Starting in January, the Dawsonville City Council has decided to renew its policy of holding monthly work sessions.

"We decided that we really need to get together before the meetings and discuss the items on the budget beforehand," said Councilwoman Angie Smith. "It'll help us hammer out the details before we go into the meetings."

While the city had days allotted for work sessions in the past, the current council had yet to elect to use these days.

The council voted unanimously during its Dec. 2 meeting to approve the official 2014 City Council and Planning Commission meeting calendar, with the work sessions being held the same day as the City Planning Commission meetings.

"We are planning these work sessions the same day as the planning commission meetings, but earlier," said Dawsonville Mayor James Grogan. "This is assuming we need to have them that month. It's a standing set of meetings, unless we don't need them."

The work sessions will begin at 4 p.m., with the planning commission meetings immediately following at 5 p.m.

For more information on the work sessions, contact the city at (706) 265-3256. For a calendar listing of the city's 2014 meeting times, visit www.dawsonville-ga.gov.