The Hazlehurst City Council addressed several significant issues during its Thursday, October 15, meeting, including questions surrounding a proposed property tax increase, a road improvement project, the continued closure of the city’s animal shelter, and ongoing insurance challenges related to storm-damaged municipal buildings.
The meeting also included decisions concerning the annual Christmas parade, equipment purchases, a proposed animal rescue coordinator, and the city’s participation in a committee examining potential data center development.
One of the evening’s most significant discussions centered on whether the city should proceed with its proposed increase in the property tax rate from six mills to seven mills. During a called meeting on October 13, council members approved a budget amendment allocating a projected $140,444 in additional property tax revenue associated with the proposed seven-mill rate.
However, during Thursday’s regular meeting, Councilman Chris Jones questioned whether the city could reconsider that increase before final adoption. Jones recalled that the city previously reduced its millage rate from eight mills to six mills following storm-related hardships and suggested that officials should carefully evaluate whether an increase is necessary.
He asked the city attorney what steps would be required if council members decided to maintain the existing six-mill rate rather than proceed with the proposed increase. The attorney explained that the city charter requires the millage rate to be established by ordinance. He said he would need to investigate the implications of changing the proposed rate after related paperwork had already been submitted.
City officials also cautioned that delays in setting the millage rate could postpone the mailing of property tax bills, affecting the timing of city revenue collections. Vernice Thompson, City Clerk emphasized that the additional $140,444 is projected revenue, not guaranteed collections, because actual revenue depends on taxpayers paying their bills. Council members agreed that further consideration and professional guidance would be appropriate before making a final decision.
The seven-mill ordinance received its first reading during Thursday’s meeting. The council did not vote to abandon the proposed increase or formally adopt the new rate at that meeting.
The council approved a $278,255.90 contract with East Coast Asphalt LLC for improvements along South Cromartie Street, also referred to during the meeting as Bell Telephone Road. The project involves resurfacing and widening portions of the roadway, with work extending from the traffic signal area toward the city limits.
City officials explained that the project is funded through state-supported local road improvement programs. Unlike a standard resurfacing project, the additional widening work could extend construction to approximately 60 days once work begins.
Officials indicated that the contracting process could take approximately one to two months before construction starts. Potential traffic disruptions, particularly involving commercial trucks, were discussed. City officials said appropriate signage and traffic coordination would be addressed as the project moves forward.
The continued closure of the Hazlehurst animal shelter prompted an extended discussion during the public comment portion of the meeting. A resident involved in animal rescue efforts questioned city officials about the shelter’s reopening timeline and requested greater transparency regarding the work needed to return the facility to operation.
She stated that the shelter had been closed for 55 days under its current stop order and said local rescue organizations have continued receiving requests for assistance involving dogs within the city limits. According to the resident, rescue groups had received 41 emails or messages concerning dogs in the city over the preceding 30 days.
City officials acknowledged the concerns but said they could not provide a definite reopening date. The mayor explained that storm-related damage, insurance negotiations, and funding limitations continue to complicate repairs.
Another resident described concerns about stray dogs in her neighborhood and asked how the city would respond if an animal posed a public safety risk. Officials discussed plans to establish a temporary isolation area for animals requiring quarantine while the broader shelter situation remains unresolved.
Councilman Jones also discussed improving communication between the police department, animal rescue volunteers, and organizations that assist with animal placement.
Rather than immediately appointing a rescue coordinator, the council approved establishing a committee chaired by Jones to examine the proposed position, determine responsibilities, and make recommendations. The police department would retain responsibility for enforcement and official animal shelter records.
The animal shelter discussion expanded into a broader explanation of the city’s ongoing difficulties recovering insurance funds for municipal property damaged by storms. The city clerk told those attending that numerous city facilities remain affected, including City Hall, the police department, the airport, and other public buildings.
She said the city had received an initial insurance payment of approximately $1.9 million, but the total damage and repair needs extend far beyond that amount. According to figures presented during the meeting, the city has submitted approximately $12.3 million in claims, with a reported insurance coverage cap of $17 million. The clerk also said damage associated with the airport exceeds $7 million.
Thompson explained that the city hired a public adjuster to assist with the claims process and that insurance and legal reviews remain ongoing. Officials emphasized that the uncertainty surrounding those claims makes it difficult to establish firm construction and reopening schedules for affected facilities.
Residents urged city leaders to provide more frequent public updates, even when there is no major change in the status of repairs.
The council approved the 2026 Hazlehurst Christmas Parade for Monday, December 7, at 7 p.m.
Representatives of the Chamber of Commerce proposed an alternative parade route intended to avoid crossing railroad tracks, citing concerns about potential train delays and public safety. However, following discussion, council members voted to retain the same route used for the previous year’s parade.
Officials also discussed the importance of preventing children from entering the roadway to retrieve candy. Chamber representatives reiterated that candy may be distributed by individuals walking alongside parade entries, but it should not be thrown from vehicles.
The council postponed appointing a representative to a committee studying potential data center development until November, following the Ward Four election.
During the discussion, officials emphasized that participation on the committee should not be interpreted as the city’s endorsement of or opposition to a proposed data center.
A representative associated with the development authority explained that Jeff Davis County has established a 12-month moratorium and that the committee is working toward preparing recommendations before the moratorium expires. The committee expects to begin meeting in November, with meetings open to the public.
Council members approved five-year lease-purchase agreements through Caterpillar Financial Services for two pieces of equipment intended for city operations. The purchases include a Caterpillar 308 excavator for public works and a Caterpillar 420 backhoe loader for the water department.
The equipment carries stated sales prices of approximately $146,000 and $152,794, respectively. Officials explained that annual payments would be made through Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds rather than the city’s general fund.
The equipment is expected to support street maintenance, drainage work, water system repairs, and other municipal projects.
During the work session, city officials discussed a substantial proposed increase in employee health insurance costs. Thompson reported that current annual employee health insurance expenditures total approximately $632,198.
A renewal quote presented through the Georgia Municipal Association reflected a reported 57% increase, creating concerns about the city’s ability to maintain existing coverage arrangements without significantly higher costs.
Officials are exploring alternatives, including an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement, commonly called an ICHRA, which would allow the city to contribute toward qualifying individual health insurance plans. No final decision on employee insurance was made during the meeting.
The council approved an updated joint comprehensive plan developed in coordination with Jeff Davis County and the City of Denton. The plan, titled Steamboats to Semis: Rooted in Heritage, Driven for Development, will serve as a guide for future growth, community development, and long-term planning.
The updated document replaces the previous comprehensive plan adopted in 2021. Council members encouraged residents to review the plan and become involved in discussions about the community’s future.
The council also conducted the first reading of a proposed ethics ordinance addressing matters such as conflicts of interest, ethics complaints, and procedures for handling alleged violations. The ordinance was not adopted during the meeting.
Representatives of Good Shepherd Catholic Church requested permission for a December 12 procession honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, along with consideration of holding a religious service at the city cemetery in November. Officials discussed routes, traffic safety, parking, and cemetery restrictions.
The council also received routine departmental reports and discussed scheduling adjustments for upcoming meetings.
Several major matters remain unresolved, including final adoption of the city’s property tax rate, the reopening of the animal shelter, completion of storm-damaged municipal building repairs, and the city’s representation on the data center committee.
Those issues are expected to remain important topics as city officials continue working through budget decisions, infrastructure needs, and public concerns in the coming weeks.
Hazlehurst Now will take a closer look Tuesday at the ongoing animal shelter closure, residents’ concerns, and the city’s multimillion-dollar storm damage insurance claims.
