Ocilla council races set for November; county retains qualifying fees under intergovernmental agreement
September 01, 2025 | Irwin County , Georgia
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The Irwin County Board of Elections & Registrations on Sept. 9 reviewed candidates who will appear on the Nov. 2025 Ocilla ballot and discussed administration of qualifying fees under a city/county intergovernmental agreement.
The board noted three contested or confirmed items for Ocilla: District 1 incumbent Lisa Cook is being challenged by Cortney Austin; District 3 incumbent Lemora Moses Sr. is being challenged by LaRounda Thomas; and Mayor Melvin D. Harper II is unopposed for mayor, with a term that will run through 2029. The list was presented as part of the board’s new-business items.
Chairman Waymond Harris reiterated that the city/county intergovernmental agreement requires charging the city only for costs that are exclusive to city elections. Supervisor Ethan Compton explained the county’s calculation for city-exclusive costs — which included newspaper notices for candidate qualifying, staff time during qualifying, and paper/toner for printed forms — and said those costs were less than $10 more than the total qualifying fees collected. Compton said that, in lieu of drafting an invoice and pursuing payment given the small difference, retaining the qualifying fees was considered appropriate full payment and that the city had been notified of that decision.
Votes at a glance:
- Approval of minutes: Motion by Vice-Chair Patricia Thurman, seconded by Representative Wyatt Thompson; approved 3-0.
- Adjournment: Motion by Representative Wyatt Thompson, seconded by Vice-Chair Patricia Thurman; approved 3-0.
Board comment: Chairman Harris asked whether district lines were expected to change. Supervisor Compton replied none are expected unless a County Charter change that affects lines is passed by the General Assembly next year or the General Assembly itself passes map changes; Compton said such changes are not expected until after the 2030 census.
The board recorded no public comment on the candidates or fee handling. Its next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 4 p.m.
The board noted three contested or confirmed items for Ocilla: District 1 incumbent Lisa Cook is being challenged by Cortney Austin; District 3 incumbent Lemora Moses Sr. is being challenged by LaRounda Thomas; and Mayor Melvin D. Harper II is unopposed for mayor, with a term that will run through 2029. The list was presented as part of the board’s new-business items.
Chairman Waymond Harris reiterated that the city/county intergovernmental agreement requires charging the city only for costs that are exclusive to city elections. Supervisor Ethan Compton explained the county’s calculation for city-exclusive costs — which included newspaper notices for candidate qualifying, staff time during qualifying, and paper/toner for printed forms — and said those costs were less than $10 more than the total qualifying fees collected. Compton said that, in lieu of drafting an invoice and pursuing payment given the small difference, retaining the qualifying fees was considered appropriate full payment and that the city had been notified of that decision.
Votes at a glance:
- Approval of minutes: Motion by Vice-Chair Patricia Thurman, seconded by Representative Wyatt Thompson; approved 3-0.
- Adjournment: Motion by Representative Wyatt Thompson, seconded by Vice-Chair Patricia Thurman; approved 3-0.
Board comment: Chairman Harris asked whether district lines were expected to change. Supervisor Compton replied none are expected unless a County Charter change that affects lines is passed by the General Assembly next year or the General Assembly itself passes map changes; Compton said such changes are not expected until after the 2030 census.
The board recorded no public comment on the candidates or fee handling. Its next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 4 p.m.
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