The second phase of the upgrade to the city’s wastewater treatment facility will begin after approval of a construction contract last week by the Waycross City Commission.
Commissioners passed a resolution to accept a $2.223 million bid by a Statesboro company for the next level of work to the aging operation. The first phase of upgrades to the plant that dates to the 1960s began in 2022 and were completed the following year.
The resolution was one of two related to the wastewater treatment facility among the five approved by the commission during its bi-monthly meeting Tuesday, January 20. The second measure OK’d a contract for cleaning the plant’s digester.
In addition to the resolutions, commissioners approved a privilege license renewal, filled a handful of vacancies on city and civic boards, and presented Public Works Department staff member Anthony James the Kennedy L. Sanders Outstanding Citizen Achievement Because of the Martin Luther King Holiday, January 19, the commission held its planning and information session at 3 p.m. and a called meeting to discuss the second quarter of the Fiscal 202526 budget before the business meeting. Mayor Michael Angelo James conducted the sessions with all commissioners except District 1’s Shawn Roberts present for all three.
Resolutions
The bid from SCI Construction, Inc., for the next part of upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant was among three received, Purchasing Director Mamie Jackson said. The project will be funded by a Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) loan.
The $548,900 contract with Universal Services, Inc., of Chattanooga for the digester work also will be GEFA funded. There were six bids for the work that clears the equipment of sludge, grit, sludge and sand.
The third resolution awarded a contract for $295,775 to Underground Excavating, Inc., of Patterson for sinkhole and storm drainage repair on MLK and Quarterman streets. The bid for the 530 feet of work was among six received.
The fourth measure approved purchase of a new excavator for $232,000 with Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds. It replaces an old model that went out while on a job netting the city $87,427 in a insurance settlement to make the cost $144,572 on a state contract.
Purchase of a new excavator was scheduled to be included in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget.
The final resolution surplussed a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, a 1998 Ford Ranger pickup and a 2017 Hustler zero turn mower. The Public Works vehicles will be sold on govdeals.com.
Sanders Award
James is a 43-year employee in the Public Works Department where he oversees all aspects of the city’s cemeteries, which cover about 87 acres.
Public Works Director Matt Elwell said Anthony’s “level of professionalism and service can’t be duplicated for those inside the city and (others) outside who come to visit a loved one. You can’t replace his knowledge and caring.”
William Simmons, who’s in his second stint on the commission, said funeral directors always have told him when they had a cemetery issue, Anthony was the person they wanted to speak with about it.
The commission meets again for its planning and information session at 5 p.m., Monday February 2 with its first bi-monthly meeting at 5 p.m. the following day.
SPECIAL PHOTO City of Waycross Cemetery Superintendent Anthony James was presented Golden Spike No. 40 of 100 during last week’s City Commission meeting. In honoring James, Mayor Michael-Angelo (left) and Public Works Director Matt Elwell (right) said the 43-year city employee consistently goes above and beyond his job duties, serving our community with compassion, professionalism, and care. His dedication helps bring comfort to families during times of bereavement— and long after — making a lasting difference when it matters most.
