By Becky Holland
COCHRAN, Ga. — The Cochran City Council voted 4-2 Tuesday night, October 13, to appoint Angela H. Redding as city manager, following months of discussion surrounding the city’s leadership and the selection process.
Council members Gary Ates, Trecia Gardner, Dianne Lester and Rufus Veal voted in favor of the appointment. Mayor Pro Tem Shane Savant and Councilman Lonnie Tedders voted against it.
The appointment was approved without a finalized employment contract. The city attorney is expected to return with a proposed contract for council consideration.
Redding has served as the city’s interim manager since April.
Before the vote, Savant and Lester addressed the council regarding the appointment. Redding also spoke, discussing three matters involving her previous employment and offering explanations concerning those issues.
The appointment followed weeks of public discussion about the city manager position, including questions surrounding the selection process, communication within city government and whether another search should be conducted before making a permanent appointment.
Public Comments Address City Concerns
Several residents and business owners addressed the council during the public comment portion of the meeting, with concerns focusing on utility billing, communication, transparency and delays in the city’s permitting process.
One contractor reported waiting 147 days for a permit. Business owners also raised concerns involving Falcon Design Consultants.
Other speakers questioned the decision to proceed with appointing a permanent city manager without conducting another search.
Council members did not respond directly to speakers during public comments, consistent with the meeting’s stated procedures.
Natural Gas Appliance Rebates Approved
The council approved a natural gas appliance rebate program intended to encourage eligible residential customers to switch to natural gas or replace qualifying older appliances.
The approved rebates include:
- Tankless water heaters — $300
- Gas furnaces — $200
- Tank water heaters — $200
- Gas ranges and cooktops — $100
- Washers and dryers — $100
- Vented gas logs — $50
- Space heaters — $50
The program generally applies to residential customers converting from electric or propane appliances to natural gas or replacing qualifying older equipment.
Applications must be submitted within 60 days of installation.
Comprehensive Plan and Other Business Approved
The council adopted the Joint Comprehensive Plan for Bleckley County and the City of Cochran, which outlines community development priorities and planning initiatives.
Council members also approved declaring certain Administration Department equipment surplus and disposing of the property through GovDeals.com, an online auction service used by government agencies.
The council approved the 48A T-Hangar contract for Cochran Municipal Airport.
Howard Pridgen was reappointed to the Housing Authority Commission for another five-year term. His current term expires November 20, 2026.
The council also discussed the city’s tax digest, which is used in determining the taxable property base for local government revenue.
Department and Agency Reports
Departmental reports included updates from finance, fire, police and public works, including code enforcement.
Matters involving code enforcement and public works were discussed, while most other departmental business proceeded routinely.
The meeting also included reports or agenda time for outside agencies, including the Industrial Development Authority, Downtown Development Authority, Cochran-Bleckley Chamber of Commerce, Cochran Municipal Airport and Tessie W. Norris Cochran-Bleckley County Library.
Fire Prevention and Safety Month Recognized
Mayor Carla Coley presented a proclamation recognizing Fire Prevention and Safety Month to Cochran Fire Chief Brock Wilcher.
The recognition highlighted the importance of fire prevention, community safety and the work performed by the city’s fire department.
Consent Agenda Approved
The council approved its consent agenda, which included minutes from the September 3 work session, September 8 special called and regular meetings, and September 16 special called meeting.
The amended agenda also included reports from the city manager and city attorney, along with announcements from the mayor and council.
Executive Session and Adjournment
Following the vote appointing Redding, the council entered executive session.
Members later returned to the regular meeting and adjourned without taking additional action.
Although the council approved Redding’s appointment Tuesday night, the details of her employment contract have yet to be written.
The Ledger will continue following developments surrounding the city manager’s contract and other matters affecting Cochran residents.
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