Statesboro council approves subdivision, purchasing updates, budget amendment and multiple contracts

Statesboro City Council approved a slate of routine land-use, purchasing and budget items at its Dec. 16 meeting, including a preliminary subdivision recombination to enable duplex development, updates to the city’s purchasing policy, and a first amendment to the FY2026 budget.

Justin, a city staff presenter, summarized a preliminary subdivision plan (application 25-11-01) for property on Cindy (Sandy) Lane and Beasley Road and said staff recommended approval. The plan would recombine and subdivide roughly 3.89 acres in an R-3 zoning district to allow duplexes; Justin noted the planning commission recommended the request 7–0 and cautioned that preliminary approval does not grant construction rights until required permits and construction approvals are completed. The council discussed tree-planting requirements and a planned water-retention area, and then voted to approve the preliminary subdivision plan.

Council also approved a second reading of updates to the city’s purchasing policy and corresponding amendments to the uniform purchasing manual, moving ordinance language into a policy format. A council member described the changes as administrative and recommended the second reading so the ordinance could become law.

On finance, the council adopted Resolution 2025-34, the first amendment to the FY2026 budget, to carry forward completed capital improvement plan items and to pro-rate revenues and expenditures. Councilmembers also noted an additional $50,000 included to provide utility-assistance funds previously approved at the last meeting.

Transportation and capital work approved at the meeting included acceptance of a Georgia DOT Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant of $415,000 and referenced about $1,000,000 in related local funding to resurface several roads. Council approved a $60,440 change order for the East Main drainage and sidewalk project to bring work in line with completed capital improvements.

The council awarded several procurement contracts and purchases: roofing repairs to Saul’s Roofing (roof work for Joe Brandon Hall and a water pump building; amounts cited in staff remarks included $29,942.92 from water/sewer operating revenues and $69,624.50 from central services), purchase of a 2025 Ford F-150 SuperCrew XL for $41,868.72 from JC Lewis Ford for the public utilities department (CIP item WTP-4), and an award to Watering Solutions, Inc. for two 6-inch diesel backup pumps for $113,683 (with an additional 6% noted in staff remarks) to be purchased from FY2026 capital funds. Council also approved extending the date for the South Main Street project right-of-way work to keep the project active with GDOT amid ongoing railroad coordination concerns.

In other business, staff reported two donated Hyundai vehicles had been added to the city fleet (one assigned to public works, one to the motor pool) and said a charging station will be needed. City Manager Cummings also detailed the city’s toy-drive schedule: packet pickup Friday and a public giveaway on Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., with donated toys and some gift cards for families in need.

Most items on the agenda were approved on motions that were seconded and passed by voice vote; where staff provided numbers or conditions, those were recorded in the meeting (planning commission 7–0 recommendation, preliminary plan condition that construction approvals are still required, and line-item amounts listed above). At the end of the meeting the council considered a motion to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters under O.C.G.A. 50-14-3.