Waycross meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Waycross City Commission Tackled Charter Amendments, Park Renaming, and Infrastructure Bids in Early July Meetings

The Waycross City Commission held three meetings in early July covering charter amendments, a park renaming, infrastructure emergency purchases, and a fourth-quarter budget review. All three sessions are listed as agenda-only — minutes have not yet been published, so formal outcomes and vote tallies are not yet confirmed in the public record.

Charter Amendments and Park Renaming (July 7)

The Commission's July 7 agenda included second readings of several ordinances. One would amend the city charter by deleting obsolete sections, including references to an Animal Control Board, firefighter selection procedures, and a health department reference. A separate charter amendment would revise Section 18(B), which governs when members of the public can address the Commission.

Another ordinance on the agenda would abandon and close a portion of an unopened street and alley in Block 82, running from Columbus Street to Garlington Avenue.

The Commission was also scheduled to consider renaming Newtown Community Park to J.B. Merritt Newtown Community Park.

The agenda included setting a public hearing for a map amendment, which would involve a zoning change, as well as votes on bids for surplus property and emergency purchases.

Infrastructure and Police Building Discussion (July 6)

A July 6 meeting was set for discussion and information only, with no formal decisions indicated on the agenda. Items listed for review included:

• A surplus property bid listed as WAYX 26-14
• Emergency purchase bids for a WWTP tubular roll
• Emergency purchase bids for the Kettle Creek lift station
• A proposed purchase of a police detective building
• A road ranking system
• The comprehensive plan

Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed which of these items advanced or what dollar amounts were discussed.

Fourth Quarter Budget Report (July 7)

A separate July 7 meeting was dedicated to the Fourth Quarter Budget Report, presented by the City Manager. The agenda listed opening ceremonies, the budget presentation, commissioner comments, and adjournment. No other business items were listed.

What Residents Should Know

Several of these items could affect daily life in Waycross if adopted: the park renaming would change a familiar community landmark's name, the street and alley closure in Block 82 could affect property access between Columbus Street and Garlington Avenue, and the charter amendment to Section 18(B) could change how and when residents speak at Commission meetings. The infrastructure bids for the wastewater treatment plant and Kettle Creek lift station relate to core city services.

However, because minutes from all three meetings remain unpublished, residents should treat the above as agenda items rather than confirmed actions. Official minutes, once posted, will record what was actually decided and how commissioners voted.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the City of Waycross website or contact City Hall for any newly scheduled sessions or public hearings, including the map amendment hearing referenced in the July 7 agenda.

Waycross Commission Tackles Infrastructure Purchases, Charter Cleanup, and Park Renaming

The Waycross City Commission held a series of meetings the week of July 6, 2026, covering infrastructure purchases, a quarterly budget report, charter amendments, a street closure, and a park renaming. All three meetings are listed as agenda-only — minutes have not yet been published — so formal outcomes and vote tallies are not yet confirmed in the available record.

Infrastructure and Property Items (July 6)

The Commission's July 6 meeting was scheduled for discussion and information, with no formal decisions indicated on the agenda. Items listed for review included:

• **WAYX 26-14 Surplus Property bid**
• **WWTP Tubular Roll** — listed under emergency purchasing
• **Kettle Creek Lift Station** — listed under emergency purchasing
• **Police Detective Building Purchase** — a proposed purchase discussed by the Commission
• **Road Ranking System**

The agenda also referenced the city's comprehensive plan. Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed whether any votes were taken or whether any bids or purchases were approved.

Fourth Quarter Budget Report (July 7)

A separate July 7 meeting was set for the City Manager to present the Fourth Quarter Budget Report. The agenda listed opening ceremonies, the budget presentation, commissioner comments, and adjournment. No other business items were listed. No dollar figures or budget details were included in the available agenda summary.

Ordinances and Public Hearing (July 7)

A second July 7 meeting included second readings of several ordinances and other action items:

• **Charter amendments** — One ordinance would delete numerous obsolete charter sections, including references to an Animal Control Board, firefighter selection, and a health department reference. A separate ordinance would amend charter section 18(B), which governs when persons can address the City Commission.
• **Street and alley closure** — An ordinance to abandon and close a portion of an unopened street and alley in Block 82, running from Columbus Street to Garlington Avenue.
• **Park renaming** — An ordinance to rename Newtown Community Park to **J.B. Merritt Newtown Community Park**.
• **Public hearing set** — The Commission was scheduled to set a public hearing for a map amendment, which the agenda describes as a zoning change.
• **Bids and emergency purchases** — The agenda included votes on bids for surplus property and emergency purchases.

The meeting also included approval of prior minutes and reports from the City Manager and Mayor.

All items above reflect what was scheduled on the agendas. With minutes not yet published, the available record does not confirm which ordinances passed, whether the public hearing date was set, or what bid amounts — if any — were approved.

What This Means for Residents

The infrastructure items — the WWTP tubular roll, Kettle Creek lift station, and police detective building purchase — involve city spending on facilities and equipment, though no dollar amounts were included in the available agenda summaries. The charter amendments would clean up outdated sections of city law and could change how residents address the Commission. The street closure in Block 82 and the park renaming would affect local landmarks. The zoning map amendment public hearing, if scheduled, would give residents a chance to weigh in on a land-use change.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days (July 13–27, 2026) in the available record. Residents should check the City of Waycross website or contact City Hall for any newly scheduled meetings or updates on the items above.