Blackshear City Council discussed and/or voted on the following during their monthly work session on August 5 and regular meeting held on August 12.
Trash service rates:
The council unanimously approved Ryland Environmental’s request for a rate increase for trash haul off service in Blackshear. The $1 per month rate increase presents only a $12 hike in fees per year. Ryland requested the rate increase to cover the rising cost per ton to use nearby landfills.
New fire engine: The council unanimously approve a motion to purchase a new fire engine for the Blackshear Fire Department from Brackett’s Fire Equipment in the amount of $597,000. The new engine will be a Spencer M2 206 Freightliner Crew Cab pumper. The purchase will be financed through a United States Department of Agriculture’s rural community facilities direct loan and grant program.The city will provide any necessary matching funds required by the grant program. The 2.8% interest rate quoted to the city for the loan was deemed favorably low.
Hay contract: The council unanimously voted to renew the contact with KDug Construction of Patterson to cut, bale and remove hay grown on the city’s 200 acre “spray field” where treated waste water is spread.
The current contract has now been extended by 36 months. K-Dug pays the city a $3,000 lump sum per year while the contract is in effect for the right to harvest and re-sell the hay.
Barn repairs: The council unanimously voted to authorize a contract with J&B Construction to repair damage to the city’s hay barn caused by Hurricane Helene.
The cost of the repairs is $25,500. The city has already received payment from their insurer for the storm damage to help cover the cost of repairs.
New police vehicles:
The city council unanimously approved a request by the Blackshear Police Department to purchase two new police interceptor vehicles with a total price tag of $93,800.
The new units will be Ford Explorers. Police Chief Wright cited that previous vehicles of that make and model had water pump problems that have since been resolved. Wright stated “a Charger would probably be the best price, but those aren’t currently being made.”
The council approved the funds to lock in the price of both vehicles and to get necessary equipment installed in them once the weather turns a bit cooler.
Department Reports Blackshear Police Dept. Report: BPDreported 24 vehicular accidents in the month of July, 3 with injuries. Nineteen warnings, 143 citations and 3 ordinance violations were recorded. There were also 13 arrests in July, which is almost an 117% increase over July 2024.
Blackshear Volunteer Fire Dept. Report: BFD responded to 31 different events in June, 3 of which involved downed phone, cable or power lines.
One dispatched call was cancelled en route. BFD workers and volunteers completed a total of 287 cumulative hours of activities and training.
Public Works Dept: Last month, the department conducted no water service repairs, meter replacements, nor any meter box or meter lid replacements and only 3 sewer service repairs.
There were 15 water and sewage locates and 85 leak checks, locating 71. There were also 15 read checks, 20 cut offs, 20 cut back on and 30 new customers connected in July. Two incidents of consumer tampering occurred during the reporting period. Public works also performed routine grass maintenance, replaced damaged street signs, conducted routine cleaning of storm drains, repaired potholes and performed routine limb trimming. Public works also performed routine grass maintenance at the city cemetery.
Main Street Program: The Main Street/Better Hometown program spent $7,592.34 during the reporting period.
There were no board meetings nor any special training during the month of July.
There were also no downtown events during the month of July. Ten volunteer hours were used to conduct the programs monthly business.
Senior Center: Center volunteer Karen Herndon reported that the recent senior farmers market drive through in Offerman served fresh produce and a bagged lunch to approximately 139 seniors in that community.
The women claimed the garden trophy in the center’s recent gardening, which pitted men versus the ladies. August 21 was National Senior Citizen Day.
Attendance: Mayor Keith Brooks, city attorney Adam Ferrell, Chuck Ward, Corey Lesseig, Theo Mackey and Mat Boatright were all in attendance at the regular session. Council member Jerry Boatright was not present at the regular meeting, but there was a quorum sufficient to vote on matters.
Next meeting: The council will hold its next work session, meeting at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 2 and its next regular meeting at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, September 9.
