The regular meeting of the Swainsboro Mayor and City Council was held Monday evening, November 2, at 6 p.m. at Swainsboro Fire Department Headquarters. Following the call to order, an invocation by Pastor Karen Jones and the Pledge of Allegiance, the minutes of the prior meeting were presented and approved. In the public comments section of the meeting, several speakers addressed the council. Rita Faulkner once again questioned progress at Gerald Phillips Park concerning the removal of adjacent derelict buildings. City Administrator Herman Middlebrooks responded that progress had not been made due to delays on the part of the owner of the property in question. John David Bailey addressed council with concerns about delays in updating the city web site. Bailey also brought up congestion in downtown areas caused by semi-trucks not using the bypass. Bailey also commented on delays and traffic direction at the intersection of West Main and Kite Road. Larry Sherrod spoke to council on the possibility of using the Vann Community House for fellowship. Next, Julia Carswell addressed council on the possibility of establishing a Boys and Girls Club as well as homeless shelters in Swainsboro and construction or repair of area sidewalks.
The first item under new business for council was the consideration of the 2027 budget. Middlebrooks discussed various topics yet to be resolved and consequently no action was taken. Next, council discussed the 2027 Martin Luther King observance and parade and unanimously agreed on parade route requests. Next Chief Ashley Riner addressed council on the need for dashcam equipment for police cars at a cost of $41,951 for seven cameras. The motion was unanimously approved. Expenses for the water/wastewater operations comprised the discussion for the next three agenda items including Well 6, Lift Station 9, and further consideration of Wilson Electric Motor and Pump repairs. All three items totaled $50,068. Next under new business was the consideration of a Community Development Block Grant for a project in the King Circle street area and an associated language access plan for translator services. An estimated cost of $805,216 for completion of the project services was given. Council voted unanimously to accept. Next council considered a budget amendment to be enacted to provide for partial payment toward the remaining debt on the purchase of the City Administrative Building (formerly the Spivey Bank building). The amendment allows for $100,000 from contingency funds and $100,000 from the water wastewater revenue account to be applied toward the balance owed. The next item of business was an update from Jerry Cadle on progress status at the airport. The final issue of the meeting was brought by councilman Julian Sconyers and addressed the issue of city credit cards. Sconyers expressed his concern over the use and administration of policy regarding these government audited cards and requested that a special committee be formed to provide oversight in this area. No action was taken on Sconyers’ request. Mayor Brown’s only comment was that a committee would be formed.
