Demorest is expanding a program aimed at saving its water customers money. The city council Thursday night approved a proposal from ServLine to provide leak protection coverage for all customers with a residential meter. Currently, only those whose water accounts are in their own name are eligible.
ServLine will also offer businesses leak protection. The cost for residential coverage is $1.15 per month. Single-occupancy businesses will pay $8.50 per month, and multi-occupancy businesses will pay $17 monthly. In exchange for the monthly payment, ServLine will cover water bill overages due to leaky pipes up to $2,500.
The leak protection program is a voluntary service and is not required by the city. For details and to sign up for the program, contact Demorest City Hall.
City of Diversity
At a time when some politicians are actively campaigning against diversity initiatives, Demorest City Councilmember John Hendrix is advocating for them.
Hendrix would like to see the city become a Certified City of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). The certification is offered through the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA). Hendrix explained GMA has spent the last three years developing the program.
According to GMA’s website, Certified City of DEIB “was created to recognize cities that adopt policies and practices promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within their municipal government and community.”
To become certified, the city must adopt two resolutions affirming its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). The first resolution must state the city’s intent to apply for certification, and the second resolution must be adopted annually, declaring the city’s continuing commitment to the DEIB program.
In addition, a majority of the city council must complete a minimum of three hours of DEIB training. The city must host two interactive community stakeholder meetings within one calendar year. The city must apply for the certification in at least two of the following categories: workforce housing, health and well-being, public safety and restorative justice, community and economic development, municipal workforce development and employment, and/or community dialogue/stakeholder engagement.
“We are already kind of working towards some of the categories that are listed,” said Demorest Mayor Pro Tem Shawn Allen. City Attorney Thomas Mitchell recommended to the council they discuss the details of the resolution and the categories at a work session.
A ‘proactive approach’ to dealing with panhandlers
As Demorest looks to promote greater inclusivity, it also seeks to curb panhandling within its city limits.
The council is considering a panhandling ordinance to address what is becoming an increasingly common activity in Habersham County.
Demorest City Manager Mark Musselwhite calls the ordinance a “proactive approach.”
During their work session, the city council discussed that a homeless person had stopped in a resident’s yard to cool off in the shade but had been hanging around for quite some time. Officers were notified, and the homeless individual moved on without incident.
Musselwhite said it’s a “sad situation” but added that the city needs to get ahead of it.
The topic of homelessness led to a discussion about panhandling, which has become an issue around Lowes and Walmart in Cornelia, Musselwhite said.
Demorest is still in the process of crafting a panhandling ordinance, closely following one that is already in use in Hoschton, Georgia. Mitchell helped write that ordinance.
The council waived the first reading of the proposed ordinance so that changes can be made. The council will revisit the matter at the special called meeting on Thursday, July 13.
