Gray’s City Council members unanimously voted to roll back the city’s millage rate last week, which was the first reduction in the rate since 2009.
The Oct. 6 meeting was called to order by Mayor Ed Barbee. The adoption of the tax rate was the first item of new business on the agenda. The motion to approve the 2025 tax rate of 8.436 mills was made by Councilman Terrell Fulford.
The gross millage rate began at 12.77 and included a 4.334 roll back. The 2024 tax rate was 9.5 mills, so the new rate of 8.436 is a reduction of 1.064 mills. Council also adopted the city’s 2026 budget in the amount of $3,340,681.
In his mayor’s report, Barbee announced that Early Voting for the city’s Nov. 4 election would begin Oct. 14.
Council members approved alcohol consumption at the Oct. 17 Fall festival and awarded a bid to Houston Asphalt Paving and Sealing in the amount of $78,096 for 2025 LMIG projects. The bids were opened at the Sept. 15 committee meeting by City Superintendent Cheyenne Morgan.
At that time Morgan stated he would make sure all bids were complete and bring his recommendation to the council meeting.
Barbee was authorized by a vote of council members to sign a letter requesting the assistance of the Middle Georgia Regional Commission with a grant application for sidewalks. The grant is through the Transportation Alternatives Program.
The final action at the meeting was a resolution to approve the execution of a purchasing and servicing agreement with Axon Enterprises for a 60-month taser and hardware equipment program in the amount of $65,484. Both motions were approved unanimously.
At the conclusion of the business on the agenda, the mayor opened the floor to comments.
Sherry Gordon, chairman of the Jones County Republican Party, gave an open invitation to a Pizza and Politics event to be held at Ranchers Oct. 15. Gordon said Commissioner Sam Kitchens would be speaking about the importance of the renewal of the one-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax that will be on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Councilman David Tuffs stated he had spoken with the family of the late Councilman Benny Gray about the renaming of a street in his honor. Tuffs said the street dedication would take place Oct. 22 or Oct. 29 between 1 and 2 p.m. The exact date and time are to be announced soon.
