The Douglas City Commission heard the second reading of an ordinance that addresses parking semi-trucks on city streets. Following the second reading, the commission approved the ordinance. According to the ordinance, the parking of commercial trucks is prohibited on residential streets or residential areas of the city. The ordinance also includes trucks having more than six wheels instead of only trucks having more than 10 wheels. The official ordinance states that owners or drivers of bobtail trucks who live within the city limits may be park their trucks on their own property if they can be parked completely off of the city road. They also must be able to do so without damaging sidewalks, curbs, or any city property and will be liable for those damages. The only maintenance allowed on trucks parked in the city limits will be washing of the trucks. No radio systems are allowed to be playing in the trucks while parked within the city limits.
An ordinance prohibiting personal wells within city limits was read a second time at this meeting as well. Commissioners approved the ordinance.
The City of Douglas has advertised a tax digest going back five years as well as a notice of public hearing on the matter earlier this month. The ordinance for a rollback of the millage rate was read at the last city commission meeting and once more at this meeting. After no objections were made at the public hearing, the commission moved to approve the millage rollback by .013 mills. The net millage rate is now at 7.497 mills for the city which when combined with the required one mill for the Industrial Authority totals 8.497 mills. The commissioners stressed this is a slight tax decrease, not a tax increase.
Deputy Chief of Police Brannen Pruitt requested approval for the purchase of a 2014 Dodge Ram 2500 truck for the Joint Drug Task Force. The truck is an off-lease vehicle purchase leased by the City of Cairo and is valued higher than the asking price of $28,000 as well as having valuable features including a 40 gallon fuel capacity. Commissioners approved the request and the truck will be acquired with funds from the Asset Forfeiture Account.
City of Douglas Director of Public Information Georgia Henderson announced on Monday that the theme for the upcoming annual Christmas Parade will be “Santa’s Workshop.” Registration for the parade begins next week. Those interested in having a float in the parade can register at the Public Works building in town or online.
The Hometown Harvest Festival is a free event open to the public where candy will be given out as well as information about vendors and sponsors. Any vendors interested in setting up booths for the event can contact or for more information call Douglas Main Street at 912-384-5161. The event takes place Oct. 29 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The city also announced that the Outdoor Expo was a huge success and garnered great support from the community. Over 3,000 people attended at the Expo and the City of Douglas thanks the citizens for helping to make the Outdoor Expo such an exciting event.
There will be another Junk Drop Off event on Bryan Street on Sept. 19.
City Commissioners and Mayor James Dennis extended their condolences to Police Chief Gary Casteloes of the Douglas Police Department and his family as his father passed away unexpectedly Monday afternoon.
Commissioners are also keeping Commissioner Olivia Pearson in their thoughts and prayers as she is recovering from a surgery. She has missed two consecutive meetings due to illness but is expected to be at the next Commissioner meeting in September.