Perry council approves five-year strategic plan

PERRY, Ga. — Perry mayor and council discussed and unanimously approved the 2023-2027 City Strategic Plan at their meeting on Tuesday evening. The plan itself was an effort facilitated by the Middle Georgia Regional Commission.

“I would look at this document as your road map for the next five years,” Assistant City Manager Robert Smith said. “We think that what is codified in this plan is essentially a representative of your vision for the city and how we would work towards that vision over the next five years.”

Robin Jackson, a Perry resident, came forward asking for a status update on the sewer upgrades in progress on Houston Lake Drive. City Manager Lee Gilmour provided some insight and a timeframe for completion, apologizing to residents of that area.

“This project originally started as a sewer line failure, and there was a large sinkhole,” Gilmour said. “And when we had gone in to repair one section, because of the age of the pipes and everything, it just got worse and worse — and they kept having to go further and further back.”

In addition to this, the sewer line is located around 18 feet below the street surface, and this required the large equipment to be brought out to complete the project. Gilmour said there had to be some relocation of water lines and some gas main adjustments, as well.

“We are anticipating that project should be done by around April 15 or certainly by the end of April, as long as we don’t have major weather like today,” he added.

Assistant City Manager Smith brought forward a resolution to establish the Perry Youth Advisory Council.

“It has always been a primary goal of you all [council] as an elected body to communicate effectively with your citizens and constituents,” Smith said. “It is our understanding that invoking a youth advisory council, you’d be able to better communicate with that demographic.”

The Youth Advisory Council would be comprised of seven youth from the community, including two from Perry High School, two from Veterans High, two from The Westfield School along with one at-large member. Smith said this type of council has proven beneficial to other communities across the state.

The resolution was approved unanimously.

Senior Communications Administrator Tabitha Clark recognized the 11 graduates of Perry University, a program offering classes on community leadership, economic development, essential services, quality of life and public safety.

“The goal of Perry University is to give Perry residents and business owners the opportunity to learn more about their local government and how to be an active and engaged community member,” Clark said. “So since February, 11 participants went through a five-week course that gave them a behind-the-scenes look at what and who makes Perry a vibrant community.”

The next council work session will take place on April 18 at 5 p.m. The council meetings will take place the following day at 5 p.m. then 6 p.m.

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