Waycross has an updated handbook for city employees for the first time since 2019 following action last week by the City Commission.
Commissioners passed a resolution approving amendments to the workforce guidelines during their bi-monthly meeting Tuesday, January 21. The changes provide clarification and updates to multiple sections of the handbook to bring it into compliance with the City Charter and Georgia law.
The measure was one of five the commission approved during the short session in City Hall. Another approved a new contract for City Manager Ulysses “Duke” Rayford while two others covered expenditures for vehicles for the Waycross Police Department. The fifth surplussed fire hoses to be sold to the highest bidder.
Commissioners also recognized Fire Department Driver/Engineer Scott Raulerson as City Employee of the Year. Raulerson, who joined the department in July 2019, was selected from the dozen monthly honorees during 2024. He earned the November citation.
Mayor Michael-Angelo James conducted the meeting with all commissioners except Diane Hopkins attending. The business meeting was immediately preceded by a planning and information session during which they set public hearings on the city’s homestead exemption. Resolutions
The changes in the handbook passed 3-1 with Commissioners Shawn Roberts, Sheinita Bennett and Alvin Nelson in favor and Katrena Felder against.
The resolution made changes in 21 sections of the document including the addition of a defined credit card policy, change in the travel and training policy and telework.
Other changes addressed the city’s leave and compensation policies as well as raising the maximum leave time accrual level. It also designated full-time employees at 30 hours.
The position of the City Attorney was added to the list of appointed employees.
Rayford’s new contract was approved 3-1 with Commissioners Roberts, Bennett and Nelson in favor and Felder against.
There are two significant changes in the new pact. The contract length has been increased from one to three years and the monthly vehicle allowance hiked from $225 to $500. Rayford said he sought no increase in his $110,000 annual salary but did request the greater vehicle allowance.
The WPD-related resolutions approved financing for six Dodge Durangos and the necessary equipment for patrol readiness. Financing is 4.95 percent with Leasing Specialist, LLC of Peyton, Colo. for the purchase price of $271,164 with monthly payments of $5,090 for 60 months.
Equipment for the SUVs totaled $49,219 to be paid to Mobile Communications America of Waycross from the department’s equipment fund.
The final resolution moved a dozen hoses deemed no longer in compliance for use to surplus to be sold on govdeals.com. Purchasing Director Mamie Jackson said many times hoses are purchased to transport water for irrigation purposes, some ending up in drought-stricken countries overseas.
Employee of Year
Raulerson was 18 when he joined the city as a firefighter. He was promoted to his current rank in May, 2021.
Interim Fire Chief Jim Blackburn introduced Raulerson, saying the honoree was a proficient operator of all the department’s equipment and takes great care in seeing it’s in peak working order when he begins his shift.
“Scott clocks in and goes immediately to the apparatus he’s assigned,” Blackburn said. “If he relieves someone in the middle of the day, he does the same thing.
“Something that makes me extremely proud is his pride in the job.”
Blackburn said Raulerson trains recruits on equipment and also is a life safety educator.
Retired Fire Chief David Eddins said of Raulerson when he was cited for the monthly award in November: “He’s an asset to our community and an individual we need to make sure we keep in our fire department,” the chief said. “He would probably tell you he’s not a leader, but he’s going to be something great as he progresses (in his career).”
Public hearings
Commissioners reached a consensus on opting out of the statewide adjusted base year ad valorem homestead exemption.
Three mandatory public hearings were set for 6 p.m. February 5, 12 and 19. The deadline to inform the state of the decision is March 1.
Ware County Tax Commissioner Roger Collins detailed the difference between the city’s current homestead exemption and that provided by the new legislation before his recommendation to opt out.
