Mayor Jimmy Wilbanks hopes the new year will be a happier one for City of Dacula employees. Unlike 2010, the city's 11 employees will receive a raise.

Wilbanks proposed the 2 percent salary increase at the Nov. 23 council work session, citing concerns about employee morale.

City employees last received a pay raise in 2009. The increases that year ranged from 1 to 3 percent. The 2011 pay increase will result in additional costs of $13,000 and will be paid out of the city's contingency funds. 

The pay increase passed unanimously Dec. 2 as part of the $2.1 million budget for 2011.

The council also approved the amended 2010 budget. The revised budget allocates funds for the purchase of a new lawnmower and a new patrol car.

The patrol car will be used by Steve Cline, one of Dacula's two city marshals, and will replace a 2005 Chevrolet Impala with almost 98,000 miles.

The recommended replacement vehicle, a 2011 Ford Police Interceptor, will cost $27,040.

Cline said the new patrol car will be on the road within the next few weeks.

"I am very pleased that the council supported the purchase of a new vehicle," he said. "I believe the new patrol car will project a positive, professional image for the City of Dacula."

The patrol car and lawnmower will be purchased using 2005 SPLOST funds and contingency funds from the 2010 budget.

In other business, the council approved an amendment to the 2008 irrigation ordinance which will change the hours in which watering is allowed to match state regulations.

Under the revised ordinance, outdoor watering will be allowed only between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m.

The amended ordinance goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2011.

The council also authorized City Administrator Jim Osborn to implement a credit/debit card payment system for purchases made at City Hall, such as utility bills and municipal court fees. The service will be provided by EB2Gov.

City customers will be assessed a minimum convenience fee of $1.50 or 2.75 percent by EB2Gov for each transaction. The city will pay an initial setup fee of $22.95 and equipment costs, which include $120 for a card swiper and $429 for a signature pad.

The next meeting of the Dacula City Council is scheduled for Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. The council meets at Dacula City Hall, 442 Harbins Road.