Mayor & Council Goals
Fiscal Year 2025
The following goals and action items were approved at the March 15-March 16 Mayor-Council Strategic Initiatives Summit (SIS)
Goals:
- A city that works for everyone
- An economy that prospers.
- A safe community that thrives.
- Spaces and places that inspire.
2024-2025 Action Items
1. Review and address the conditions of the road within the city limits based on PCI and identify funding sources including LMIG and others.
2. Review traffic calming and signage policies.
3. Continue to monitor progress of Barack Obama and Cypress Street projects.
4. Move forward on identifying water and sewage infrastructure improvement funding services.
5. Review alcohol ordinances.
6. Research salaries of cities similar to Valdosta by mid-April.
7. Develop an orientation checklist for newly elected officials.
Year 2024
The following goals and action items were approved at the March 31-April 1 Mayor-Council Strategic Initiatives Summit (SIS)
Goals:
- A city that works for everyone
- An economy that prospers.
- A safe community that thrives.
- Spaces and places that inspire.
2023-2024 Action Items
- Contact State Representatives to establish stricter regulations on landlords.
- Establish a Performing Arts Center committee.
- Collaborate with Valdosta High School/Alternative School through the Fire Department for targeting a Junior and Senior transitional program.
- Collaboration with Valdosta State University to help increase enrollment.
Year 2023
The following goals and action items were approved at the March 18-19 Mayor-Council Strategic Initiatives Summit (SIS)
Goals:
1. To continue reviewing the final regulations for ARPA funding to identify projects that need funding.
2. To continue to seek opportunities for public and private partnerships.
3. Continue to search for programs for youth development, such as youth work programs.
4. In Collaboration with the Valdosta Housing Authority, develop a plan to gain public and private support for mixed-used housing development.
5. Update Ethics Ordinance.
6. Continue to explore opportunities for a Performing Arts Center and review the results of the feasibility study for a convention center.
Action Items:
1. Continue to identify methods to eradicate or decrease substandard housing in Valdosta.
2. Proceed with the next phase of the Southside Redevelopment plan by acquiring properties, marketing to developers, and promoting the availability of the Federal Opportunity Zone, the State Opportunity Zone, and Military Opportunity Zone incentives.
3. Collaborate with the community and regional leaders to continue advocacy efforts on behalf of Moody Air Force Base to support its value to national defense and our community and seek opportunities for base growth and expansion in preparation for any potential future Base Realignment and Closure Commissions (BRAC).
4. Continue to operate the City in a fiscally responsible manner.
5. Conduct meetings with the County and neighboring cities to ensure mutual growth and collaborative planning.
6. Continue funding of city infrastructure projects to include roads and utilities.
Fiscal Year 2022
The following goals and action items were approved at the March 19-20 Mayor-Council Strategic Initiatives Summit (SIS).
Goals:
1. Proceed with the next phase of the Southside Redevelopment plan by acquiring properties, marketing to developers and promoting the availability of Federal Opportunity Zone, Enterprise Zone, State Opportunity Zone, and Military Opportunity Zone incentives.
2. Collaborate with the community and regional leaders to continue advocacy efforts on behalf of Moody Air Force Base and centralize efforts in support of its value national defense and our community and seek opportunities for base growth and expansion in preparation for any potential future Base Realignment and Closure Commissions (BRAC).
3. Continue to operate the City in a fiscally responsible manner.
4. Conduct meetings with the County and neighbor cities to ensure mutual growth and collaborative planning.
5. Continue funding of city infrastructure projects to include roads and utilities
Action Items:
1. In collaboration with the Valdosta Housing Authority, develop a plan to gain public and private support for a mixed-use housing development.
2. Update ordinance to reflect the transition to recycling drop sites including incentives to increase recycling along with the promotion and education of citizens.
3. Review and update Ethics Ordinance.
4. Continue to explore opportunities for a Performing Arts Center (VHS Property).
5. Complete process to lift alcohol moratorium and revise package store ordinance.
6. Present an Entertainment Ordinance for Downtown Valdosta to accommodate Special Event privileges.
Fiscal Year 2021
The following goals and action items were approved at the March 13-14 Mayor-Council Strategic Initiatives Summit (SIS).
Goals:
- Proceed with the next phase of the Southside Redevelopment plan by acquiring properties, marketing to developers and promoting the availability of Federal Opportunity Zone, State Opportunity Zone and Military Opportunity Zone incentives.
Collaborate with the community and regional leaders to continue advocacy efforts on behalf of Moody Air Force Base in support of its value to national defense and our community and seek opportunities for base growth and expansion in preparation for any potential future Base Realignment and Closure Commissions (BRAC)
- Hold joint meetings of the city elected officials and staff with school system and the VLDA to identify and encourage good life decisions for our youth and to help prepare them for the workforce and future success by developing a plan to expand youth involvement in workforce development initiatives.
- Develop and distribute an RFQ to initiate exploration of moving forward with a Public Transportation initiative.
- Hold quarterly meetings with the county and neighbor cities to ensure mutual growth and collaborative planning
Action Items:
- In collaboration with the Valdosta Housing Authority, develop a plan to gain public and private support for a mixed-use housing development.
- Continue to identify funding sources to move forward with the Lee Street Park Amphitheater.
- Purchase the old Valdosta High School for a Performing Arts Center
- Explore opportunities for transitioning to recycling drop sites in FY21 to include incentives to increase recycling along with the promotion and education of citizens.
Fiscal Year 2020
The following goals and action items were approved at the March 15-16 Mayor-Council Strategic Initiatives Summit (SIS).
Goals:
- Development Authority and others to enhance economic development in the City and the community. Continue to work in partnership with the Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority
- Continue to operate the City in a fiscally responsible manner
- Collaborate with the community and regional leaders to continue advocacy efforts on behalf of Moody Air Force Base in support of its value to national defense and our community and seek opportunities for base growth and expansion in preparation for any potential future Base Realignment and Closure Commissions (BRAC)
- Conduct meetings of City elected officials and staff with school system and parents to identify and encourage good life decisions for our youth and to help prepare them for future success
- Form committee & conduct study for Public Transportation for the City of Valdosta
- Develop a plan to review and revise the city charter in phases – Mayor will appoint a review committee
- Revise the Entertainment Ordinance for Downtown Valdosta to accommodate Special Event privileges
- Hold quarterly meetings with the county and neighbor cities to ensure mutual growth and collaborative planning
Action Items:
- In collaboration with the Valdosta Housing Authority, develop a plan to gain public and private support for a mixed-use housing development
- Report/brainstorm with planning and zoning other ways to encourage in-fill development and commercial/residential development in the city
- Update sidewalk/pedestrian/Bicycle Master Plan
- Research other revenue sources to be beneficial for the City of Valdosta
- Explore options to clean and enhance the beauty of Valdosta through partnerships and community engagement
- Work on revamping downtown programs to generate more interest and energy downtown