KINGSLAND - The Kingsland City Council decided to table a proposed ordinance that would implement building permit fees for constructing everything from new residential and commercial buildings to carports and storage sheds.
After the first reading of proposed Ordinance 2026-2 by Mayor Samantha Johnson during a special called meeting Thursday evening, the vote for passage after the first reading was split with council members Suny Blair and Linda Burns voting in favor and Lee Penister and Keith Spencer voting against it. Johnson voted in favor of it to break the tie.
During the discussion period that followed, Spencer told the council that if the city wanted to bring in new residents, this would be an obstacle to them. He pointed out that he had built carports and decks at his home and never needed a permit. "It's government adding more government," he said.
There was also discussion about who would do the inspections and would the city need to hire an inspector. After a few minutes, Burns made a motion to table the ordinance to do more investigation. Her motion was unanimously approved.
Burns then quickly made a motion to adjourn the meeting, which was also quickly approved.
About 40 people were in the audience with some of them asking throughout the meeting to comment on the proposed ordinance. Johnson said they were not in the public comments period yet, so none where allowed to speak.
When the meeting abruptly ended, some in the audience voiced their displeasure about not being allowed to speak. After a moment, Sheriff Jack Rodgers, Lt. Brad Young and two deputies from the Cleveland County Sheriff's Department stepped in to make sure the council members and mayor could left the room.
Deputies remained on the premises after the meeting as several lingered outside Kingsland City Hall before the crowd began to disperse after about 20 minutes.
The ordinance could be brought up again at the regular monthly meeting of the Kingsland City Council, which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27.