By Samantha Sinclair
Mt. Airy will be reviewing its ordinances in the coming months, getting all changes made in recent years and any other changes needed in one document.
The town’s ordinances have not been codified since 2009, Mayor Adam Tullis announced at the town council meeting Monday night.
“It’s past due, it needs to be done,” Tullis said.
In fact, because it is outdated, the town’s ordinances are no longer on Municode, which houses ordinances online for municipalities.
And, he said it's not just the subdivision ordinance, for which the town has been considering updates, that needs updating — he said state laws and federal laws have changed during that time that may affect local ordinances.
Town Clerk Sheri Berrong said there have been some line items changed over the years, as well as the farm winery ordinance adoption, but those changes haven’t been added to the book of ordinances at city hall or on the city’s website.
“There’s just a lot of little pieces that need to be pulled together,” Berrong said.
There is a disclaimer on the town’s website, and those wishing for updated information on ordinances are to contact Berrong.
“That’s how we’ve been managing it for the past several years,” Berrong said.
Tullis estimated it to be a six-month to year-long project, and the cost to update to Municode, may be $20,000 to $25,000, Berrong estimated, noting they need to know the extent of the changes.
“It’s going to be a pretty big, lengthy project,” Berrong said to The Northeast Georgian.
The council came to a consensus to begin the process to codify the town’s ordinances.
In other business, the town approved the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Habersham County for use of the Northeast Georgia Regional Radio Network. Tullis told the council the price for the remainder of the year would be $1,938.96, and then it will be $3,877.92 annually under the agreement.
“That is an increase,” Tullis said, noting the price has fluctuated over the years. “But, basically, if we want our police department to be able to talk to everyone, we’ve got to pay this.”
“I don’t see that we have an option, really,” Councilman Ken Moore said, causing laughter.