It took less than ten minutes, but the McDonough City Council took care of some regular business in an April 13 special called meeting, although there were still signs that COVID-19 is affecting city operations.

  Mayor Billy Copeland and Mayor Pro Tem Craig Elrod were present in the council chambers along with city clerk Janis Price and two department heads. Council member Rufus Stewart also joined that group, while the other four council members participated by telephone, and Price polled them individually after each vote.

  The council approved an $18,450 purchase of 90 water meters with antennas, with the money coming from the city’s enterprise funds-water distribution account. Also approved was the allocation of $30,697 in SPLOST funds to return excess interest income on unspent bond proceeds to the Internal Revenue Service, as well as a $12,479 payment to the Henry County District Attorney’s office relating to seized assets. 

  An executive session was convened, but no action in public session resulted from it. The stated purpose of the executive session was to discuss personnel.

  There were no specifics mentioned beyond that, but one personnel issue has definitely been under consideration by the council. The city recently announced its two finalists for the city administrator position. One is longtime McDonough police chief and current interim city administrator Preston Dorsey, and the other is current East Point deputy city manager Deron King.

  Another council meeting was scheduled for April 20.