City still trying to dig out of hole

By
MARY ANN ANDERSON
When Tammy Metts, the city’s certified public accountant, gave an update on the city’s finances, she said that on the negative side, the city is “still trying to dig ourselves out of the hole” that resulted from when the city owned and financed the golf course.
She also noted that expenses from Hurricane Helene had further dented the city’s coffers. Metts pointed out, however, that the line of credit for the General Fund is more than $650,000 and asked the council for authority to begin paying down the principal instead of just the interest.
City Clerk Vernice Thompson said of the city’s finances, “It’s been a struggle, but things are looking more positive. We’re still waiting for GEMA and FEMA to release more funds [for hurricane relief].”
After council members voted 4-0 to allow Metts to pay down the debt, Councilman Landon Chavis, in a lighthearted moment, said, “Let it be said that the City of Hazlehurst is paying down its debt.”
Metts also reported that the Water and Sewer Department is “looking bad right now,” but explained that the department has faced higher expenses from repairs related to Hurricane Helene.
Robert Carter of the Zoning Board then addressed the council, explaining that Tyler Clifton of Shuteye Investments LLC had purchased several acres near the intersection of Broxton Highway, Charles Rogers Boulevard, and Pat Dixon Road to construct a home and garden center. On Clifton’s behalf, Carter requested that the council rezone the property from residential to commercial, a motion that passed unanimously.
When it came time to select the mayor pro-tem, a matter postponed from January’s meeting (when it normally occurs each year), Mayor John Ramay said he would like Ward 1 Councilman Dywane Johnson to continue serving in the role. Before a vote was taken, Ward 3 Councilman Chris Jones remarked, “I’m politicking to be the mayor pro-tem as well.”
When no one made a motion to nominate Jones, he made the motion himself, but it failed for lack of a second. Jones then moved to nominate Johnson instead, with Ward 2 Councilwoman Elizabeth Oliver seconding. The vote for Johnson was unanimous.
In other business, the council voted unanimously to reappoint Ken W. Smith as municipal court judge. Members also approved Fire and Rescue Chief Charles Wasdin’s attendance at the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs and the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs Joint Leadership Conference in Savannah, June 2–4. Thompson further reported that the city had applied for a OneGeorgia Hurricane Disaster Recovery Award of $626,768, and the council authorized her to handle documentation related to the grant.
Thompson then presented bids for the erosion project at Hazlehurst Municipal Airport: McLendon Enterprises of Vidalia at $169,140; P&G Excavating LLC of Hazlehurst at $94,717.40; and Southeast Land Clearing of Hazlehurst at $75,350. With warnings that the airport could face closure if the work is not completed, the council voted to accept the low bid from Southeast Land Clearing, to be paid through SPLOST funds.
Thompson also announced that Marva McIver Reed is organizing a public Easter egg hunt at Mary Frazier McLean Community Park on April 4 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
During discussion of water and sewer adjustments, Councilman Chavis noted “huge adjustments” on last month’s report, some as high as $4,000 or $5,000.
Since Mayor Ramay currently makes those decisions, Chavis suggested that any person or business with an adjustment that large should come before the council to explain their situation. The council agreed to revisit and set a threshold limit at a future meeting. They then approved all water and sewer adjustments as reported, along with the monthly departmental reports and check registers.
During the Citizens’ Comments portion of the meeting, Janet Corcoran of Voices of Hazlehurst Animal Shelter read a impassioned letter urging closer collaboration between the shelter and the city. Mae Sellers, a local animal advocate, also spoke on behalf of the shelter.
Hazlehurst Police Officer David Moore addressed the council as well. A U.S. Army veteran who served 16 years and fought in Beirut and Kuwait, Moore pointed out that, according to military protocol, the American flag in the room was incorrectly positioned. He requested that it be moved back to its proper place. Thompson explained that the flag had been relocated not out of disrespect, but to accommodate a councilman with disabilities. Moore also mentioned that officers’ pay needs to be increased.
During Mayor and Council Comments, Johnson said he would like to bring classes and groups from other municipalities across the state to Hazlehurst to spotlight the city. Thompson said she would work with the Georgia Municipal Association, which arranges those training sessions, to make that happen.
The council later met in a closed session lasting nearly an hour to discuss personnel matters before returning to regular session, where no action was taken.