The Waycross-Ware County Development Authority officially gained ownership of land it has had possession of since the 1960s after action last week by the Waycross City Commission.
Commissioners deeded 4.69 acres in the Waycross-Ware County Industrial Park to the WWDA Tuesday, April 14. The approval of the resolution for transfer of the property, which also is owned by Ware County, corrects an omission for an intended transfer of the property more than six decades ago.
The measure was among four approved by the commission during its bi-monthly meeting in City Hall. Among the other three was one to increase rates by three percent for the city’s water-sewer residential and commercial customers beginning October 1. That resolution also included a seven percent adjustment for the city’s largest businesses.
Mayor Michael-Angelo James and all four commissioners were present for the short session. The commission’s fifth seat is vacant following the January 29 death of Diane Hopkins. Her successor will be determined in November’s Municipal Election.
In other business, Mayor James presented a proclamation to representatives of organizations involved in child and family services designating April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Acting City Attorney Huey Spearman said the WWDA recently discovered the property it has held in the industrial park remained in the name of the Waycross and Ware County. He said the organization always had cared for the property as owner.
“A matter of housekeeping,” Spearman said.
The property will be for recruitment and development purposes with business and industry in the industrial park, the resolution states.
On an economic development note, a community forum on the subject will be held at 5:30 p.m. today (Wednesday, April 23) at the Stephens Venue, 773 Ossie Davis Parkway. District 5 Commissioner Alvin Nelson will serve as host for the event, which will feature local officials talking about development opportunities and growth in the community.
The second resolution approved declaring 85 toner cartridges as surplus property for sale to the highest bidder on govdeals. com. The city has upgraded its copiers and printers the past few years rendering the cartridges obsolete, Purchasing Director Mamie Jackson said.
The third resolution established times for two planning retreats for “operational analysis” each calendar year for the commission and city officials. They will be held in April and October on dates to be determined by commissioners early each year.
City Manager Ulysses “Duke” Rayford had recommended moving from one to two sessions for commissioners and directors shortly after his hiring two years ago. The city held its first retreat of 2025 earlier this month.
Commissioner Katrena Felder recommended that in future public notice of retreats contains language that the sessions are open to the public to view on site. There is, however, no forum for participation by the public.
