KINGSLAND - Mayor Samantha Johnson asked the Kingsland City Council to drop a proposed ordinance that would have established a building permit program for the city. The council also decided to hold a separate meeting to discuss the pay for the city attorney.
Both issues were discussed during the city council’s regular monthly meeting last Thursday.
Johnson said the council held a special meeting on Oct. 20 to discuss the building permit ordinance. The original proposal would have required residents to get building permits for everything from decks to room additions to new construction.
Twice, the city council tabled the measure after the original vote to move it forward was split 2-2. Council members Linda Burns and Suny Blair voted for it, while Keith Spencer and Lee Penister voted against it.
The ordinance was originally proposed by the mayor in August. It was discussed again in September, but no solution was reached, so the decision was made to hold a special meeting.
“After considering the proposed building permit ordinance, the concerns expressed by residents, and the practical responsibilities involved in implementing it, I respectfully recommend that the city council discontinue pursuing the proposal at this time,” Johnson told the council last Thursday night while reading from a prepared statement.
“Ultimately, this decision rests with the city council. I respect the council’s authority and will respect whatever decision you choose to make,” she added.
Council member Keith Spencer, who was the most vocal critic of the proposed ordinance, said in previous meetings that it would hinder future growth. He also expressed concerns about who would conduct the inspections.
Another topic discussed during the September meeting and brought up again last week was the pay for new Kingsland City Attorney Tristian Bransetter-Thomas. She was hired in August after former city attorney Thomas Burns of Rison resigned from the position.
Burns’ pay was recently raised from $300 to $400 p…