The Waycross City Commission was left to handle administrative duties only last week after failing to have a quorum for its bi-monthly meeting in City Hall.
Only Commissioners Shawn Roberts and Alvin Nelson joined Mayor Michael-Angelo James for the 5 p.m. session Tuesday, November 4 with Commissioners Sheinita Bennett and Katrena Felder absent.
The posted agenda for the meeting was a light one with only bid request to surplus city property, four privilege license renewals and two resolutions to consider. None of the items was time-sensitive and could be considered at the commission’s next meeting Tuesday, November 18.
The panel honored Jadee McCloskey of the Business Integration and Information Systems Department as the Employee of the Month for November. It also heard a presentation from a member of Mauldin & Jenkins, the city’s auditing firm, on the process of an annual audit of city finances as part of the report of City Manager Ulysses “Duke” Rayford.
McCloskey has been a city staffer since March when she joined the team of Director Patrick Simmons, who introduced the honoree at the meeting.
“Although Jadee has only been with us a relatively short time ... she has already become an invaluable part of our organization,” Simmons said. “Her dedication, initiative, and professionalism have made a strong impact across multiple areas.”
Simmons said Mc-Closkey played a key role in reviving First Fridays in downtown and helped revitalize community engagement and local business participation.
She also provides ongoing support to our tourism partners, serves as Secretary during WCVB Board meetings, and maintains the WCVB Facebook page and community calendar — ensuring that information about Waycross events and attractions is accurate and up to date.
“Jadee consistently takes on additional tasks without hesitation or complaint, always willing to step up when needed,” Simmons praised. “Her positive attitude, reliability, and willingness to go the extra mile make her a true asset to the Business Integration and Information Systems Department and to the City of Waycross team as a whole.”
Rayford said the presentation by Kellan Shuford on the components of an audit was an action toward transparency for citizens after repeated inquiries about the city’s budget.
Mauldin & Jenkins issued a “clean” audit dated December 19, 2024 in a presentation to the commission February 4, 2025.
