Council approves 5-year contract with Clearwater

The regular meeting of the Swainsboro City Council and Mayor was held at Swainsboro City Hall Monday night, July 7, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. and opened with an invocation from Bishop Harvey Rackins of the Bethlehem Temple Worship Center. Following the Pledge of Allegiance newly elected Councilperson Lafonda Hackett Kelly was sworn in by Probate/Magistrate Judge Chase Sherrod.

The minutes of the June 9, 2025, meeting and the special meeting of June 12, 2025, were presented and approved.

Under old business, council reviewed a 5-year contract proposal from Clearwater Solutions for management of water, wastewater, public works, streets and right of ways and maintenance shop. The proposal includes a 3% increase in the contract fee amount at the third and fifth year with an “opt out” provision and negotiated settlement clause. There was no discussion of any other company proposals being considered. Councilmember Julian Sconyers made a motion to accept the contract, and it was approved 6-0. Of note is the fact that this vote saw participation of a full council for the first time in many months with newly elected Councilperson Lafonda Hackett Kelly representing District 1.

The next item of discussion was the consideration of additional vehicles for the Fire Department. This agenda issue listed under old business, again returned to the table and again resulted in wide-ranging comment as to the need and the justification for the added expense. Following extended discussion, a motion to lease a Chevrolet Trax was made by Councilmember Stafford and seconded by Councilmember Sconyers. The motion was defeated. It was suggested by Mayor Bennett that the issue be postponed, but no action was voted on or otherwise taken.

Moving to new business, the council heard a presentation on the 2024 City Audit. Following a detailed presentation by the firm of Lanier, Deal & Deal, no deficiencies were cited by the auditors with a net gain in water and wastewater revenues. A remaining balance was cited in SPLOST funds balance as well as a remaining balance in federally funded ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) from previous covid relief grants.

The next item on the agenda was the presentation of the Wastewater Gold Award by the Georgia Wastewater Association. This is the third year that Clearwater Solutions has won this award for its service to the city.

Next, council heard of the continuing need for the extended rental of a heavy-duty front-end loader for residual clean-up of Hurricane Helene damage. Motion was made and approved for continuing the rental of necessary equipment through the end of July. Notice will also be given that hurricane debris pick up by the City of Swainsboro will conclude on July 31, 2025.

The next item for discussion was changes to Victory Drive. This was postponed.

Finally, additional committee appointments for new council members Kelly and Rodriguez were made. Both council members were appointed to the airport committee. At this point, council exhausted the agenda and voted to move into closed session for discussion of pending litigation and property negotiations.

In executive session, Council approved the sale of the following properties owned by the city:

S23004 332 Lucky Street; S23109D Pughsley Street; S23053 337 Flanders Street; S24011 317 Lucky Street; S23087 303 Pughsley Street; S07037 Turner Drive; S18006 E Mill Street; 095A186 King Circle Drive; S37027A Poplar Street; S17042 N Main Street; and the lot beside the recently purchased Spivey State Bank building. South Auction will handle the sale of these properties.