The Ball Ground City Council began the year on Thursday night with the swearing in of returning and new officials.

Mayor Rick Roberts is starting a new term after being re-elected in November without opposition.

Roberts, who served as mayor from 1988 to 1993 and then returned in 1996, has said this will be his last four-year term.

Councilman Mickey O'Malley, who served one term on the council 10 years ago, has returned for four years after being a shoo-in in November's election.

Councilman John Byrd, who was unopposed in his November bid for a fourth term, was not present for Thursday's meeting and will be sworn into office at a later date.

Councilman Frank Homiller was appointed mayor pro tem during the meeting, and council committees were also named.

The executive committee is Roberts, Homiller and City Manager Eric Wilmarth.

The public safety committee is led by Byrd and includes Councilman Lee Prettyman and Police Chief Dana Davis.

The public works committee will be led by Prettyman and include Homiller and Director of Public Works J.C. Burnette.

The finance committee will be led by Roberts and include Homiller, Wilmarth and Finance Director Donna England.

The parks and recreation committee will be led by O'Malley and include Prettyman and City Clerk Karen Jordan.

The natural and historic preservation committee is led by Councilwoman Andi Stoner and includes Homiller and Michael Chapman.

The personnel committee is led by Roberts and includes Homiller, Wilmarth and Councilwoman Stoner.

The council also considered the following agenda items:

* Resident Jack Hausman spoke to the council about the need for more police officers in the city;

* Heard a presentation from Rick Hartley of Mauldin & Jenkins on the financial audit for the period that ended June 30. The city received a clean financial bill of health;

* Approved a request from HCR Properties to rezone 13.875 acres on Cartersville Street from R-20 single-family conservation to residential zero-lot line for a 33-house neighborhood;

* Affirmed Roberts, Wilmarth and Mrs. Jordan as check signers;

* Established qualifying fees of $35 for council members and $108 for mayor for the Nov. 2 municipal election;

* Approved a resolution for local legislation to allow annexation of parts of the right-of-way on Highway 372 from Marion Spence Road to Jordan Road;

* Approved a resolution for local legislation to allow annexation of parts of the right of way on Highway 372 to the Etowah River Bridge; and

* Approved a resolution for local legislation to request traffic citations written by the Georgia State Patrol be forwarded to the Ball Ground Municipal Court.