Jason Boyles

The meeting included a proclamation designating the third week of March 2026 as Government Finance Professionals Week and recognizing the finance staff for their contributions. A retirement award was presented to a fire department captain after 25 years of service. The council approved a variance request for a hotel property on Woodford Lane and considered another variance application for a hotel on Eddie Rushing Road.

The meeting included a presentation announcing that the Statesboro Fire Department achieved an ISO Class 1 rating. The audit results for the city's fiscal year 2025 were presented, confirming the city's strong financial condition. The council approved the consent agenda, which included the disposal of surplus equipment. Additionally, the council conducted public hearings for two rezoning applications: RZ 26-03-01 on East Olive Street, which was discussed for a duplex project, and RZ 26-03-03 on Park Avenue, which concerned the conversion of a single-family house into a multi-family dwelling, an application for which staff recommended denial.

The council meeting included proclamations recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, with advocacy organizations in attendance. Council members approved the appointment of new voting delegates to the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia. Additionally, the council approved a development agreement for infrastructure improvements using tax allocation district funds, a contract amendment for professional engineering services for a stream restoration project, and authorized a design services contract for city hall renovations. The council also awarded contracts for brick and window refurbishment at an arts center and for the construction of an access road at Fire Station 3.

The meeting agenda included reports from the City of Statesboro and various subcommittees covering topics such as equity metrics, training, the Longest Table initiative, violence prevention, workforce development, and community gardens.

The council discussed several administrative and development projects, including the appointment of voting delegates for the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia, approval of a development agreement for private infrastructure in the South Main Tax Allocation District, and several contract amendments and awards for city projects such as the Averitt Arts Center renovation, fire station access road construction, and the purchase of a new vehicle for the Stormwater Division. Additionally, the council heard reports regarding a proposed legislative bill limiting property tax increases and discussed future planning for community infrastructure and public events.