Royston Voters Approve Homestead Exemption For Those Age 65 And Older
November 5, 2010
If you are 65 or older on December 31, 2010, please come to Royston City Hall to apply for homestead exemption between January 4, 2011 and April 30, 2011. The application is available in the "Forms" section of this website for download purposes.
Royston Receives DCA HUD Grant September 7, 2010
The City of Royston is proud to announce the award of a U.S. Housing and Urban Development, Community Development Block Grant of $406,598.00. This grant is awarded on the basis of need by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Funding will be used to replace failing sewer lines on College St., Grove St., Jordan St., and Cherry St. near the Royston Elementary School.
It was great to see so many people working together to win this grant for our residents. Volunteers included the Royston city council who have actively participated in this effort, city employees and neighborhood citizens working door to door to complete surveys and garner support; and Gloria Brown, our city financial manager who worked with city engineer Bill King of Woodard and Curran and also Heather Feldman, an economic development representative from the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission. It took everyone to produce this 1” thick grant application. With matching SPLOST funds, the total community investment will be $520,000.00. The city manager, council, and I look forward to improving this service for our citizens.
We also greatly appreciate the concerns and support from State Senator Jim Butterworth, State Representative Alan Powell, State Representative Michael Harden, and Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle. Our most gracious appreciation goes to Governor Sonny Perdue and DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty.
For more information about this grant, visit Governor Purdue’s website at: http://gov.georgia.gov/00/press/detail/0,2668,78006749_78013037_162823415,00.html
With much appreciation to all,
David Jordan, Mayor
City of Royston
City Hires New "Better Hometown" Manager August 2010
The City of Royston is proud to announce the hiring of Mrs. Candy Ross as our new "Better Hometown" manager. Mrs. Ross assumes this position after leaving Ty Cobb Healthcare System as a member of the Ty Cobb Museum staff. We are thrilled to have Mrs. Ross join our staff. She is an active member of the Downtown Development Authority, and is also a volunteer searching for grant funds for the Royston Train Depot restoration.
Her new duties include encouraging economic development opportunities, publicizing and marketing Royston as a great place to live and to do business, promoting city events, and actively managing the activities of Royston's "Better Hometown" program; coordinated with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (
http://www.mainstreetgeorgia.org/). She will also work closely with the Downtown Development Authority and the city's planning board.
Because of the nature if this position, I asked the city manager to solicit input from a delegate of Downtown Development Authority and the chairman of the city's Planning Board. When it came down to the final two candidates, it was a lengthy, difficult, and tough decision for the city manager, mayor and council. We wish that we could have hired both of them-they were both excellent candidates. I appreciate the City Council's diligence in the process.
Respectfully,
David Jordan, Mayor
City of Royston
Brown receives Certification 
Gloria Brown has achieved what no other city clerk or financial officer for the city of Royston has in the past. Brown was recently recognized by the city and the Carl Vincent Institute as a Level II Certified Local Government Financial Officer.
Brown received the certification on May 10, 2010, almost two years after earning the Level I certification.
To earn the certification Brown had to complete six core classes and two electives for each level. The classes were 24-48 hour classes, meaning the class mandated that many contact hours with the participant.
Along with her CFO certification, Brown is also a Certified Municipal Clerk and is currently enrolled in the Masters Education Management Development Certificate program as well.
Once Brown completes all classes and a project she will receive a certificate in Advanced Management.
Along with the above mentioned classes, Brown is also trained to assist with elections.
Brown has also attended training at the Georgia Department of Revenue, where she learned about taxes, final accounting and reporting and delinquent tax collection.
Brown began her journey to seek the certifications in 2004 and had completed the Level I certification on September 6, 2008 as well as the requirements as a Certified Municipal Clerk.
In all, Brown estimates she has more than 300 class time hours as she continually trains to stay on top of the latest changes.
Brown doesn't just do the minimum to achieve certification. While a mediocre score of 70 will allow one to pass, Brown has yet to make under a 90 on any of the end of course tests she has taken.
"I like to know my job," said Brown. "I want to know it backwards and forwards."
Anyone who deals with Brown at city hall quickly learns she does know it that well. Brown labels herself as meticulous person, a label those who know her would attest to.
Since joining the city staff Brown has worked diligently to improve Royston's policies and procedures.
"We want to establish standard practices and standard procedures which will allow us to treat people the same up and down the board," said Brown.
While Brown loves to expand her knowledge concerning her job, it isn't always easy. "You have to stay on your toes," said Brown. "You have to stay educated and up to date."
Brown says a Norman Rockwell painting she first saw in high school gave her the inspiration for her work ethic. "It's a self portrait," said Brown. "The caption which goes with it states 'The way you do your job is a portrait of yourself.'"
The CFO and City Clerk has been married to Tim Brown for 29 years. She has one daughter, Suzanne Reagin, and a son Wesley White. She also boasts two grandchildren with another due in March. Garrett will be 8 years old this month and Avery is now 16 years old.
Brown breaks the traditional "accountant" mold when it comes to her recreational endeavors. She and her husband Tim drag raced for about 10 years. While she never took first place, she did finish in the runner-up position once.
Brown even carries a picture of her car in her wallet. Ask to look at it if you see her.
She was also an avid softball player in her day but now prefers to take it a little easier with something called corn ball or corn hole. It involves tossing corn filled bean bags.
She and Tim also enjoy an occasional camping trip, but their number one past time is spending time with the grandkids.
"I love my job," said Brown. "I want Royston to be the best it can be and I want to make a difference."
(Reposted with permission from Franklin County Citizen/News Leader. Written by Mark Berryman, Staff Writer.)
