2025 4 15 Regular Session PACKET 1

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ATHENS CITY COUNCIL  
MINUTES OF REGULAR SESSION  
 Tuesday, March 18, 2025 
 
 
 
 
Page 5 of 8 
 
     Discussion began with City Manager Dowling explaining that an agreement between the City 
and the City Board of Education was approved in August 2020 regarding the new city school 
construction project and how the savings from the school consolidation would fund the annual 
debt payments. Currently, the city Board of Education pays the city $700,000 per year to go 
toward debt payments for the new schools. During the joint quarterly meeting conducted on 
February 24, 2025, the school board requested a reduction in the annual debt payment amount. 
Their rationale is that since the city schools have taken back Westside, they need additional funds 
for utility costs and to update that facility such as new doors, ceiling tiles, glass, new fire panel, 
water fountains, replacement HVAC system, new roof, and future cost including fire sprinkler 
system, furniture, and equipment. The school’s request is a reduction of $250,000 from $700,000 
to $450,000 per year.  
     City Manager Dowling also summarized the memo from City of Athens Finance Director.  
The memo offers a solution of giving the city schools $500,000 that they gave the city during 
June 2023 to go toward building the new schools and an additional $500,000 from the Capital 
Improvement Fund that has been held in reserves since 2016 for future funding of school debt. 
The $1,000,000 would cover about four years of the $250,000 request without any amendments 
to the original contract. City Manager Dowling noted that the situation can be reevaluated in four 
(4) years to determine future action.  
 
     Furthermore, the Finance Director is requesting that the 1984 funding agreement between the 
city and the city board of education be formally cancelled. 
 
     Additionally, City Attorney Caldwell recommended an amendment stating the cancellation of 
the 1984 agreement should be by mutual assent, ensuring both parties—the City and the School 
Board—agree to the cancellation.  
 
Mayor Eaton moved to approve the amendment for mutual assent; Vice Mayor Curtis 
seconded.  
 
Motion approved.  
 
Roll call vote:  
YEAS: Duggan, Pelley, Sherlin, Curtis, Eaton 
NAYS: None 
 
Original motion as amended.  
Motion approved.  
 
Roll call vote:  
YEAS: Duggan, Pelley, Sherlin, Curtis, Eaton 
NAYS: None 
 
 
-11- 
D. Linda Long - Appointment to Council Advisory Committee (Pelley) 
 
Councilmember Pelley moved to approve; Vice Mayor Curtis seconded.  
 
Motion failed.  
 
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