Waycross Georgia City Manager

10/23/2026

CITY OF WAYCROSS

WEEKLY CITY MANAGER'S UPDATE

October 19–23, 2026

Good afternoon, Waycross!

As we close another week, I want to recognize the continued efforts of our City employees and community partners. From infrastructure improvements and public safety to animal adoptions, technology upgrades, and economic development, our departments remain focused on improving services and addressing the needs of our community.

Here is a summary of this week's activities and accomplishments.

PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Our Public Works crews continued making significant improvements throughout the City.

• Continued demolition work on the fifth and sixth unsafe structures scheduled for October.
• Completed a major drainage improvement project involving the removal of deteriorated underground piping and installation of approximately 200 feet of new 24-inch drainage pipe.
• Replaced an additional 60 feet of deteriorated 24-inch drainage pipe along Screven Avenue.
• Coordinated tree removal, drainage repairs, and restoration of affected areas to improve drainage and reduce erosion.
• Preparing to begin seasonal curb and sidewalk edging along Knight Avenue, City Boulevard, Albany Avenue, and Tebeau Street.

These projects are examples of important infrastructure work that residents may not always see but that directly affects drainage, safety, and neighborhood conditions.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Waycross Police Department continued its recruitment, operational planning, and community engagement efforts.

• Extended conditional employment offers to police officer applicants.
• Conducted staffing and personnel allocation discussions among department leadership.
• Continued planning for participation in community Halloween events.
• Advanced planning for the transition from an outdated analog radio system to digital communications.
• Continued work associated with the proposed Criminal Investigations facility and related property acquisition.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Our Fire Department had another productive week supporting public safety, education, and community engagement.

• Responded to 45 emergency calls for service.
• Conducted 32 annual fire inspections and two site inspections.
• Delivered four fire safety education programs.
• Participated in career and safety education activities at local schools, including Ruskin Elementary, Williams Heights, Waresboro, and Memorial Drive Elementary.
• Supported Exceptional Kids Day and Miracle League activities.
• Three firefighter recruits successfully passed Firefighter I testing and have been assigned to shifts. The remaining recruit is completing additional preparation before retesting.
• Continued annual fire hydrant testing, which is nearing completion.

COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT, CODE ENFORCEMENT, AND ANIMAL SERVICES

Our Community Improvement Department continued its work on permitting, neighborhood conditions, animal welfare, and ordinance updates.

• Reviewed plans for new building permits.
• Continued repairs and improvements at the Waycross Animal Shelter.
• Prepared for the October 28 Land Bank Authority meeting.
• Continued developing proposed changes to animal management and code enforcement ordinances.

Seven cats and eight dogs found homes this week. Thank you to everyone who continues supporting animal adoption and responsible pet ownership.

HUMAN RESOURCES AND EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT

Our Human Resources Department continued supporting employee recruitment, professional development, and workforce needs across City departments.

• Continued processing employee transitions, recruitment, and onboarding activities.
• Continued recruitment for positions within Animal Services, Public Works, Finance, and the Police Department.
• Coordinated the final session of the Georgia Municipal Association's Human Resources Administration Certificate program, scheduled for October 28 at the City Auditorium.
• Prepared for First Responders Appreciation Day on October 28, including the annual delivery of appreciation packages to our public safety departments.

The City continues working to fill vacancies, strengthen our workforce, and provide professional development opportunities for employees.

TECHNOLOGY, CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND MODERNIZATION

Our Business Integration & Information Systems team continued improving the technology supporting City operations and resident services.

• Created MyGov vehicle management accounts for 44 City drivers to improve vehicle assignments, maintenance tracking, and repair requests.
• Continued employee training and activation for the NextRequest Open Records Portal.
• Advanced processing arrangements for the City's customer service kiosk check readers.
• Ordered a new wireless microphone system to improve audio quality during meetings and town halls.
• Developed additional digital fillable forms for Community Improvement.
• Continued support for City equipment and technology needs.

Utility Customer Service also addressed customer billing concerns, coordinated a leaking-meter inspection, and worked with Georgia Power to resolve a reported streetlight issue.

These improvements are part of our continued commitment to making City operations more efficient, accessible, and accountable.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, DOWNTOWN, AND TOURISM

Several initiatives continued moving forward to support business development and strengthen our community.

• Coordinated engineering and utility discussions involving the proposed Zaxby's development.
• Continued work on the Crossroads Visitors and Business Center, including roofing proposals.
• Coordinated Main Street program documentation and communication with our development authorities.
• Updated tourism billboard artwork.
• Continued coordination with the Chamber of Commerce, including discussion of potential office space within the Visitors and Business Center.
• Participated in the Waycross Middle School ribbon-cutting ceremony.
• Supported community engagement through the OATH Recovery "A Night Without a Home" event.

GRANTS, COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, AND UPCOMING EVENTS

The City continued identifying opportunities to secure outside funding and improve community programming.

• Began preparations for a $75,000 African American Mayors Association Nutrition Access grant opportunity, which requires no local match.
• Participated in grant development discussions and began preparing the required application materials.
• Reserved dates for three major 2027 events.

Staff New Year Reception: January 7
Mayor's Ball: February 13
State of the City: April 23

• Continued preparing event announcements and promotional materials.

LOOKING AHEAD

Next week, our teams will continue work on vehicle management implementation, drainage and infrastructure maintenance, animal shelter improvements, ordinance recommendations, and economic development projects.

Scheduled activities include the Chamber of Commerce meeting, Land Bank Authority meeting, Swampfest follow-up, and continued coordination with community partners.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

I want to especially recognize the work of our Public Works employees this week. Replacing aging drainage infrastructure, clearing obstructed rights-of-way, and removing unsafe structures requires significant coordination, equipment, and physical labor. These are important investments in the long-term condition of our neighborhoods.

I also want to congratulate our three firefighter recruits who successfully completed Firefighter I testing and thank everyone who helped find homes for 15 shelter animals.

Our progress is the result of employees across multiple departments working together, often behind the scenes, to serve our residents.

Thank you to our City employees, community partners, and residents who continue contributing to a better Waycross.

One City. One Team. One Waycross.

KING: Keep Investing in Neighborhood Growth.

4:17: Moving forward together, with purpose and accountability. Where we make it Happen!!!

10/23/2026

Good morning, any concerns, questions, recommendations, or positive solutions...

10/22/2026

Let's get them home!!!

Picked up from planet fitness area contact the shelter to reclaim

10/22/2026

The "WPD"!!!

Thank you, Ruskin Elementary School, for having Officer McIntosh come out to speak about Halloween safety!

10/20/2026

Good Morning, Waycross!

I want to provide a summary of our City Commission Planning & Information Session held Monday, October 19, 2026.

We discussed several important matters involving road maintenance, permit fees, panhandling, homelessness, economic development, financial management, and neighborhood improvements.

I encourage residents to understand not only what we are considering, but also why these discussions are necessary.

1. Road Maintenance — Using Better Data to Make Decisions

One of our discussions involved a proposed pavement assessment and management system.

Currently, our previous pavement study is approximately five years old, and staff no longer have access to that information. We need a more reliable and consistent method for evaluating street conditions and determining which roads should be resurfaced first.

The proposed system would:

- Evaluate approximately 150 miles of City streets annually.
- Assign every street an objective pavement condition score.
- Identify potholes, cracking, and other pavement deterioration.
- Help establish one-, three-, five-, and ten-year paving plans.
- Provide repair cost estimates and strengthen our ability to pursue grants.

The proposed cost is $12,940 annually, or $38,820 over three years.

Our goal is to establish a more transparent, data-driven approach that considers actual roadway conditions, maintenance needs, and available funding.

2. Proposed Building Permit and Inspection Fee Changes

The Commission reviewed proposed adjustments to building permits, inspections, and related fees, with a possible effective date of January 1, 2027.

Several existing fees have not kept pace with the cost of providing services. The proposed adjustments are primarily directed toward commercial development and larger-scale new home construction, where the costs associated with plan reviews, inspections, and administration are generally greater.

The proposal includes:

- Residential building permits calculated at $1.10 per square foot, with a $2,000 permit cap.
- Commercial building permits calculated at $1.45 per square foot, with a $10,000 permit cap.
- Reinspection fees increasing from $25 to $50.
- Adjustments to plumbing, electrical, HVAC, demolition, zoning, and other permit fees.

Some changes would replace value-based calculations with more standardized fee structures.

These changes are proposals, not final approvals. The objective is to establish a more consistent fee schedule that better reflects the services provided while recognizing the differences between smaller residential projects and larger development activities.

3. Panhandling and Homelessness

We also reviewed our existing panhandling ordinance and discussed whether updates are needed.

Our current ordinance already addresses certain forms of solicitation, including activities near ATMs, building entrances, public transportation areas, and vehicles in traffic.

The discussion focused on strengthening regulations involving aggressive behavior, obstruction of public spaces, and public safety.

We also reviewed a draft ordinance addressing camping on public property, obstruction of sidewalks and entrances, and related concerns.

An important part of this discussion is recognizing that homelessness and unlawful conduct are not the same issue.

We must balance public safety, property rights, constitutional protections, and compassion for individuals experiencing difficult circumstances.

Potential approaches include working with organizations such as OATH, Unison Behavioral Health, local churches, and other community partners to connect individuals with available services while establishing clearer enforcement procedures.

Any proposed ordinance changes would require legal review and Commission consideration before adoption.

4. Crossroads Visitors & Business Center

We discussed the proposed development of the Crossroads Visitors & Business Center at 407 Pendleton Street.

This historic building, constructed in 1913, presents an opportunity to strengthen our downtown, tourism, and business development efforts.

The proposed improvements would occur in phases.

The first priority is replacing the roof, with preliminary estimates ranging from $169,000 to $189,000. SPLOST funding was identified as the proposed funding source.

Interior improvements would follow, using available tourism funds, City personnel where practical, and potential grant opportunities.

The proposed facility would include business offices, meeting space, and accessible restrooms.

The goal is to preserve and improve an existing City asset while creating a facility that supports visitors, businesses, and economic development.

5. City Infrastructure — Roads, Water, Sewer & Drainage

During my City Manager's update, I emphasized our continued focus on addressing aging infrastructure.

Current roadway paving priorities include Screven Avenue and Barbara, Deputy, Hamilton, Holiday, James, Johanna, and Satilla.

Screven Avenue will also serve as our first assessment location for speed strips, which are expected to be installed this week. This will allow us to evaluate their effectiveness in addressing speeding and improving roadway safety before considering their use in other locations.

Our ongoing goal is to resurface more than 10 roads annually while coordinating with the Georgia Department of Transportation on state-maintained roadways.

We also continue working on drainage improvements, aging water and sewer infrastructure, and equipment investments that improve service delivery.

One of our greatest challenges is that much of our infrastructure has exceeded its intended service life.

We cannot replace everything at once. We must prioritize the most critical needs, seek outside funding, and make responsible decisions that provide long-term benefits.

6. City Finances — Understanding Where the Money Goes

We discussed our financial priorities for FY2027 and the importance of maintaining balanced funds, monitoring expenditures, completing reconciliations, and pursuing available grant funding.

I also shared a financial snapshot to help residents better understand the cost of operating City government.

For example, the September service cost snapshot included approximately:

- Police Department — $424,000
- Fire Department — $341,000
- Public Works — $318,000
- Support Staff — $213,000

These figures represent selected operating costs, not the entire City budget.

We also reviewed major SPLOST capital appropriations, including:

- Roads and Streets — $5.7 million
- Vehicle Purchases — $4.5 million
- Infrastructure — $6 million
- Blighted Properties — $550,000
- Park Repairs — $300,000

It is important to understand that appropriated funds are not necessarily funds already spent, and certain revenues are legally restricted to specific purposes.

Inflation, equipment prices, insurance, labor, and construction costs continue to place pressure on local governments.

Our responsibility is to maintain essential services while making decisions that are financially sustainable.

7. Code Enforcement — Moving From Repeated Notices to Results

One of the most important discussions involved the challenges associated with property maintenance and code enforcement.

Our July reporting identified more than:

- 400 overgrowth violations
- 200 blight violations
- 100 unsafe structure violations
- 50 miscellaneous code violations

We have also recorded 124 demolitions since 2022.

The challenge is not simply identifying violations. It is ensuring that cases move toward resolution.

Too many cases remain in repeated notification or follow-up stages without timely correction.

We are reviewing changes that would establish clearer expectations, consistent enforcement procedures, and legally authorized consequences when violations remain unresolved.

Our goal is not simply to issue more citations. It is to improve compliance, protect property values, reduce unsafe conditions, and strengthen neighborhood accountability.

Any proposed changes will require appropriate legal review and Commission approval.

8. Community Development & Quality of Life

We continue seeing private investment and redevelopment activity throughout Waycross.

Our priorities include supporting existing businesses, attracting new development, expanding housing opportunities, improving parks, and continuing downtown revitalization.

We are also advancing discussions involving responsible animal ownership, registration, microchipping, spay/neuter initiatives, and neighborhood cleanup efforts.

These improvements require cooperation between City government, property owners, businesses, and residents.

9. Additional Commission Business

The Commission also reviewed the nomination of Rusty Hall to the Waycross-Ware County Development Authority for a four-year term beginning January 1, 2027.

Privilege license renewals for George's Liquor Store and Dollar General Market were also listed for consideration at the October 20 regular Commission meeting.

10. Moving Forward — Catch Up. Modernize. Sustain.

I closed my presentation by emphasizing three priorities that guide our approach to City operations.

Catch Up: Address years of deferred maintenance, aging infrastructure, and longstanding operational challenges.

Modernize: Improve outdated systems, processes, technology, and accountability.

Sustain: Establish responsible maintenance schedules, financial controls, and long-term funding strategies so we do not continue repeating the same problems.

The reality is that we cannot correct decades of infrastructure needs and deferred maintenance in one budget cycle.

However, we can make better decisions today, improve how we operate, and establish systems that serve Waycross well into the future.

I also encourage residents to report concerns through our official City channels, including the MyWaycrossGA app. Providing accurate locations, descriptions, and photographs helps our departments respond more effectively.

Closing Thoughts

I recognize that residents want to see improvements in their neighborhoods, streets, drainage systems, parks, and overall quality of life. We want those improvements as well.

But responsible government requires more than identifying problems. It requires evaluating costs, determining priorities, following legal procedures, and ensuring that the solutions we implement can be sustained.

We will continue sharing information, listening to residents, and working toward measurable improvements.

Thank you to our City employees, Commissioners, community partners, and residents who continue contributing to the progress of Waycross.

K.I.N.G. — Keep Investing in Neighborhood Growth.

417 — One City. One Team. One Waycross. Where "We" make it happen!!!

10/19/2026

Good Morning, Waycross!

A reminder that our Animal & Code Management Education Forum will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, October 20, at 6:00 PM in the City Commission Chambers.

This will be our 13th community education meeting, and we have covered many topics and addressed numerous questions multiple times throughout this process.

If you are attending for the first time, we strongly encourage you to review the attached presentation beforehand to familiarize yourself with the information already discussed.

We are now transitioning from education and discussion into implementation and action. Our focus moving forward will be on putting the proposed improvements into practice, strengthening accountability, and addressing the issues affecting our neighborhoods.

We appreciate everyone who has participated in these discussions and encourage residents to remain engaged as we move into this next phase.

K.I.N.G. — Keep Investing in Neighborhood Growth.

417 — One City. One Team. One Waycross. Where "We" make it happen!!!

10/19/2026

The "WFD"!!

Happy birthday to Captain Ben Johnston! We hope you have a great day!

10/19/2026

Good Morning, Waycross!

I want to share a summary of City operations and the work our departments during the week of October 12–16, 2026.

Every week, our employees are working to improve City services, maintain infrastructure, strengthen public safety, support economic development, and address the needs of our community. Some of this work is highly visible, while much of it takes place behind the scenes.

Technology, Customer Service & Financial Operations

We continue modernizing City operations to make services more convenient and efficient for residents and businesses.

- On October 15, we launched eCheck payments across all City online payment links. The fee is a flat $1.95, compared to 3.75% for credit and debit cards ($2.50 minimum).
- Installed the awning for our outside payment kiosk and ordered additional card readers.
- Completed administrator training for the MyGov Asset Manager system.
- Updated sanitation work orders to improve coordination with Ryland employees.
- Continued training and implementation of our new Open Records Portal.
- Distributed updated payment information and fillable invoices to departments.

These improvements help reduce paperwork, improve accountability, and make it easier for residents to conduct business with the City.

Police Department & Public Safety

Our Police Department continues working to maintain public safety while addressing staffing, equipment, and operational needs.

- Processing applicants to fill five vacant police officer positions.
- Reviewing mutual aid agreements with other law enforcement agencies.
- Coordinating staffing for upcoming community events.
- Monitoring overtime and fuel expenditures.
- Evaluating the transition from outdated analog radios to a modern digital communication system.
- Continuing planning related to criminal investigations facilities.
- Reviewing new State equipment requirements that currently lack dedicated funding.

Recruitment, modernization, and responsible financial management remain important priorities for the department.

Fire Department & Emergency Services

Our Fire Department responded to 35 emergency calls during the reporting period while continuing training, inspections, and community education.

- Completed a Georgia firefighter training records audit with no issues identified.
- Conducted fire extinguisher training for Petroleum Service Group.
- Continued annual fire hydrant testing, which is nearing completion.
- Fire recruits participated in the Georgia Firefighter I certification examination.
- Continued preparations for fire safety education at local schools and community organizations.

We appreciate the dedication of our firefighters, who respond to emergencies while also working to prevent them.

Public Works, Streets & Infrastructure

Our Public Works team continues addressing some of the most important and challenging responsibilities of local government.

Public Works priorities include:

- Roadway maintenance, pothole repairs, and preparations for additional paving projects.
- Drainage maintenance, ditch cleaning, and addressing areas experiencing recurring flooding.
- Sidewalk repairs and right-of-way maintenance.
- Tree trimming, vegetation removal, and alley maintenance.
- Equipment maintenance and improvements to service delivery.
- Responding to resident service requests and supporting neighborhood cleanup efforts.

We are also continuing coordination on upcoming paving work involving Screven Street, along with other infrastructure priorities.

Roads, drainage, sidewalks, and infrastructure improvements require significant funding, equipment, personnel, and planning. We recognize residents' concerns and remain focused on addressing these needs as resources allow.

Economic Development, Housing & Community Investment

Our economic development efforts continue focusing on attracting investment, supporting businesses, and expanding housing opportunities.

- Advanced the redesigned concept for the Crossroads Visitors & Business Center.
- Continued follow-up regarding the proposed Zaxby's development.
- Shared our completed Housing Study with grant writers and developers and made it available on the City's website.

The Housing Study provides important information to help identify housing needs, support future development, and strengthen applications for outside funding.

Tourism & Regional Partnerships

We continue working with regional partners to promote Waycross and strengthen tourism opportunities.

- Participated in the October 13 Okefenokee Partnership meeting and provided an update on Waycross.
- Advanced the Tourism Activation and Implementation Plan as a regional proposal involving neighboring communities, including Charlton and Clinch counties.
- Continued coordination with downtown development partners.
- Participated in the Chamber's Rise and Shine event at the Family Justice Center.

Regional partnerships are important because economic development and tourism opportunities extend beyond city limits.

Community Improvement, Code Enforcement & Animal Services

Our Community Improvement team continues working on neighborhood conditions, development reviews, animal welfare, and ordinance improvements.

Recent activities include:

- Reviewing plans for new building permits.
- Continuing improvements at the Animal Shelter, including painting kennel walls.
- Working on updates to Animal Control and Code Enforcement ordinances.
- Reporting 10 dogs received at the shelter and adoptions of seven cats and five dogs.
- Supporting a PetSmart adoption event where four cats and four dogs found homes.

We appreciate our Animal Services employees, volunteers, and community partners who continue helping animals find loving homes.

Important: Animal & Code Management Community Training Forum

This Tuesday, October 20, at 6:00 PM, we will hold another Animal & Code Management Training Forum.

These sessions are designed to help residents better understand City ordinances, animal ownership responsibilities, property maintenance requirements, code enforcement procedures, and the role each of us plays in maintaining our neighborhoods.

We also want residents to understand the changes being considered and have an opportunity to ask questions.

Education and personal accountability are essential to improving our community. We encourage residents to attend, participate, and become part of the solution.

Leadership, Planning & Department Coordination

Throughout the week, City leadership and department representatives participated in meetings involving engineering projects, water and sewer coordination, downtown development, City operations, and Commission priorities.

These meetings are necessary to coordinate projects, identify challenges, monitor progress, and ensure departments are working together.

Community Events & Upcoming Meetings

We appreciate everyone who supported the Waycross Service League 3K Run and OATH's "A Night Without a Home" Community Challenge this past weekend.

Upcoming meetings and activities include:

- Monday, October 19, at 5:00 PM — Planning & Information Session.
- Tuesday, October 20, at 5:00 PM — City Commission Meeting.
- Tuesday, October 20, at 6:00 PM — Animal & Code Management Training Forum.

We encourage residents to attend these meetings, stay informed, and participate in the discussions affecting our community.

Moving Waycross Forward

I often remind our team that improving a city is not about one project, one department, or one individual. It requires consistent effort across every area of government, along with the involvement of our residents.

We continue facing challenges involving aging infrastructure, rising operational costs, staffing, neighborhood conditions, and limited financial resources. These challenges did not develop overnight, and many will require long-term solutions.

However, we are making progress through better planning, modernization, partnerships, responsible spending, and a commitment to improving how we serve our residents.

We also recognize that City government cannot address every challenge alone. Property owners, businesses, neighborhood organizations, volunteers, and community partners all have an important role.

Thank you to our employees and everyone who continues investing their time, energy, and resources into making Waycross better.

K.I.N.G. — Keep Investing in Neighborhood Growth.

417 — One City. One Team. One Waycross. Where "We" make it happen!!!

10/16/2026

GM, what a great event!!!

10/16/2026

We would like to thank Grace Episcopal Church - Waycross for providing our clients with blessing bags & Snacks today! ♥️