Perry Council amend purchasing policy, expand City Manager purchasing power

PERRY, Ga. — On Tuesday, March 7, Perry Council held their regular meeting, discussing a policy change to directly expand on the purchasing power of the City Manager’s Office. Council also decided on a special exception request, as well as equipment purchases and surpluses.

Finance Director Mitchell Worthington presented to Council a resolution that would amend the city’s purchasing policy.

This resolution, if approved, would add a definition for “professional services” to the city’s Code of Ordinances and would give the city manager authority to approve contracts for professional services, for projects previously approved by council. It would also raise the city manager’s current emergency purchasing authorization from $15,000 to $50,000, and permit the city manager to allow a change order up to $30,000. The current limit is $10,000.

Without any comments from Council on the matter, the item was approved unanimously.

During the Public Hearing portion of the meeting, Community Development Director Bryan Woods presented an application from BY Properties LLC, requesting a special exception to allow short-term residential rental at their property located at 317 Lee Street.

“Short-term rental” is often used to describe properties being used for an AirBnB or other vacation properties.

Wood explained that the home, a two-bedroom, one-bathroom house, would not exceed six guests at any given time. The property is within compliance of city standards for short-term rental properties.

Later in the meeting, Walker motioned for a vote on the special exemption.

Council approved it unanimously.

During Mayor and Council’s “Unfinished Business” portion of the meeting, Walker introduced a resolution that would authorize him to execute and deliver a “Lease Supplement” and other related documents affecting leased properties from the current fiscal year.

Finance Director Worthington described what the resolution would do.

“This resolution will give the mayor the authorization to sign the documents necessary to release the solid waste collection truck [that was] approved two meetings ago,” Worthington said. “The lease is in the amount of $121,000.”

Council had no questions when asked. Walker then motioned for a vote, approving the resolution unanimously.

Closing in on the end of their agenda, Council then moved to vote on a resolution declaring certain equipment surplus. This resolution outlined four vehicles that were to be sold. Council voted and approved the resolution unanimously.

The agenda and supporting documents for this meeting can be found at the city’s website, or by going to perry-ga.gov/escribe-agendas-minutes. Mayor and council’s meeting are typically scheduled on the first and third Tuesday of each month, exclusive of federally practiced holidays. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 21. Pre-council will begin at 5 p.m. at the Perry Event Center. The regular council meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the same building.

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