Following the November election and the hiring of a new chief of police, the city of Euharlee began the new year by swearing in council members Craig Guyton and Steve Worthington as well as police chief Terry Harget and city clerk Brenda King.

Continuing into normal business after a special called work session to discuss the 2012 budget, the council approved the budget as presented by City Manager Trish Sullivan. Residents also will see the time of municipal court changing beginning March 8 to 4 p.m. every second Thursday of the month.

Planning and zoning administrator Ron Goss presented contracts for the continuing construction on Joe Cowan Park and proposals from local engineering companies were submitted to the council regarding the Department of Natural Resources trail grant that was received in 2011. Under the grant, sidewalks will be constructed to connect a walking trail from the downtown area to the trails in Joe Cowan Park. A contract was awarded to Peoples and Quigley Inc. for the engineering work.

A motion carried to acquire bids on an 8-foot fence around the historic grist mill to prevent citizens from entering and being injured on the property. Another motion passed for Worthington to continue acting as mayor pro-tem in the absence of mayor Kathy Faulk.