Welcome to the City of Milledgeville! We're glad you're here!
A charming history, central location and lots of southern charm make our city one of Georgia’s most beautiful and inviting. In keeping with our southern hospitality, we invite you to relax and browse our website.
Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan is the first female mayor of the city of Milledgeville, Ga., and the second African American mayor to hold this office. She is also the second mayor to run unopposed to be elected for another four- year term. Mayor Copelan is a lifelong resident of Milledgeville. She is married to Charlie Copelan, and together they have three adult children and five grandchildren.
Mayor Copelan received her formative years of education in the Baldwin County Public School System. She is a graduate of Baldwin High School and is a current student at Payne Theological Seminary where she is pursuing a Master of Divinity Degree.
Mayor Copelan is employed with Re/Max Central Reality Company as a Realtor as well as Mayor of our city. She is retired from the Department of Corrections as a Lieutenant and Certified Adjunct Instructor. She is also the Founder and CEO of Word of Life Interdenominational Bible Church where she serves as chief operator and pastor. The Mayor’s favorite motto comes from the acclaimed film Sister Act, starring Whoopi Goldberg: “If you want to be somebody, if you want to go somewhere, you’ve got to wake up and pay attention. “
Mayor Copelan serves on many boards, both locally and regionally. In the past year, she has completed her term as President of the Georgia Municipal Association for the 6th District region. She now serves as a member of the National League of Cities, the Equity Inclusion board, The NBC-LEO board, as well as the Municipality NBC as second vice president. She has also served on the Georgia and International Association of Ministers Wives and Ministers Widows Association, where she has held the position of Executive Secretary at the State level, Statistician, and 2017-18 Key Lady at the State level.
Amongst her duties as both mayor and pastor, education is high on her list of priorities, so much that she continues to drive for the Baldwin County School District as a bus operator. Both of her children as well as three of her grandchildren have received their formative years of education through the Baldwin County School District. Mayor Copelan believes that education is the key that unlocks the door to unlimited possibilities. The widely known philosopher Plato left a phenomenal quote to remind us that, “The Beginning is the most important part of the work.” We all should start early in life being very inquisitive and gaining knowledge about what makes things function in life. This element of curiosity in us fosters a desire for deeper learning and understanding.
The City Council is the City’s legislative body, with the power to enact all ordinances and resolutions and controls the funding of all designated programs. Six Council members are elected to represent their district while the Mayor is elected at-large, by all voters of the City for a four year term.
Milledgeville – Baldwin County Allied Arts
The Milledgeville – Baldwin County Allied Arts, Inc. is a secondary agency of the City of Milledgeville. The mission of Allied Arts is to make available a broad range of experiences in the performing arts, visual arts, literary arts, heritage arts and general arts education for all the citizens of Milledgeville and Baldwin County, regardless of their socio-economic, cultural, racial, physical or religious differences.
The Milledgeville-Baldwin County Allied Arts Board of Directors are a seven-member volunteer board appointed by both the Milledgeville City Council and the Baldwin County Commissioners that are responsible for the management of operations and the implementation of public policy and procedures for the agency.
The Milledgeville-Baldwin County Allied Arts Board of Directors meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:15 p.m. in the John Marlor Arts Center.
Bo Danuser has served as the City Clerk for the City of Milledgeville since 2003. Under the general direction of the City Manager, the City Clerk is responsible for activities related to Council meetings, City elections, and public records in accordance with applicable laws, codes, policies, and procedures.
Responsibilities and Duties
- Recording and maintaining the Council’s official actions in minutes
- Coordinating and distributing the agenda
- Maintaining contracts, ordinances, resolutions, and agreements
- Coordinating the records management and retention program for the City in compliance with legal requirements and City policy
- Maintains the City Municipal Code
- Certifies City documents and attests to proper execution of all public documents
- Serves as the custodian of the City Seal and affixes Seal to official documents
- Administers oaths and affirmations
- Receives and processes petitions, claims against the City, and lawsuits
- Coordinates City Clerk activities with other City departments, divisions, and with outside agencies
- Verifies that official City activities are following federal and state laws and regulations, and City policies
Code Enforcement monitors compliance to local ordinances and regulations pertaining to nuisance abatement for issues including, but not limited to:
Ordinances Enforced by Code Enforcement
Litter
A clean property is a safe property! It is unlawful to litter upon public and private property. Every owner, occupant or tenant of any property shall keep their property clear of filth, trash, noxious growth, unsightly matter and weeds or grasses shall not exceed ten inches in height. An unsightly yard, porch, and premises affects your neighborhood and the entire City. It is your responsibility to keep your yard cleaned of all debris and unsightly matter.
Yard Debris
Residential yard debris such as leaves, grass clippings, straw, small yard and garden clippings and other similar items shall be placed on the curb for collection by the City of Milledgeville. The City will not collect trees or byproducts of trees that have been removed or trimmed by a tree removal service.
Bulk Item Pick-up
Removal of large household items such as couches and/or old appliances must be scheduled for pick-up. If you desire curbside pickup for residential bulk items, please call (478) 414-4021. There will be a $10.00 charge per item.
Noise Restrictions
Next to carelessly discarded trash, noise is the one thing that will cause the most difficulty with your neighbors. If your sound (music, voice, party noise, etc.) can be heard within the following distances, you could be in violation of the noise ordinance:
- Within 300 feet from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m. through midnight on Friday and Saturday
- Within 100 feet from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday and midnight through 7a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Residential Parking
Many neighborhoods surrounding the Historic District have permitted parking zones. It is illegal to park in these residential parking zones unless you have a valid parking permit. To obtain a parking permit, you will need to submit proof of residency to the Milledgeville Police Department and a permit will be issued to you.
Herbie Curbies
Herbie Curbies are to be used to dispose of common household trash and garbage only. Herbie Curbies shall be placed at the curb of your residence no later than 8 a.m. on the pick-up day designated by Waste Management and shall be returned to the side or rear of the property no later than 7 p.m. on the pick-up day. For information on your pick-up date(s), please call Waste Management at (478) 453-4435.
Single-Family Districts
It is unlawful for more than three (3) unrelated residents to occupy a home within a Single-Family District. It is also unlawful to have a fraternity and/or sorority house in any zoning district unless that home has acquired a Special Use Permit. To verify the zoning district for any property, you may call (478) 414-4021.
Posting of Signs
It is unlawful for any person to place posters, signs or advertisements within the right-of-way of any public streets, roads or highways. This includes posting of such signs on telephone poles, electrical poles, stop signs, etc.
Historic District
If you live within the Historic District, there are specific guidelines that are applicable to this area. Before any outside work can be performed on a property, including installation of fences, signage, banners, etc., an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness must be completed. Fraternities and sororities must ensure that their location has been zoned for Special Use and a Certificate of Appropriateness has been completed prior to hanging or displaying any Greek organization related signs, banners, sheets, etc.
Applications for a Certificate of Appropriateness can be obtained from the City’s website at www.milledgevillega.us. There will be a $50.00 charge for the placement of temporary banners, sheets, etc
Economic Development
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We are thrilled that you are interested in pursuing a business opportunity in our community. We invite you to take advantage of the benefits and resources that business ownership in Milledgeville offers. Whether you are starting a new business or expanding your current business, our goal is to make sure your experience with the City of Milledgeville goes smoothly.
Our team, located in the award winning, recently renovated Economic Development Center, is dedicated to assisting in the navigation process of starting a new business. The Milledgeville Economic Development Center staff is available Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm and would be happy to further assist you with your business needs. Please give us a call today to set up a free, confidential meeting with the professional in your area of interest.
Revolving Loan Fund Policy
Revolving Loan Fund Application: original fillable
CITY OF MILLEDGEVILLE BUSINESS DIRECTORY
| Area of Interest | Business Resource | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown business/space availability | Milledgeville Main Street and the Downtown Development Authority | Carlee Schulte, Main Street Director Economic Development Center 105 E. Hancock Street, 1st floor (478) 414-4014 www.milledgevillemainstreet.com cschulte@milledgevillega.us |
| Industrial business sites availability and development | Development Authority of Milledgeville-Baldwin County | Jonathan Jackson, CEcD, Executive Director Economic Development Center 105 E. Hancock Street, 2nd floor (478) 451-0369 www.developmilledgeville.com jjackson@developmilledgeville.com |
| 441 Corridor business/space availability | City Planner for Economic Development | Economic Development Center 105 E. Hancock Street, 1st floor (478) 414-4429 hgriffeth@milledgevillega.us |
| Central State Hospital business/space availability | Central State Hospital Local Redevelopment Authority | Mike Couch, Executive Director Powell Building, 1st floor Central State Hospital 620 Broad Street (478) 454-1850 www.developcsh.com mcouch@milledgevillega.us |
The Business Office is responsible for operating the city’s Water Utility Services, issuing and renewing Occupation Tax Licenses and Alcoholic Beverage Licenses for entities within the city limits. This office also handles the collection of occupational taxes for such entities, as well as the collection of water utility payments and property taxes for commercial and residential properties in the City of Milledgeville.
Water Utility Services
The City of Milledgeville provides water utility services for residential and commercial customers. To start new water service, transfer water service or to pay your water bill, click HERE.
Occupation Tax License
An Occupation Tax License, also known as a business license, is a document that indicates that an entity has met all requirements to operate a business within the city limits. Our City Code provides for an occupation tax to be paid by each business that operates within the city limits of Milledgeville.
Alcoholic Beverage License
An Alcoholic Beverage License is a document that indicates that an entity has met all requirements to serve or sell alcoholic beverages within the city limits of Milledgeville. Applicants must submit an Alcoholic Beverage Application with accompanying documentation to the Business Office for processing and approval. Additionally, applicants must submit a State of Georgia background check and obtain or provide evidence of a State of Georgia alcohol license before an alcoholic beverage license can be approved and issued.
Off-Premises Alcoholic Beverage Permit
An Off-Premises Alcoholic Beverage Permit can only be issued to current, valid holders of a City of Milledgeville issued Alcoholic Beverage License for Consumption on Premises or Retail Packaged-to-Go. This permit can only be issued for those product lines for which the license holder is approved. Off-Premises Alcoholic Beverage Permits are only valid for a specific event and are not transferable. Click HERE to apply for an Off-Premises Alcoholic Beverage Permit.
Property Taxes
The Business Office handles the collection of property taxes for residential and commercial properties located within the city limits of Milledgeville. Property tax notices are typically mailed in October of each calendar year and are typically due by December of each calendar year. Click HERE to search for or pay your property taxes online.
