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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

The Jemison City Council appointed Lake Gilliland as its newest member on Oct. 3 to fill the unexpired District 3 term of Allen Wilson.

Wilson had resigned at the last meeting because he moved out of the district.

“I have always been interested in politics, and I just wanted to be able to serve the city,” Gilliland said. “I have always loved this city and this county that we live in, and anything I can do to help would be a blessing.”

Gilliland has lived in Jemison the majority of his life.

The new councilman was sworn in at the beginning of the meeting.

Mayor Eddie Reed told Gilliland that he would be receiving more information on the procedures the council follows during the meeting. Reed then gave a brief overview of how decisions are made, stating that each council member has opportunity to give their comments on an issue before the final vote.

Gilliland abstained on each of the votes during the meeting, since he had not reviewed the agenda ahead of time.

The council approved amending a resolution to state that the $635,208 it expects to receive from the American Rescue plan will be used for sewer and water improvements, South Ridge subdivision sewer infrastructure, salary increases for essential employees and improving recreation activities in the city.

An amendment to an ordinance setting the building permit issuance fee was approved raising the fee to $14 on Jan. 1, 2023. The fee had previously been $12. Increasing the business license issuance fee to $14 was also approved. When these fees can be increased and the maximum amount the fee can be is set by the state.

The dates for the annual Christmas tree lighting and Christmas parades were also set at the meeting. The tree lighting ceremony will be on Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. The parade will be Dec. 3 at 11 a.m.