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Valdosta council approves construction-board changes, calls special election and signs off on multiple contracts
Summary
At its March 12 meeting the Valdosta Mayor and Council approved an ordinance creating a city-only Construction Board of Appeals, called a special election for the vacant District 4 seat, and approved several construction and repair contracts and water-safety rules.
Valdosta’s Mayor and Council unanimously approved a package of administrative and procurement items at their March 12, 2026 meeting, including an ordinance to establish a city-only Construction Board of Appeals, a resolution to call a special election for the vacant District 4 seat, and multiple contract awards.
The council adopted amendments to the Land Development Regulations and Appendix J that convert the current construction board of appeals (previously shared with the county) into a Valdosta Construction Board of Appeals with five regular members and two alternates, Planning Director Matt Martin said. The change aligns the city’s language with the model ordinance in the International Construction Code and is intended to simplify membership and appointment procedures. "The end result will be a Valdosta construction board of appeals with five regular members, two alternate members," Martin said. Council moved and approved the ordinance by show of hands.
City Attorney Tim Tanner told the council that Councilman Howard’s recent qualifying for the State House created a vacancy under the Georgia Constitution and city charter section 3.22. Tanner said the qualifying period for the special election will open Monday, Aug. 17 and run through Friday, Aug. 21, with the election to take place on the November general-election date. Council approved the resolution to call the special election.
On procurement, Motorpool Superintendent John Burton recommended awarding the low sealed bid for an addition to the Maintenance Center to JH Strickland Construction in the amount of $327,354.65; council approved the award. Finance Director Darquita Williams recommended awarding roof-repair contracts (City Hall Annex, City Hall and Department of Labor) to Trim Co Roofing at the low bid of $687,000; the council approved that award. Williams also presented bids for first-floor structural repairs to City Hall; she recommended the low bidder for structural work (Gordian) and paint/prep to PNG Painting and Repair for $10,633. The structural-contract amount reported in the transcript was unclear and is not specified here.
Each motion on the agenda was moved and seconded and approved by a show of hands or acclamation; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally by name.
The council adjourned after public comment and the city manager’s report.
