Valdosta council swears in members, elects mayor pro tem and approves vehicle bids, MOA
January 14, 2026 | Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia
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The Valdosta City Council opened the Jan. 8 meeting with oath‑taking ceremonies for newly elected or re‑elected council members. Judges Jeremy Baker and William Weitzel administered the oaths for Councilwoman Sandra Tooley (District 2), Councilman Eric Howard (District 4) and Councilman Andy Gibbs (District 6).
The council then considered routine business. By voice/show‑of‑hands vote it approved consent agenda items 7A–7D, including low‑bid vehicle purchases recommended by John Burton of the engineering department: a 3/4‑ton replacement truck (Phil Brennan Ford, $45,137.72), a 2‑ton crew cab service truck (Phil Bridal Ford, $75,750) and four 1/2‑ton crew cab trucks (Livonia Ford Inc., total $174,420 at $43,605 each), and authorization to procure eight pursuit SUVs for the police department due to age and maintenance concerns.
Mayor Pro Tem nomination and election followed: council entertained nominations and a show‑of‑hands vote carried to install Andy Gibbs as mayor pro tem. The council also voted to approve an updated memorandum of agreement with the Alapaha (transcript variations) Soil and Water Conservation District clarifying the responsibilities of the city as a local issuing authority for erosion and sedimentation plan review; staff said there were no additional staffing or budget requirements.
Item 8A, an amendment to the City of Valdosta FY2026 budget presented by interim finance director Tarquita Williams, was postponed at the director’s request and approved for postponement by motion and a second.
The meeting concluded after a public comment period and a motion to adjourn.
The council then considered routine business. By voice/show‑of‑hands vote it approved consent agenda items 7A–7D, including low‑bid vehicle purchases recommended by John Burton of the engineering department: a 3/4‑ton replacement truck (Phil Brennan Ford, $45,137.72), a 2‑ton crew cab service truck (Phil Bridal Ford, $75,750) and four 1/2‑ton crew cab trucks (Livonia Ford Inc., total $174,420 at $43,605 each), and authorization to procure eight pursuit SUVs for the police department due to age and maintenance concerns.
Mayor Pro Tem nomination and election followed: council entertained nominations and a show‑of‑hands vote carried to install Andy Gibbs as mayor pro tem. The council also voted to approve an updated memorandum of agreement with the Alapaha (transcript variations) Soil and Water Conservation District clarifying the responsibilities of the city as a local issuing authority for erosion and sedimentation plan review; staff said there were no additional staffing or budget requirements.
Item 8A, an amendment to the City of Valdosta FY2026 budget presented by interim finance director Tarquita Williams, was postponed at the director’s request and approved for postponement by motion and a second.
The meeting concluded after a public comment period and a motion to adjourn.
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