Improvements to local roadways received a $1.721 million boost last week with approval of a resolution by the Waycross City Commission on a contract for Phase II of the city’s paving program.
The contract with Thrift Brothers, LLC, of Waycross was one of three resolutions approved by commissioners at a called meeting Wednesday, November 26. In addition to the resolutions, commissioners approved the first of two readings for an ordinance related to a city alley and 35 privilege license renewals.
In other business, City Manager Ulysses “Duke” Rayford informed commissioners the city’s health insurance plan will increase by 10 percent next year and offered options on city-employee split on covering the hike.
The called session was held after the city’s bimonthly meetings scheduled earlier in the month were not held for lack of a quorum.
Mayor Michael-Angelo James conducted Wednesday’s session with all commissioners present.
The bid from Thrift Brothers was one of two received for the work, Purchasing Director Mamie Jackson said at a commission planning and information session earlier in the month. It was the “lowest and best” when compared to the bid by the Scruggs Co., she said.
Commissioner Katrena Felder asked outside of it being the lowest of the two bids, what constituted it being awarded as best. Finance Director Greg Smith, in Jackson’s absence, said he didn’t have the information at hand.
The resolution passed with affirmative votes from commissioners Shawn Roberts, Sheinita Bennett and Alvin Nelson. Felder abstained.
Another resolution approved an outdated desktop printer being surplussed for future sale on govdeals.com. The third OK’d the city’s holiday calendar for 2026.
The ordinance, which received another reading at the commission’s first bi-monthly meeting, December 2, abandoned and closed a portion of an unopened alley running from Church Street toward Plant Avenue. The city will retain easement, and quitclaim deeds will be authorized for the adjacent property owner/s.
Each of the privilege license renewals was granted. In an earlier session in November, Rayford said the city would seek a change in the process for license renewals.
He said applications would be brought before the commission for consideration, but not renewals. He said since the vetting process was completed with the original application, there was no need for approval on renewals.
This would allow businesses to renew online and lessen the work of the City Clerk’s office.
In the administrative portion of the meeting, Rayford presented cost options for commissioners to consider on the insurance. Those were ranged for the city absorbing all the cost to a 50-50 split between the city and employees.
Rayford said meetings were held with staff members and he was seeking a 70-30 split between city and staff. He said the city currently pays about $150,000 a month for the health benefits, and the recommended split would raise that about $10,000 a month.
All four commissioners consented to that cost division, and a resolution for that was expected to be on the agenda for the December 2 meeting.
