The Dawsonville City Council has appointed a new member to fill the seat vacated by Council Member Chris Gaines. Gaines resigned Nov. 4 when his request to annex property into the city was denied making him a county resident.

Caleb Phillips, 28, was voted in unanimously Monday night in a special called meeting. Council Member Angie Smith made the motion to appoint Phillips, and Mike Sosebee seconded. Mayor James Grogan also voted in accordance with the citys charter. The vote was 4-0 with Jason Power voting in favor.

Im just excited about the chance to serve the city council again, Phillips said after the meeting. It is Phillips second appointment to the council after serving temporarily two years ago when current Mayor James Grogan ran for office.

Other candidates considered by the council were Pam Bragg, Calvin Byrd, Judy Cox, Frank Kraft, Caroline Kristy, B.J. Farley, and Edwin Looper.

This has been a difficult decision, Smith said. I was encouraged because we had so many people who wanted to be involved. They were all qualified and would be great to work with.I worked with Caleb two years ago. He and I were both appointed. When Caleb left, he never quit looking for ways to help, not that others were less visible, but he stood around and made an impact. And that made an impact on me.

Phillips will be sworn in at the next regular Dawsonville City Council meeting, to be held Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. at City Hall in downtown Dawsonville. Immediately following the swearing-in, Phillips will be eligible to vote on city matters.

Phillips will serve until a special called election takes place March 17, 2015. The city and Dawson County Board of Elections will split 50-50 the costs of running the Academy Road precinct for the election. An intergovernmental agreement is expected to be renewed between the Dawsonville City Council and the Board of Elections for 2015, according to City Attorney Dana Miles.

When asked if he would run for a permanent seat on the council, Phillips said, Yes.

In other city council business, bids were accepted for garbage service in 2015. Five bids were submitted with the lowest being Advanced Disposal at $9.70 per pick-up. The council is expected to vote on the matter Dec. 1 with the service taking effect Jan. 1, 2015. Other bids submitted included Republic Services of Georgia at $15.55, Red Oak Sanitation, $9.95, Waste Management, $11.98, and Rakestraw Sanitation $9.90.