In its final official meeting of the 2021 calendar year, the Stockbridge City Council approved an $18.38 million general fund budget for the 2022 fiscal year.

The final public hearing and vote to adopt the budget came at the council’s December 21 workshop meeting. The vote to approve was 4-0. No one from the public spoke for or against any part of the budget at the final public hearing. Three line items related to the budget were approved immediately preceding the budget vote, each of which addressed open employee positions.

Several purchases for the new police department were approved December 21. A total of $711,244 was allocated for the purchase of body cameras as well as in-car video cameras and associated storage. Mobile and in-car police radios will cost $611,736. The city is acquiring 56 Tasers at a price of $176,198 and a number of remote-control spotlights for patrol vehicles for $37,589. All of these expenditures are being funded by federal money through the American Rescue Plan Act, according to a city staff report. The council also approved an official vehicle usage policy for the police department.

A number of housekeeping items were approved at the final meeting of the year, such as the 2022 public meeting schedules and holiday calendar as well as the city events calendar for the new year. The council approved $14,111 in utility billing write-offs for 2021.

DeRitha Barber was appointed for the Council on Aging for a two-year term. Main Street Advisory Board appointees approved by the council included Greg Horton for three years as well as Linda Jones, Mildred Reed, Anika Potts, Willie Hopkins and Shomari Furtch for two years.

Appointees to the Youth Council Advisory Committee included Sharika Zellars and Jodie Alexander for two-year terms. Aaniyah Kendrick, Alfreda Gourdine, Arvia Hall, Derius Peurifoy, Keely White and Shameka Jones were appointed with terms to be determined to fill various unexpired terms.