Kingsland Appoints Johnson; Raises Water Deposit by $100

RISON - Samantha Johnson was appointed by the Kingsland City Council last Thursday to fill to the Ward 2, Position 1 vacancy left by the resignation of Sandra Laws last month.In addition, the Kingsland City Council voted to raise the water deposit fee by $100, and also decided against pursuing a possible purchase the former Kingsland School bus barn property.Johnson will complete the remainder of Laws’ term, which expires Dec. 31, 2026. She was nominated by council member Linda Burns, and her nomination was approved by the other two council members, Keith Spencer and Lee Penister, as well.Editor's Note: The original print edition of this article misidentified council member Linda Burns as Laura.After the council approved her nomination, Johnson was sworn in by Cleveland County Judge Jimmy Cummings at the meeting.When the vacancy came up during the city council meeting, Mayor Karen Wiscaver suggested former Kingsland mayor and former city council member Sharon Crosby for the open seat. However, Wiscaver pointed out that the mayor can only make a suggestion, but cannot actually nominate someone to fill a city council vacancy.The Kingsland City Council consists of four positions, with two representations from each of the city’s two wards.Water FeeAfter proposing a $500 water deposit for new connections during the May council meeting, the Kingsland City Council decided last week to raise the fee from $200 to $300 instead. Wiscaver said the new connection fee will be implemented immediately.During last month’s meeting, Betty Graham, manager of the Kingsland Water Office, asked the city council to consider raising the water deposit fee. She said she was seeing customers, mostly renters, moving out of their residence with outstanding water bills beyond the $200 deposit.Last year, Kingsland had to raise its water and sewer rates to be in compliance with ...