BALDWIN — The Baldwin City Council voted this week to reallocate $100,000 from its Operations and Maintenance Reserve Fund to replace two failed sewer collection system pumps at the Regency Lift Station.
Chief Administrative Officer Emily Woodmaster told council members the pumps, which are roughly 15 to 20 years old, have reached the end of their useful life.
Mechanical Pumping Electrical (MPE) Services quoted the city $47,790 to replace one pump or $93,500 for both — a modest savings of about $2,000 if purchased together. MPE Services Assistant Vice President Rick Barron wrote in an Oct. 3 letter to Public Works Director Scott Barnhart that replacing both pumps now would be more cost-effective and avoid future price increases.
Baldwin has struggled with repeated water line breaks and equipment failures since a major line ruptured under U.S. 441 in February, prompting the city to declare a state of emergency in July. The council is pursuing emergency grant funding and recently received $1.25 million in Appalachian Regional Commission funds for a separate $2.5 million project, with the remainder expected from a Georgia Environmental Finance Authority loan.
Millage Rate Hearing
During the same meeting, the council held its third of five public hearings on the proposed 2026 millage rate. The tentative rate stands at 11.273 mills — a 2.103-mill increase from last year.
Only two residents spoke: mayoral candidate Doug Faust and former mayor Joe Elam, both opposing the increase. Elam argued the city was overspending despite having $2.54 million in cash on hand, citing the 2024 audit. Mayor Stephanie Almagno and Woodmaster clarified that roughly half those funds were restricted federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act, which must be used for specific projects.
The city’s proposed general fund budget for fiscal 2026 totals $6.53 million, an increase of $330,000 from last year, excluding last year’s park project. More than 70 percent of spending is allocated to public safety.
Two additional budget hearings are scheduled for Oct. 16 at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Baldwin Police Department Municipal Courtroom, 155 Willingham Ave.
