HOBOKEN — Hoboken’s City Council unanimously approved to roll back the millage rate for 2026 at 5.060 mills during the November monthly meeting.
The council, on a motion by James Ray and second by Robin Helmuth, voted 5-0 after Mayor Joey Crews presented the rollback figure during the November 4 meeting. Council member Amy Lee was not present.
The new millage rate is .023 lower than 2025’s rate of 5.083.
Council members also unanimously approved a resolution for the 2026 City Budget.
“We had our budget hearings a little while back and the budget got set,” said the Mayor.
Ray made the motion to accept with Helmuth seconding the motion. It passed 5-0.
Councilwoman “Skeeter” Stone and Helmuth updated fellow constituents about the DNR Coastal Incentive Grant Program.
“We don’t really have a lot for them to offer the grants,” said Helmuth. “We showed them our part that butted up to the wetlands (at the City Park) and they talked about that they had a grant we could fill out with a deadline of December 3.
“What they did offer was a pathway they do with crush and run and a walkway. Then they do signage talking about the different types of trees. Schools could come and do field trips there.
“They could also do some tropical plants to help with the wet property. That’s all they would offer a grant for.”
Mayor Crews asked the council members if they wanted to apply for the grant ($5,000$6,000) and the 10 percent inkind match (labor, material).
Councilwoman Stone made the motion to apply for the grant with Councilman Greg Buie giving the second. The motion passed unanimously.
Request for road closure
The council tabled a request to close Dogwood Drive until the December meeting.
“There’s three property owners with property touching the road,” Mayor Crews told the council. “We’re (council) being asked to close that down. The gentleman making the request is saying they want the road cosed.
“He’s going to get that in writing with a petition. Then it’d be our decision to vote on it, either yay or nay. If all of them are in compliance and we abandon it, the road will be split down the middle. The gentleman says that’s what all three property owners want.”
Mayor Crews stated the agenda item should be tabled until December to get the petition submitted.
Appointment of legal organ
The mayor read a letter from the Brantley Express publisher seeking to serve as the legal organ for Hoboken.
The Brantley Beacon, which served as the legal organ this year (2025), submitted its letter in October.
According to the mayor, the Brantley Express’s letter stated the City of Hoboken should “alternate between the two qualifying newspapers as the legal organ like the county does.”
Councilwoman Stone made the motion with Councilman Ray seconding. The motion carried.
Hoboken VFD
The Hoboken Volunteer Fire Department answered 18 calls in October.
The calls included two wrecks, seven medical calls, five brush fires, one vehicle fire, two special details and one fire alarm.
Hoboken Police Dept.
Police Chief Sammy Hendrix reported the department responded to 38 calls for service, conducted 24 business and residence security checks, made 97 traffic stops, issued 67 written citations and issued 30 verbal warnings,a nd continued a heavy concentrated patrol on Hwy. 121 in front of Varnes during the month of October.
The chief informed the council he had hired a part-time officer who was expected to start by the end of the week.
Street/Water Dept.
Mayor Crews said Hoboken Baptist Church is close to laying their two-inch main.
“We replaced a 24-inch pipe under the road,” added Crews.
Mobile Home Park
The mayor said the city cleaned out a second ditch to help with drainage.
Office Administration
The City of Hoboken annual Christmas parade will be held Saturday, December 6 beginning at 6 p.m.
A meeting to start the planning for the 5-year Comprehensive Plan between the two cities and the Brantley County Commission is scheduled (1 p.m.-3 p.m.) for Thursday, November 13 at the County Commission office.
