Waycross Georgia City Manager

06/02/2026

CITY OF WAYCROSS COMMISSION WORK SESSION SUMMARY – JUNE 1, 2026

The City Commission recently held a work session to discuss several ongoing projects and community initiatives, including surplus property procedures, train blockage monitoring options, infrastructure updates, road paving projects, storm canal maintenance, code enforcement activities, and resident notification systems. One topic that generated significant discussion was blighted properties and code enforcement.

BLIGHTED PROPERTIES: THE POLICY IS CLEAR – THE CHALLENGE IS IMPLEMENTATION

There have been many comments regarding the City's blight policies and whether they should be strengthened. After reviewing the discussion, the primary issue is not that the City lacks a blight policy. In fact, the City's blight ordinance is detailed and establishes a specific legal process that must be followed before a property can be designated as blighted and become subject to additional actions.

Under City ordinance, a property cannot simply be declared blighted because it looks unattractive or because someone believes it is in poor condition. State law and local ordinance require specific criteria to be met, documented inspections, written findings, notice to the property owner, opportunities for hearings, and due process protections. A property must present multiple qualifying conditions and be shown to negatively impact public health, safety, or crime conditions in the surrounding area.

The challenge is often not the policy itself—it is the practical realities involved in enforcement.

WHAT STAFF SEES IN THE FIELD

The City currently has:

• 307 active overgrowth violations
• 180 active blight violations
• 60 unsafe structure violations
• 30 miscellaneous code violations
• 118 demolitions completed since 2022

These numbers demonstrate that the City is actively enforcing code requirements and addressing problem properties.

However, the reality is more complicated than simply citing a property owner.

Based on staff experience, many blight cases generally fall into three categories:

1️⃣ Approximately one-third of property owners want to comply but face legitimate obstacles. These may include financial hardship, health concerns, probate issues, inheritance disputes, title problems, contractor availability, or other circumstances that make compliance difficult.

2️⃣ Approximately one-third of property owners make little or no effort to address the violations despite receiving notices and opportunities to correct the issues.

3️⃣ Approximately one-third of property owners do not live in Waycross. Some live elsewhere in Georgia, while others reside out of state. Locating these owners, serving legal notices, identifying heirs, and navigating ownership issues can take months—and sometimes years.

This is particularly common with inherited properties, abandoned structures, and properties with unclear ownership records.

WHY CONSISTENT ENFORCEMENT MATTERS

The City receives complaints involving all types of properties throughout the community. Some complaints involve rental properties, absentee owners, businesses, and at times properties owned by individuals with close ties to the community. Because of this, consistent policy enforcement is critical.

Selective enforcement creates legal challenges, exposes the City to liability, and undermines public trust. The same standards must apply to everyone regardless of who owns the property.

The City's goal is not to punish property owners. The goal is to improve neighborhoods, protect public safety, preserve property values, and ensure fairness throughout the community.

OTHER OPTIONS UNDER REVIEW

As part of the discussion, staff will continue evaluating additional tools that may help address blighted properties, including:

• Enhanced owner identification and notification efforts
• Improved coordination with tax, probate, and court processes
• Strategic use of demolition funds where appropriate
• Increased use of voluntary compliance agreements
• Improved public education regarding property maintenance requirements
• Continued evaluation of state-authorized blight remediation programs
• Prioritization of properties that present the greatest public safety concerns

OTHER WORK SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

✔ Continued dirt road paving program and resurfacing projects
✔ Wastewater Treatment Plant Phase II progress
✔ Evaluation of train blockage monitoring technology and lower-cost camera alternatives
✔ Storm canal maintenance and drainage improvements
✔ CivicPlus emergency and community notification system expansion
✔ Review of SPLOST investments and infrastructure funding priorities

The City remains committed to addressing blight, improving infrastructure, and maintaining a fair and consistent approach to enforcement while balancing the legal and practical challenges that accompany these efforts.

The 417 – Where We Make It Happen.

K.I.N.G. – Knowledge. Investment. Nurture. Growth. Building Stronger Communities Through Consistency, Accountability, and Service.

06/01/2026

The City of Waycross does not condone violence of any kind and takes all allegations involving City employees seriously.

At this time, the City is conducting an internal investigation into potential policy violations involving one of its employees. Separately, an incident that occurred outside of official duty operations has been referred to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) for an independent review.

The City investigates all reported incidents when probable cause exists or when an official complaint is received. We recognize that videos, social media posts, and online commentary often capture only a portion of an event and may not provide the full context surrounding a situation. For that reason, the City relies on complete investigations, verified facts, witness statements, and applicable evidence rather than isolated clips, comments, or allegations when making determinations.

To protect the integrity of both investigations and to ensure due process for all parties involved, the City will not provide additional comment while these matters remain under review. We appreciate the public's patience and understanding as the investigative process proceeds.

The City will provide an update once the investigations have been completed and the findings have been reviewed.

05/22/2026

Good afternoon, we wanted to provide some information from the City regarding recent discussions about manufactured homes.

To get straight to the point — if you are considering purchasing a manufactured home, we highly recommend researching the availability of water and sewer services, as well as current zoning requirements, before making a purchase.

Taking these preventive steps beforehand can help ensure you fully understand the real costs associated beyond the purchase of the home itself. This may include utility connections, permitting, site preparation, inspections, and any zoning or placement requirements that may apply to the property.

Doing your research upfront can help avoid unexpected expenses, delays, or issues after purchase. If you have questions, please contact the City so we can help point you in the right direction.

The 417, where we make it happen!!
K.I.N.G. – Knowledge, Investment, Nurture, Growth = Stronger Communities

05/21/2026

Good afternoon,

We hope everyone has a fun and safe weekend enjoying our parks and community spaces.

As a reminder, restroom access at City parks must be pre-coordinated through the Park Permit process to help us ensure facilities are properly opened, maintained, stocked, and secured for all users.

If you have any questions regarding park permits or restroom access, please contact us and we will be happy to assist.

Thank you for helping us keep our parks clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.

— Team Waycross
The 417, where we make it happen!

🚨 Splash Pad Schedule Update 🚨

Due to extreme drought conditions, all three City of Waycross splash pads will operate on a modified schedule beginning Friday, May 22.

💦 Splash Pad Locations
• Mary Street Park
• Elizabeth Park
• Garlington Park

🕛 Hours of Operation
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

🇺🇸 Memorial Day Special Hours
Monday, May 25
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

We appreciate your understanding as we work to conserve water while still providing opportunities for families to stay cool and enjoy our parks. Thank you for helping us protect this valuable resource during these extremely dry conditions.

05/21/2026

We are so proud of these young people.

05/18/2026

Good evening Waycross,

May 18th, 2026 Commission Work Session Summary

The May 18th, 2026 Commission Work Session focused on infrastructure improvements, legislative updates, operational planning, financial transparency, community development, and ongoing service delivery efforts throughout the City of Waycross.

Infrastructure & Public Works

The City provided updates on ongoing infrastructure operations across multiple service zones. Public Works crews continue addressing roadway maintenance, grounds maintenance, canal cleaning, mosquito spraying, traffic services, and waste management operations throughout the city. Engineering staff also continue managing the City’s dirt street paving initiative, utility repairs, sewer and water infrastructure coordination, map updates, and project planning efforts.

Major roadway and infrastructure projects currently underway or in development include:

Brunel Street & Screven Avenue improvements
Oak Street design phase
Ongoing dirt road paving for:
Barbara Street
Deputy Street
Hamilton Street
Holiday Street
James Lane
Johanna Street
Satilla Lane
Wastewater Treatment Plant Phase II improvements, including digester cleaning and equipment installation

The City also discussed its data-driven roadway prioritization process utilizing Roadbotics data, engineering assessments, traffic usage, safety concerns, drainage conditions, and infrastructure readiness to determine paving priorities. The City emphasized that the goal is not simply paving roads, but creating long-term infrastructure improvements that are sustainable and impactful.

GDOT & Regional Transportation Collaboration

Updates were also provided regarding several collaborative transportation and pedestrian safety projects with GDOT, including:

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon at SR520 and Garlington
Raised median concept development on SR520 from Stephenson to SR/US 1
Raised median concept development on SR4 from SR520 to Havanna
US 1 Business corridor coordination between Plant Avenue and Charlton

These projects remain in planning and concept development phases but are intended to improve long-term traffic flow and pedestrian safety throughout major corridors.

Community Improvement & Code Enforcement

The City continues addressing blight, unsafe structures, and overgrowth concerns citywide. Current enforcement and improvement efforts include:

307 overgrowth violations
160 blight violations
45 unsafe structure violations
26 miscellaneous code violations
103 demolitions completed since 2022

City leadership emphasized that these efforts are intended to improve neighborhood safety, community appearance, property values, and future redevelopment opportunities.

Budget & Financial Operations

The Commission reviewed financial operations and discussed how local tax revenues continue supporting core city services and infrastructure investments.

SPLOST 2023 funding updates included:

Approximately $5 million collected toward the $17 million lifecycle projection
$5.7 million appropriated for roads and streets
$4.5 million appropriated for vehicle purchases
$6 million appropriated for infrastructure projects
$550,000 appropriated for blighted property efforts
$300,000 appropriated for park repairs

Additional year-to-date revenues discussed included:

Property Taxes: approximately $3.9 million
Local Sales Taxes: approximately $2.8 million
Business Licenses & Alcohol Permits: approximately $1.3 million

The presentation also reinforced that approximately 75% of local taxes directly support employee salaries, benefits, and frontline services such as Police, Fire, Public Works, and operational support staff.

Communication & Public Engagement

The City continues expanding communication and emergency notification capabilities through the CivicPlus Mass Notification System. Residents can now receive emergency alerts, utility notices, city updates, and event notifications through text messages, email, and phone alerts. The City continues encouraging residents to register through the website, mobile app, page, and monthly reports.

Legislative Update

The Commission also received a legislative update discussing major state legislation impacting municipalities.

Topics included:

Senate Bill 33 regarding statewide floating homestead exemptions and local homestead option sales taxes (LHOST)
HB 244 related to alternative audit reporting methods for smaller governments
HB 1344 concerning insurance affordability and storm mitigation grants
HB 295 involving municipal liability related to nuisance enforcement

Additional updates outlined legislation that passed and failed during the 2026 legislative session, particularly measures impacting property taxes, local government authority, public safety, development regulations, and municipal operations.

Operational & Administrative Items

The work session also included:

Grant agreement discussions
Service contract renewals
Purchase requests
SWAT equipment contract approval discussions
Housing Authority reappointment discussions
Vendor and service provider presentations

Overall, the Commission Work Session reflected the City’s continued focus on infrastructure modernization, financial sustainability, operational accountability, neighborhood improvement, and long-term community growth.

“The 417, where we make it happen.”
K.I.N.G. – Knowledge, Investment, Nurture, Growth = Stronger Communities

05/16/2026

Good evening,

Mayor Dr. Michael-Angelo James opened the 2026 State of the City Address by recognizing members of the City workforce and community leaders who were lost over the past year. A moment of silence was held in their honor, acknowledging their service, contributions, and lasting impact on the City of Waycross and the organization.

Lt. Jesse Lee, Lt. Ernest Lattimore, Fire Chief Donald Kovacs, and Mr. Jacob Cothern will be missed...

The Mayor then delivered the State of the City Address under the theme “Expansion — A City on the Rise,” highlighting the City of Waycross' continued growth, operational improvements, infrastructure investments, public safety successes, and community development efforts.

Throughout the address, the Mayor emphasized that Waycross is no longer simply planning for growth, but actively experiencing it. He described the City as being “on the rise,” pointing to measurable improvements across nearly every department and reinforcing the idea that expansion is already occurring through public safety advancements, infrastructure modernization, economic investment, housing growth, workforce development, and stronger community engagement.

The Mayor recognized the leadership of the City Commission, City Manager Ulysses “Duke” Rayford, department directors, and the City’s 212 employees for their collective role in moving Waycross forward. Particular emphasis was placed on the dedication of frontline employees who maintain roads, respond to emergencies, operate utilities, support residents, and sustain day-to-day operations throughout the city.

Several departmental accomplishments were highlighted during the presentation:

• The Waycross Police Department reported significant crime reductions during 2025, including reductions in violent crime, gun-related incidents, property crimes, and traffic accidents. The department also expanded community-based initiatives, youth engagement programs, and maintained national CALEA accreditation standards.

• The Waycross Fire Department responded to nearly 1,700 emergency calls while maintaining an average response time of approximately three minutes. The department expanded training, community safety outreach, smoke detector installations, and transitioned to improved operational systems and staffing models.

• Community Improvement reported strong development activity, including new commercial construction, apartment development, business expansions, property remodels, and nearly $75 million in construction value. Housing growth and downtown investment were highlighted as major indicators of progress.

• Engineering and Public Works highlighted major infrastructure investments, including road resurfacing, drainage improvements, sewer projects, canal maintenance, park improvements, and the ongoing dirt street paving initiative. The Lee Avenue Culvert Replacement Project and continued stormwater mitigation efforts were specifically recognized as major infrastructure achievements.

• Human Resources highlighted significant workforce retention improvements, lowering employee turnover from approximately 30% to a projected 17%, while expanding recruitment, wellness, retention, scheduling flexibility, and compensation initiatives.

• Business Integration & Information Systems (BIIS) highlighted the launch of the City’s redesigned website, expanded multilingual communication tools, increased public engagement efforts, live-streaming capabilities, and the rollout of “Ask Wally,” the City’s AI-assisted communication platform.

The Mayor also reflected on challenges the City faced during the year, including Hurricane Helene, infrastructure demands, rising operational costs, aging equipment, and increasing service expectations. Despite those pressures, the overall message focused on resilience, unity, and continued momentum.

In closing, Mayor James encouraged residents to remain focused on progress, community involvement, and collective responsibility. He emphasized that the future success of Waycross depends not only on government leadership, but also on residents choosing to invest in, support, and build the community together. The address concluded with the message that Waycross is not a city in decline, but “a City on the Rise.”

05/15/2026

Good afternoon,

The City’s ongoing dirt street paving program is one of the largest long-term infrastructure improvement efforts currently underway in Waycross. This initiative is focused on improving safety, drainage, accessibility, quality of life, and long-term maintenance efficiency across our community.

For many years, numerous dirt roads across the city experienced recurring issues tied to heavy rainfall, standing water, erosion, potholes, dust control, and overall drivability. These conditions not only affected residents daily, but also increased operational demands on Public Works through repeated grading, patching, and temporary maintenance efforts that often provided only short-term solutions.

Through the current paving initiative, the City is working to transition eligible dirt roads to permanent paved surfaces in a phased and financially responsible manner. This effort is being funded primarily through voter-approved SPLOST investments alongside strategic infrastructure planning and operational coordination.

The program is not simply “laying asphalt.” Each roadway must first go through a multi-step engineering and preparation process that often includes:

Drainage evaluation and stormwater improvements
Utility coordination and infrastructure inspections
Road grading and stabilization
Culvert and shoulder work where necessary
Base preparation using graded aggregate materials (GAB)
Final paving and roadway finishing

In many locations, drainage improvements must occur before paving can even begin to ensure the roadway remains sustainable long term and does not create flooding or runoff issues for nearby properties.

The City also uses roadway condition data, traffic utilization information, infrastructure needs, and operational priorities to determine paving schedules. This helps ensure projects are prioritized fairly and based on overall community impact rather than solely on requests or visibility.

Currently, the City’s long-term goal is to pave all remaining eligible dirt roads by approximately early 2028, with an operational target of completing roughly eight roads per quarter as funding, weather, utilities, and contractor schedules allow.

This program represents more than roadway improvements alone. It directly impacts:

Resident safety
Emergency vehicle accessibility
Vehicle wear and tear
Drainage reliability
Neighborhood appearance
Property stability and long-term infrastructure value

At the same time, the City continues balancing this effort against rising construction costs, inflation, material pricing, and other infrastructure demands citywide. Costs for asphalt, fuel, concrete, and construction materials have increased significantly over the last several years, making careful financial planning and project prioritization even more important.

While projects can sometimes appear slow from the outside, roadway paving is a highly coordinated process involving engineering, utilities, contractors, drainage systems, permitting, weather conditions, and long-term infrastructure considerations. The City’s focus remains on completing these projects safely, correctly, and sustainably rather than rushing work that could create larger issues later.

This paving initiative reflects the City’s continued commitment to improving infrastructure across all areas of Waycross while making long-term investments that benefit residents for years to come.

The 417, where we make it happen.

05/13/2026

Good morning Waycross,

We wanted to take a moment to answer a few questions we’ve recently received from the community regarding roads, economic development, grant funding, and upcoming animal management policy discussions.

𝗤: Why are the major highways in Waycross not being paved by the City?

𝗔: Several major corridors inside the City of Waycross are actually maintained by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), not the City. This includes roads such as:

• Ossie Davis Parkway / US 1
• Memorial Drive
• Plant Avenue
• Highway 520 / Corridor Z

While these roads are within our city limits, all resurfacing and paving decisions are managed and funded through GDOT.

The City does, however, work closely with GDOT through cooperative agreements. In some cases, we assist with:
• Street sweeping
• Utilities coordination and mitigation
• Emergency support efforts
• Traffic coordination during projects

We understand residents often see “Waycross” first and assume the City controls every roadway, but state-maintained highways operate under a different system and schedule.

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𝗤: Does the City decide what businesses come to Waycross?

𝗔: No. In a free-market economy, private businesses decide where they invest based on market research, demographics, transportation access, workforce availability, competition, and projected profitability.

For example, the recent discussions surrounding Aldi’s coming to Waycross are driven primarily by private-sector investment decisions and market conditions—not by the City selecting a grocery provider.

The City’s role is to support and assist businesses once they choose to invest in our community. That support may include:
• Permits and inspections
• Utilities connections
• Infrastructure coordination
• Zoning and development guidance
• General onboarding assistance
• Coordination with development authorities and partners

Economic development is truly a partnership between private industry, property owners, development authorities, infrastructure availability, and regional growth trends.

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𝗤: Will the City receive all of the recently discussed state funding being referenced online?

𝗔: No. We are aware of the recent discussions regarding available state funding opportunities and grant programs. While the City absolutely intends to submit applications where eligible, we also want residents to understand the reality of the process.

These funding opportunities are expected to be shared among more than 535 municipalities across the State of Georgia.

That means:
• Funding availability will be highly competitive
• Awards may be limited in scope
• Not every application will be approved
• Some projects may only receive partial funding

We always pursue outside funding opportunities aggressively because every dollar helps reduce pressure on local taxpayers, but we also believe in setting realistic expectations for the community.

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𝗤: When will the City discuss the new animal management policy changes?

𝗔: We plan to brief and discuss proposed animal management policy updates after the FY2027 budget process has been completed.

Right now, staff is still gathering:
• Community feedback
• Operational data
• Enforcement considerations
• Cost impacts
• Shelter and animal control capacity reviews

Once the budget is finalized, we will provide a public briefing and discussion regarding proposed policy adjustments and next steps.

As always, we appreciate the continued questions, engagement, and feedback from our community as we work together to move Waycross forward.

Serving Our Community, Together
The 417, where we make it happen.
K.I.N.G. – Knowledge, Investment, Nurture, Growth = Stronger Communities

05/09/2026

Good morning Waycross,

As hurricane season approaches, we know this time of year can bring concern and uncertainty, especially given our community’s past experiences and recent weather patterns. We want to encourage everyone to begin preparing early, in a way that works best for your household and your situation. As we were out shopping recently, we noticed something important: the same generators that were priced around $1,000 during hurricane season are now available for as low as $399. This is a reminder that preparing before a storm hits can save both money and stress.

We understand that everyone’s financial situation is different, and preparation looks different for each household. However, taking small steps now, when prices are lower, can make a big difference later. Whether it’s stocking up on essentials, securing supplies, or creating a basic emergency plan, every step matters.

Another important consideration is homeowners insurance. At this point, it has become a necessity for our community. Navigating life without coverage here in the Southeast has proven to be catastrophic for many families after major storms. While costs can be a challenge, there are options available, especially for those on fixed incomes:

✔️ State-supported insurance programs or last-resort insurers
✔️ Bundled policies for potential savings
✔️ Higher deductible plans to reduce monthly premiums
✔️ Assistance programs or grants for qualifying households
✔️ Working with local agents to find tailored, lower-cost coverage options

Preparedness is not about fear—it’s about being ready. Let’s continue looking out for one another and taking steps today that protect our homes and families tomorrow.

The 417 – Where We Make It Happen!
K.I.N.G. – Knowledge, Investment, Nurture, Growth = Stronger Communities