April 30, 2025 Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Commissioners of Northwest Georgia Housing Authority
Held April 30, 2025
The Board of Commissioners of Northwest Georgia Housing Authority met at its annual meeting at 326 W 9th St. Rome, Georgia, 8:30 a.m., on the day of April 30, 2025.
Called to Order
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairperson Betty Sue Hickman, and upon roll call, those present and absent are as follows:
Present: Betty Sue Hickman, Billy Cooper, Brian Bojo, Ronnie Wallace
Absent: Lillie Dyar
Vice-Chairperson Hickman declared a quorum present.
Others in attendance: Justin Jones, Executive Director, Lisa Massey, Deputy Executive Director, Amanda Fox, Executive Assistant, James Garvin, Chief Financial Officer, Billy Pasley, IT Director, Howard Gibson, Director Of Maintenance, Rand Nichols, Director of Security, Elaina Beeman, Director Of Resident Services, Madonna Murphy, Director of Public Housing, Hannah Turner, Director of Tax Credit Development, Wayne Robinson, City of Rome, Stewart Duggan, Attorney
Oath of Office - Brian Bojo - Ms. Amanda Fox asked Mr. Bojo to stand, and after Ms. Fox read the Oath of Commissioner, Mr. Bojo was officially sworn in as Commissioner.
Oath of Office - Ronald Wallace - Ms. Amanda Fox asked Mr. Wallace to stand, and after Ms. Fox read the Oath of Commissioner, Mr. Wallace was officially sworn in as Commissioner.
Election of 2025 Officers
Vice-Chairperson Hickman opened the floor for nominations for Chairperson. Commissioner Cooper nominated Vice-Chairperson Hickman for Chairperson. Commissioner Wallace seconded. There were no further nominations. The floor was then closed. Ms. Betty Sue Hickman was approved unanimously as Chairperson.
Chairperson Hickman opened the floor for nominations for Vice-Chairperson. Commissioner Wallace nominated Commissioner Cooper for Vice-Chairperson. Commissioner Bojo seconded. There were no further nominations. The floor was then closed. Mr. Billy Cooper was approved unanimously as Vice-Chairperson.
Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting held on March 26, 2025 - Chairperson Hickman asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes. Commissioner Cooper made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Commissioner Bojo. The motion was approved unanimously.
New Business
Public Comment from Margie Brinkley - Chairperson Hickman called Ms. Margie Brinkley to speak, Ms. Brinkley was a no-show.
Approval of Resolution 09-2025: Adoption of Short-and-Long Term Disability Insurance Coverage - Commissioner Cooper motioned to approve Resolution 09-2025, seconded by Commissioner Bojo. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes: Bojo, Cooper, Wallace
No: None
Approval of Resolution 10-2025 - Adoption of Accounts Payable/ACH, Investment, Collection Loss Write Off, Capitalization & Automated Rent Payment Policies - Commissioner Wallace made a motion to approve Resolution 10-2025, seconded by Commissioner Bojo. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes: Bojo, Cooper, Wallace
No: None
Approval of Resolution 11-2025: Adoption of Personnel Policies- Commissioner Cooper made a motion to approve Resolution 11-2025, seconded by Commissioner Bojo. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes: Bojo, Cooper, Wallace
No: None
Approval of Resolution 12-2025: Approval Sale of Rockmart Children 's Academy Building/Facilities - Commissioner Bojo motioned to approve Resolution 12-2025, seconded by Commissioner Wallace. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes: Bojo, Cooper, Wallace
No: None
Approval of Resolution 13-2025: Uncollected Tenant Account Write-Offs (Public Housing) - Commissioner Wallace motioned to approve Resolution 13-2025, seconded by Commissioner Bojo. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes: Bojo, Cooper, Wallace
No: None
Approval of Resolution 14-2025: Uncollected Tenant Account Write-Offs (Tax Credit) - Commissioner Wallace motioned to approve Resolution 14-2025, seconded by Commissioner Bojo. The motion was approved unanimously.
Yes: Bojo, Cooper, Wallace
No: None
Reports
Finance Department Update - Mr. James Garvin reported per the unaudited Statement of Net Position. As of March 2025, our Net Position is $36,278,078. The March ending cash available is $475,922. Regulations state that we are required to have 4-6 months in reserves at all times. Approval of NWGHA Financial Statements for March 2025:
Yes: Bojo, Cooper, Wallace
No: None
Public Housing/Section 8 Update - Madonna Murphy presented the Public Housing report. The occupancy is at 84% with 100 vacancies. There are currently 901 on the community-based combined waitlist. April 2025 write-offs totaled $26,216.87. Mr. Jones presented a comparison from August 2024 to April 2025, and the occupancy went from 71% to 85%.
Tax Credit & Development Update - Ms. Hannah Turner reported that the tax credit properties' combined occupancy for March was 97.4%, and 9 vacancies. There are 546 units total. Elm Street Apartments update - Target close date will likely be July 22, 2025. Construction will begin two weeks after closing. Cave Spring Townhomes will likely close by year's end. The 9% tax credit application has been submitted for John Graham Homes. April 2025 write-offs totaled $52,346.04.
Maintenance Update - Mr. Howard Gibson reported that work orders had decreased since March of 2024. There were 81 emergency work orders and 564 standard work orders completed in the last 30 days.
Resident Services Update - Ms. Elaina Beeman reported that on March 20th, a Job Fair and College Expo was held at the Willingham Village Community Center with over 100 people in attendance. Public Housing FSS Coordinator has 13 total participants with escrow balances, totaling $30, 105.85. There are 38 total participants, with 16 employed. Housing Choice Voucher FSS Coordinator has 14 total participants with escrow balances, totaling $56,542.00 in total escrow balances. There are 44 total participants, with 31 employed. There are 41 ROSS elderly participants and 9 high school graduates, with 50 total serviced.
Security Update - Mr. Rand Nichols reported that there was a total of 3 1 incidents on properties, with Park Homes reporting the most incidents. Lastly, one part-time security guard has been hired.
Executive Director Comments - Justin Jones reported that some of the staff will be attending the SERC-NAHRO in June. Lastly, Green & Gold and Westview Homes Inspections scored a 93% and 95%.
Commissioner Comments - None
Adjourn - The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 pm.
