The Nicholson City Council unanimously voted to approve a $1.21 million general fund budget for 2026.
The budget approval and a motion to approve an open-air business at the Town Center District took up a majority of the 45-minute meeting on Nov. 3.
2026 General Fund Budget Approval
“We are good for another year,” said Mayor Steve T. Nichols after the council unanimously passed the balanced budget for the 2026 fiscal year.
The fiscal year 2026 budget is $71,000 higher than the prior year’s $1.14 million budget.
The most significant financial shift is the reduction in the city’s contingencies fund. To balance the increase in spending, the council decided to significantly reduce unallocated reserves by nearly 60%.
The new budget will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Approval of Open-Air Business on U.S Highway 441 South
Much of the meeting was spent on discussion about a conditional use request for an open-air business on the corner of U.S. Highway 41 South and Broad Street at the Town Center District.
Anthony Gaddis and Dharampal Investment, LLC submitted the request to use a vacant lot for retail sale of landscape supplies.
The council approved the request under specific conditions that would allow the city to conduct projects to make the property more presentable and functional.
Conditional uses for the business include: the ability to expand the Broad Street entrance, repair and replace drainage systems at the entrance, place greenery on the U.S 441 South side, and the ability to place fencing along the side of the property.
Council member Thomas Gary opposed the vote, expressing concern that the approval could open the door to additional conditional use requests in the area.
The conditional use request was approved with a 2-1 vote.
September 2025 Financials
Gary inquired about items presented in the September 2025 financials. The first was an item listed under “library expense — other” in the amount of $5,116. Financial Director Glenda Cantrell said the money was spent on new furniture for the library, and the Piedmont Regional Library System reimbursed the city.
Gary also questioned a second item listed under “other costs.” Cantrell explained the money was for tree services on Cedar Drive, Sanford Drive, Benton Center and by a daycare playground.
An expense of $1,600 was included for the Margaret Ward plaque.
The financials were unanimously approved as submitted.
Lower Cemetery Cost For City Residents
The council unanimously passed a price adjustment of cemetery plots for city residents.
Effective immediately, Nicholson residents will pay $1,500 and nonresidents will pay $2,500 for cemetery lots.
This was made in an effort to lower prices for residents and to be comparable with the neighboring communities of Commerce and Jefferson. The previous price for city residents was $2,500.
Nicholson Library Happenings
The Nicholson Public Library is busy preparing for the holiday season.
Library Manager Rhonda O’Keeffe said the library’s Christmas tree is set to be delivered early, and volunteers are working to transform the library into a beautiful Christmas space. The library is also preparing for a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The Friends of the Nicholson Public Library will meet on Monday, Nov. 17.
Betsy Allen is a Fink Fellow in the Cox Institute’s Journalism Writing Lab at the University of Georgia. This story was originally published in The Jackson Herald.
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