Perry Council candidates speak – Robert Jones (I)

A spot on Perry City Council will be up for grabs in the upcoming November elections. The position of District 2, Post 1 Councilman will be decided at the polls in just a few weeks. Robert Jones, incumbent, is being challenged by Retired Major William “Bill” Phelps, who recently retired from the Perry Police Department.

Currently holding the seat of Perry City Council District 2, post 1 is Councilman Robert Jones. Robert Jones is a native of Perry, Georgia and an educator at The Westfield School. Additionally, he now serves as the Youth Pastor and Senior Interim Pastor at Grace Church. Robert Jones received his master’s degree in the study of International Relations and he is currently working on his doctorate in the field of Public Policy.

“I want to see a continuation of policies that enhance life, work and play in Perry,” Jones shared as he talked with The Journal about his bid for reelection. “I would like to continue the development of parks and sidewalks as well. Overall, I am very excited going forward,” he added. “Perry has always been a safe city to raise a family, so I want to continue the funding of our public safety departments, and I will continue to enhance downtown development in Perry. With events like Oktoberfest and Food Truck Fridays, I want to continue to provide forums for the businesses in my community,” said Councilman Jones.

Perry has been growing at an enormous rate, but recently, its city council has been looking to control that exact growth. Jones mentioned, “I want to do my part and manage the growth of Perry in a responsible and strategic manner. Council and myself do not want Perry to grow too much, too fast.”

Jones is currently working with developers to propose a new subdivision to have green space and pocket parks. Reducing service area, water and sewage will bring growth to Perry. “There’s always room for improvement in Perry,” Jones admitted. “Nevertheless, I am proud to serve on a transparent council and I will continue to make aware to the public, where taxpayer dollars are being spent.”

The City of Perry publishes an annual city report, which is available to any member of the public. In the most recent report, it is documented that Perry collected $7,451,432 in property taxes. Of the property tax amount, 55.6%, which is $4,139,856, will fund the Perry Police Department; 17.9% of property tax amount, which is $1,333,607, will fund the Perry Fire Department; 14.4 % of the property tax amount, which is $1,073,132, will fund debt services on items that include police, fire and public works vehicles. The 14.4% will also fund the purchases of both, Pine Needle Park and Heritage Oaks Park. Additionally, 9.9% of the property taxes, which is $738,701 will fund the Perry Department of Public Works and 2.2% of the property taxes, which is $166,136 will fund the Houston County E-911 Center.

As a final statement, Robert Jones shared, “I am proud to continue outreach in the community, and I am proud to be a part of a council that uses our tax dollars to put public safety as our number one priority in the city of Perry.”

General elections for the city of Perry will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021. If a runoff becomes necessary, that will be held on Tuesday, November 30, 2021.

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