The November All Committees meeting for the City of Gray included a visit from officers of Cadence Bank with news of the bank’s merger with a larger bank corporation headquartered in Ohio and reassurance that the city’s accounts were in good hands.
Mayor Pro Tem James Collins called the Nov. 17 meeting to order, and the first report was from Finance Chairman and Councilman Terrell Fulford. He said the amount of the city’s 2025 Tax Digest was $1,367,577, and the total collected as of Nov. 14 was $161,684 or 11.83 percent.
Fulford then introduced Wesley Casteel and Melissa Tanner with Cadence Bank. Casteel stated Cadence had been acquired by Huntington Bank, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.
“In the financial world, banks are merging. This is a huge opportunity to continue our growth and give better services,” he said.
Casteel said the visit was the first of series to provide the city with updates. He said the banks would legally merge in February, and the merger would be completed, including a name change, in June.
“We will be the 10th largest bank in the U.S.,” he added.
Casteel said the mission of Huntington Bank is working with the local community, and that makes the merger compatible. He said no Cadence branches would be closing as a result of the merger.
City Superintendent Cheyenne Morgan presented the Water and Sewer report. He said the next phase of drilling for the new well had been pushed back to December.
Main Street Director Ashley Roberson stated that preparations are ready for Gray’s Hometown Christmas Market that will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 29. She said 98 vendors have signed up.
Roberson also talked about the ice-skating rink that will be set up inside Butler Hall from Nov. 25-30, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day. The city’s Christmas Tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m. Nov. 29, and Santa will be at the Christmas Market all day.
Plan committee
Collins reported for the Plan Committee. He talked about the visit made to Carrollton by him, Councilman David Tufts and Roberson as part of Main Street’s Heart and Soul Training. He said they learned a lot and noticed that town also had ‘No Thru Truck’ signs.
Collins said the town had a small amphitheater, and it was good to see the potential. He said Carrollton uses its logo effectively, which made it easier to see how everything fit together.
Tufts said he was impressed to see how their concepts and ideas worked because everyone appeared to be working together. He also liked the park and game area that was near downtown.
Collins said the public-private partnerships were impressive, and he also saw the benefit of having a decent motel.
“We would love to see someone come in with that. There’s a lot of money spent in Macon when we have out-of-town guests,” he said.
The mayor pro tem said the City of
Holiday closings
Mayor Ed Barbee talked about a proposed holiday schedule for city employees. The Thanksgiving closing dates were as usual, closed Thursday and Friday, November 27-28.
The suggestion about the Christmas holidays were similar due to Christmas falling on Thursday. Barbee suggested the city close at noon Dec. 24 and remain closed until Monday, Dec. 29.
The only closing the last week of December would be New Years Day.
A resulting discussion among council members appeared to be about whether to be open at all Christmas Eve, but it was determined that the December holidays would be brought up again at the Dec. 1 meeting.
At the conclusion of the business items, council listened to a presentation from Mike Beatty with Smith Douglas Homes about the need to provide the opportunity for home ownership for first time home buyers.
Council members listened to the presentation but did not show a lot of interest when questioned by Beatty.
The next meeting of Gray’s City Council is Dec. 1.
