The Waycross City Commission last week approved purchases for public works and engineering, and to request funding from the state for street improvements.
The actions came in three resolutions passed Tuesday, October 6 during the commission’s bi-monthly meeting in City Hall. Commissioners also approved the second reading of a pair of ordinances that now will be enacted.
In other business, Haley Rigdon, the city’s Budget Officer and Interim Finance Director, was recognized as Employee of the Month for October. Mayor Michael-Angelo James also presented a certificate to some members of the Waycross-Ware County Retired Teachers Association proclaiming November 1, Retired Educators Day in the city.
Mayor James conducted the meeting with all commissioners present except William Simmons. The District 2 representative also missed the commission’s planning and information session Monday.
Resolutions
The largest of the approved expenditures was for two dump trucks to replace those deemed no longer fit for service or repairable. They are 1995 and 1999 models.
Their replacements will be purchased separately on state contracts in November and December from vendors in Valdosta and Albany. Prices are $140,658 and $150,465, respectively.
The city also has a 2012 dump truck that remains operational and repairable. Funding is from the 2020 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.
The purchases are part of the city’s effort to upgrade its fleet of vehicles, said City Manager Ulysses “Duke” Rayford, who added the trucks should have a 20-year lifespan for the city. He estimated about 65 percent of that effort is complete, but will be paused after these vehicles to concentrate on road improvements with SPLOST and other funds.
The other purchase was for a large format printer at a cost of $10,298 from a business solutions company in Tifton. The printer is used for zoning and other maps as well as site layouts.
The current printer is out of date and no longer serviceable, Purchasing Director Mamie Jackson said. Its replacement also will be paid with ’23 SPLOST money.
The final measure approved seeking funds from the Georgia Department of Transportation Investment Act with a supplemental agreement for a Regional T-SPLOST project to upgrade Oak and Gilmore streets.
Ordinances
The ordinances that received second readings were for abandonment and closure of an unopened alley and amending a portion of the city code covering alcoholic beverage licensing.
The unopened alley about 10-foot wide is in Block 3A of the Denver Brannen Hillside Subdivision running from Florence Street toward Vine Street. The measure approved closure of Walnut Street while retaining any necessary easements with quit claim deeds issued to abutting property owners.
Closures enable the city to return parcels to a taxable state when deeded.
The other ordinance amends Chapter 6 of the city code to allow to processing alcohol license renewals administratively by the City Commission. The City Clerk no longer would have to read renewals in the commission meeting as required for initial applications because renewals already have gone through the vetting process by the Waycross Police and Fire Departments at the time of application.
Employee of Month
Rayford introduced Haley and praised her for her service. Most recently, she’s been Interim Finance Director following the resignation of Greg Smith in August after four-plus years.
Rayford said Rigdon “has been a steady and trusted presence in our Finance Department through multiple finance directors and city managers. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the city, but what truly stands out is her willingness to help and the positive attitude she brings to the job each day.
“She’s stepped up time and time again when the City has needed her, and her dedication doesn’t go unnoticed.”
The city has advertised for a director and conducted interviews, but the search continues for a successor to Smith, who returned to private accounting.
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