudermilk Companies, 106 Obsidian Drive, expressed concerns about the sewer connection fee, phased increases, and their effects on home construction. Clay Smith, 1208 Cater Circle, voiced concerns about the sewer connection fee and gave suggested alternatives. Lee Wingate, 4066 Coosa Drive, voiced concerns with the sewer connection fee. Scott Free, Coldwell Banker Free Reality broker, 1271 S Houston Lake Road, voiced concerns about the sewer connection fee and the possible reduction in commercial growth if implemented. Keith Newton, 3528 Hwy 41N, Byron, Georgia, voiced concerns with the sewer connection fee. Will Kendall, 257 Spring Chase Circle, voiced concerns with the sewer connection fee. 4. Items of Review/Discussion: 4.a Finance Department 1. Continued discussion of Implementation of Sewer Connection Fee - Mr. M. Worthington. Mr. Worthington stated that this is a continuation of the discussion following the presentation during the work session on November 17, 2025, regarding the implementation of a sewer connection fee. The proposed recommendation by Raftelis, presented during the work session on October 6, 2025, is to implement a sewer connection fee of $8,435.00 per equivalent residential unit (ERU) for all new sewer connections, effective November 1, 2025. The fee

3 is based on calculations showing that the total financed capital cost allocated to new customers amounts to $45,727,204.00. Staff originally recommended a phased implementation of the sewer connection fee. This would involve an initial 50% fee of $4,218.00 per ERU, effective January 1, 2026, with the full fee of $8,435.00 per ERU implemented on January 1, 2027. The number of ERUs will be determined by the size of the water meter installed. Following Council's request to postpone action on implementation until the rest of Council was present for voting and additional feedback from builders and developers, staff's new recommendation is to implement the sewer connection fee in a phased approach over the next three years, rather than two. The initial charge for sewer connection fees is set at $2,500 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU), effective January 1, 2026. This fee will increase to $5,450 per ERU on January 1, 2027, and further to $8,400 per ERU on January 1, 2028. One ERU is equivalent to a standard residential 3/4" water meter. In addition to implementing this sewer connection fee, it is recommended to discontinue the fee once the allocated capacity of approximately 5,421 ERUs has been utilized. The funds collected from these sewer connection fees will be used to cover a portion of the debt associated with the sewer system expansion, as well as the capital costs incurred to serve new customers. The collected funds will be kept in a separate account, and the city will provide annual updates to the public regarding the remaining balance for transparency. Additionally, Council will have the opportunity to review the collected fees each year to decide whether to implement the recommended increases according to the scheduled timeline. Mayor Pro Tempore Moody asked about the maximum capacity and the estimated time to reach it. He also inquired how the city will review the fee collections. Mr. Worthington responded that the study indicates new growth would contribute 1,545,000 gallons per day, which is equal to the maximum capacity of 5,421 equivalent residential units (EUR). He estimated it would take approximately 13.5 years to reach this capacity. He also stated the review will be conducted alongside the city budget, and once the capacity is reached, the fee will no longer be collected. Should Council decide to collect any amount below the recommended $8,400 ERU, the balance will then possibly be passed on to rate payers.

4 Councilmember Peterson stated this is a difficult decision, but it is not being taken lightly. He stated that past decisions by Council about growth have led to the requirement to implement a fee to cover the debt for the new wastewater treatment plant. Councilmember Albritton requested a review of the alternative options presented by Mr. Clay Smith. Councilmember King spoke on the continued growth of Perry and the requirement of infrastructure. 4.b Office of the City Attorney 1. Legality of Sewer Connection Fee - Ms. B. Newby. Ms. Newby reviewed the legal justification for the sewer connection fee and explained State Law O.C.G.A. § 36-71-13, which establishes the basis for collecting these fees without classifying them as impact fees. She highlighted key details from the City of Griffin vs. McDaniel case, demonstrating that the city was allowed to impose connection fees and capital recovery fees without being required to implement an impact fee program. 4.c Office of the City Manager 1. Discuss imposing a Moratorium on liquor stores - Mr. R. Smith. Administration stated that after an internal review of the alcohol license issuance and application process for liquor stores, a request is being made to impose a 180-day moratorium. This pause will allow the city time to assess the restrictions imposed by neighboring areas and ensure the City of Perry promotes a balanced mix of commercial development. 2. Response to Peggy Davis letter - Mr. R. Smith. During the regular meeting on October 21, 2025, a letter from Ms. Peggy Davis was presented to Council, where she expressed concerns about the Oldfield and Hill Top communities. In her letter, Ms. Davis outlined six grievances, stating that the city has neglected these neighborhoods. Administration confirmed that the city has never, and will never, provide services or invest in specific neighborhoods in a deliberately unequal manner, especially with regard to race or socioeconomic status. He emphasized the

5 significant investments made in predominantly minority neighborhoods, such as Sand Hill and Creekwood. To date, a total of $4,722,553.00 has been invested in housing improvements, new sidewalks, a new pickleball facility and splash pad, pedestrian lighting on General Courtney Hodges, and new playground equipment at Willie T. Williams Park. Administration also acknowledged the flooding concerns on James Street and stated that the city is continuing to explore options to create a second point of entrance and exit for the Hill Top neighborhood, while assuring that the city can effectively respond to emergencies should they arise. Additionally, the city is unaware of the referenced Weyerhaeuser Grant application and its funding process. Administration also mentioned that the city does not rent out A.D. Redmond Park in response to a request for permission to hold an event at that location. Administration informed that some requests within the small-area plan include action items that fall outside the City's scope and intent. He reviewed a memo from the previous administration outlining various items, indicating whether the city can pursue or provide them. 5. Council Member Items: Councilmember King requested that the ditch in his neighborhood be cleaned out. 6. Department Head/Staff Items: Ms. Wharton stated that following the Job Fair held on November 13, 2025, a new business reported hiring an employee as a direct result. Chief Everidge reminded the public of the alternate route for the Perry Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Road closures will begin at 9:15 a.m. 7. Mayor Items December 2, 2025 Pre Council at 5pm December 2, 2025 Regular Meeting at 6pm Mayor Walker reminded the public the Christmas Parade Route change will begin at New Hope Baptist Church, travel down Washington Street, turn left onto Main Street, and conclude at the Perry VA Clinic. The change is due to a construction project on General Courtney Hodges Boulevard.

6 8. Executive Session (If required): n/a 9. Action After Executive Session (As needed): n/a 10. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before Council in the work session held December 1, 2025, Mayor Pro Tempore Moody motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:20 p.m.; Councilmember King seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.