COVID concern expressed during Perry meeting

It was the evening of Tuesday, September 8, the Perry Mayor and Council met for its first bi-weekly pre-council and council meeting of September. Both meetings took place at the Perry Events Center.

Before the official meeting even began, the focus was COVID-19 and the rise of cases in the city of Perry at large. In hopes of curbing the numbers and increase awareness of public health and safety, City of Perry recently enforced a mandatory mask mandate effective through September 22.

First on the council’s agenda, Mayor Randall Walker began the meeting with a call-to-order. Several items were presented at the meeting. An ordinance for the annexation of property to the City of Perry, as well as the zoning and rezoning of property were among those items presented. A bid for the construction of sidewalks on Houston Lake Drive and the realignment of Main Street were awarded as well.

“We have made a resolution in establishing the 2021 Ad Valorem Millage Rate for the City of Perry,” announced City Manager Lee Gilmour. City developers presented designs for several new city projects, costing up to three and a half million dollars.

Among the developing city projects are the new city hall buildings, which will employ a new construction manager. Councilman Daryll Albritton said, “If costs go up while working on the new city hall, we will exceed the original budget, and having a construction manager will cause the city project to get cut instead of building everything that was agreed upon.”

His remarks sparked some interesting conversation, but the council continued to move through the meeting without very much delay. Superintendent of Houston County Schools Dr. Mark Scott recently, requested the annexation and zoning of Langston Road Elementary School into Perry city limits. This item will have to succeed two more council meetings before passing completely.

On another note, resolutions were introduced and passed unanimously in efforts to clean up the city. “We know growth & change is coming and it’s important we stay ahead of the curve,” said Mayor Walker.

Gilmour commented, “We just anticipate that growth will accelerate in Perry.”

After a few short council and staff items, the meeting was adjourned. Perry Mayor and Council meets in regular session on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6:00 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 21.

A few items that were discussed during the September 8 session will be back up for discussion in the meeting. The public is welcome to attend.

HHJ News