There will be more bigger, brighter, and newer Christmas lights around Waycross this holiday season after action last week by the city commission.
Commissioners approved a purchase of $38,336 for lights on utility polls in the downtown area during the holidays. The expenditure from the city’s general fund should result in “40 to 50” new decorations for this season, Purchasing Director Mamie Jackson said.
The resolution was one of three approved by the commission during its bimonthly meeting Tuesday, October 7. Commissioners also set a public hearing for next month and honored Waycross Police Department Det. Mark Horne as October City Employee of the Month.
Mayor Michael-Angelo James conducted the meeting with all commissioners except Katrena Felder in attendance.
Resolutions
The light purchase from DisplaySales of Blooming-ton, Minn., was the second in the span of the year for the city as it works to replace its inventory of aging holiday lights. The city purchased a similar number, but that group included four-foot decorations as opposed to the six-foot ones in this collection, City Manager Ulysses “Duke” Rayford said.
In approving the expenditure, commissioners designated DisplaySales as a “sole source” provider of them item. Rayford said this would ensure the city getting the best possible price while maintaining consistency in the look of the decorations and quick access to any needed parts such as bulbs should something need repaired or replaced.
“We don’t want five or six kinds of light systems throughout city,” Rayford said in asking commissioners to waive the normal competitive bid process required for purchase of any item exceeding $10,000.
Last holiday season, the city placed its new lights in the center of downtown first. They were then spread along access roads into the city’s center until exhausted when hung lights from the existing inventory were hung.
Rayford said the city received positive feedback about the improved decorations last holiday season.
A second resolution OK’d a contract with Peak Performance Pros for a scanning and digital imaging project to benefit the city’s Community Improvement Department. The Rome, Ga., firm was among 11 initial bidders and nine when the city sought a “best and final” round of prices.
Peak’s $18,000 bid was deemed best for the Fiscal Year 2026 work to be paid from American Rescue Plan Act funds.
The final resolution declared 83 items — primarily office furnishings such as chairs, desks and shelving, surplus to be sold on govdeals.com. Jackson said the pieces were no longer in a condition to be used by city staff.
Public hearing
The session was set for 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, November 18 to consider a request to close 20 feet of an alley.
Employee of month
Assistant Police Chief Danny Hampton introduced Horne saying the honoree had excelled in every position he’d held as a member of the depatment.
Horne most recently became a member of special operations where he’s involved in investigating drug- and gang-related activities. “He has a high clearance rate in his new responsibility,” Hampton said on behalf of Chief Tommy Cox. “And he also acts as a general detective investigating property crimes.”
This summer, Horne was among five members of the department to receive the Lifesaver Award for helping save the life of Georgia State Patrole Trooper Justin Jones.
Horne and his colleagues pulled Jones from his submerged vehicle in a culvert following a crash resulting from a highspeed chase, and performed life-extending CPR until Ware EMS personnel arrived.
“Your hard work and professionalism make a difference every day,” Hampton said.
