The Hiram City Council decided Nov. 10 to buy rather than lease four new police cars and use a matured certificate of deposit to pay uncovered costs for painting and renovating the city water tower.

The council previously had voted to lease the four Dodge Charger police cars through Georgia Municipal Association at a 3.5 percent rate, but Councilman Charles Schafer questioned the wisdom of paying even 3.5 percent interest when the city has sufficient reserves to pay for the cars outright. Mayor Carmen Rollins noted that the city’s CD’s lately are producing less than 2 percent annual interest, making vehicle purchases more cost-effective than interest-charging leases.

Two of the police cars were totaled in September flooding and the other two have high mileage.

The council voted unanimously to amend its budget to include the purchases, making up the difference between current special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) funds on hand and vehicle costs with money from the General Fund.

Rollins said money in the generally self-supporting Water Fund would not cover the up to $37,000 needed for water tank maintenance, and the council voted unanimously to make up the difference through the General Fund, using a maturing certificate of deposit that will produce $23,728l.74.

Rollins introduced incoming council members Derrick Battle in Post 4 and Earlene Graham in Post 5, as well as Post 3 candidate Billy Sims Jr. She announced that early voting in the runoff between Sims and Teresa (Laird) Philyaw is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 23-25 at the Voter Registration Office at Watson Government Center or Hiram Community Center and that the election is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at Hiram Community Center.

The mayor encouraged city residents to vote in the runoff, noting that Hiram has 1,800 registered voters and only 132 cast ballots in the first round of municipal elections.

The council voted to renew its contract with Georgia Probation Detention Center, paying $39,500 for a guard who will supervise the inmate work details in the city. “We keep them very busy,” said Rollins.

The council renewed alcoholic beverage licenses for Penny Hatsell at Highland Beverage, 76 Highland Pavilion Court; Chandra Warrington at Hooters, 5464 Wendy Bagwell Parkway (transfer); Terry Smith for Kroger at 4215 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway (package beer and wine); Jesus Limon for Las Palmas, 480 Watts Road (full pouring); Joseph Griego at O’Charley’s, 4790 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway (full pouring); Eric Ritter for Racetrac stations at 5882 Wendy Bagwell Parkway and 4579 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway (package beer and wine); Kim Joiner at Sam’s Club, 47,98 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway (package beer and wine); Blas Mata at Tequila Mexican Restaurant, 4904 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway (full pouring); and Michael Marshall at Target, 5520 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway (transfer retail package license).

Councilman Vince Smith cast the sole dissenting vote as the council voted to deny David Capalbo’s application for beer and wine pouring at Cappy’s Oyster Bar, 4109 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway. Police Chief Johnny Shirley recommended denial, citing previous alcohol violations and false statement on the application.

Rollins moved the council’s December meeting to Dec. 15 because of the Dec. 1 runoff and said the new council members will take oaths of office at the meeting.