Greater Lowndes Planning Commission Meeting
Monday, January 31, 2022
5:30 PM
South Health District Administrative Office
(325 W. Savannah Avenue)
The missions of the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC) are to review and make any recommendations on all official zoning and related local government land-use decisions, to look beyond short-term solutions in planning for the future of the Greater Lowndes community; to improve the public health, safety, convenience and welfare; and to provide for the social, economic and physical development of communities on a sound and orderly basis, within a governmental framework and economic environment which fosters constructive growth and efficient administration. The Commission provides assistance to local governments in updating, amending, and implementing county-wide comprehensive plans and developing land use ordinances and policies to ensure compatibility with regional and local plans, goals, objectives and recommend appropriate action to the elected officials.
The Greater Lowndes Planning Commission meets the last Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the South Health District, 325 West Savannah Avenue. The Greater Lowndes Planning Commission meets the last Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the South Health District, 325 West Savannah Avenue.
For more information, please contact Teresa Bolden, City Clerk, at (229) 259-3503 or E-mail or contact Matt Martin, Planning & Zoning Administrator, (229) 259-3563 or E-mail.
 In honor of Black History Month, the city of Valdosta is hosting a virtual weekly trivia contest. All trivia questions will be centered around notable achievements made throughout black history.
Participants will have the chance to win a tote bag filled with city of Valdosta gift items.
Questions will be posted to the city's Facebook and Instagram pages every Monday morning starting January 31st through February 21st. To participate, leave your answer in the comment section of the post. The correct answer and winner will be announced the following Friday morning. The post containing the question will specify what platform we will be selecting the winner from, so be sure to follow the City of Valdosta on Facebook and Instagram for your best chance to win.
Winners can pick up their prizes by contacting the Public Information Office at (229)-259-3548.
Valdosta-Lowndes Co. Zoning Board of Appeals
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
2:30 PM
City Hall Annex Building, Multi-Purpose Room
(300 N. Lee Street)
The Valdosta-Lowndes County Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBOA) was established to hear appeals and variance requests of the City of Valdosta Land Development Regulations (LDR) as well as the Lowndes County Unified Land Development Code (ULDC).
The ZBOA meets the first Tuesday of each month at 2:30 p.m. in the City Hall Annex Building, Multi-Purpose Room located at 300 North Lee Street.
For more information, please contact Teresa Bolden, City Clerk, at (229) 259-3503 or E-mail or contact Matt Martin, Planning & Zoning Administrator, at (229) 259-3563 or E-mail.
The Valdosta Police Department is seeking applicants for its 35th Session of the Citizen’s Police Academy (CPA), which will be held each Thursday night from April 14, 2022, to June 2, 2022.
Valdosta Main Street is gearing up to kick off a month-long ‘Love Downtown Valdosta’ marketing campaign.
This campaign will run through the entire month of February, from Monday, February 1 until Monday, February 28, and encourage residents to visit the downtown shops and restaurants in some of the slower spending months.
More information here: https://bit.ly/3g0Wt1Z
Due to current weather conditions and high water levels, the Mayor and Chairman's Paddle on the Withlacoochee River has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 19.
Come as early as 8 AM to Troupville Boat Ramp to drop off your boats, and drive to Spook Bridge.
Two 15-seat vans provided by the Boys & Girls Club will shuttle participates back to Troupville after the paddle.
This will be an outdoor event, but we will recommend that riders take advantage of the shuttle service wear a mask.
Please visit https://wwals.net/ to register.
The Valdosta Police Department (VPD) has experienced a decrease in crime rates over the past couple of years. This trend continued in 2021, with a 4.8 percent decrease in part one crimes compared to 2020. Police Chief Leslie Manahan attributes this decrease to the department's ongoing enforcement efforts and support from the community.
In 2021, the department recorded 2,203 part one crimes overall. Part one crimes include homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, and larceny. The City of Valdosta saw a significant drop in property crimes in 2021, with 72 fewer burglary cases than the 2020 numbers. The department has also experienced a decrease in calls for service responding to 70,499 in 2021 versus 73,920 in 2020. Additionally, the Valdosta Police Department recovered $1,663,187.00 worth of stolen property. However, the department did see an increase of fourteen aggravated assaults and an increase of one motor vehicle theft in 2021, compared to 2020.
Though the department has faced challenging times over the past couple of years, they continue to provide the City of Valdosta with the same level of service. In fact, the department has seen a 19 percent decrease in crime over the past seven years. "Our department, like many other Law Enforcement Agencies, has felt the sting of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Yet every day, our officers still decide to put on their badges and uniforms and go out to serve our city. We want to assure our residents that we have and will continue to enforce the law," said Chief Manahan.
If you have any questions, please contact the Valdosta Police Department at 229-242-2606.
Lowndes Co. Board of Health Meeting
Thursday, February, 2022
12:00 PM
South Health District Administrative Office
(325 W. Savannah Avenue)
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The Lowndes County Board of Health has established and adopted bylaws for its own governance. The Board exercises responsibility and authority in all matters within the County pertaining to health unless the responsibility for enforcement of such is by law that of another agency. The Board takes such steps as may be necessary to prevent and suppress disease and conditions deleterious to health and to determine compliance with health laws and rules, regulations and standards adopted thereunder. The Board adopts and enforces rules and regulations appropriate to its function and powers, provided such rules and regulations are not in conflict with the rules and regulations of the Department. The Board receives and administers all grants, gifts, monies, and donations for purposes pertaining to health pursuant to this chapter, and the Board makes contracts and establishes fees for the provision of public health services. The Board contracts with the Department of Human Resources or other agencies for assistance in the performance of its functions (O.C.G.A. §31-3-4).
The Lowndes County Board of Health meets five times per year (January, March, June, September, and November) at 7:30 a.m. at the Lowndes Co. Health Department, 1st Floor Conference Room, 206 South Patterson Street, Valdosta.
For more information, please contact Teresa Bolden, City Clerk, at (229) 259-3503 or E-mail or contact the Patrina L. Bowles, Georgia Department of Public Health, South Health District Office, at (229) 245-6431, E-mail or visit their website.
Due to the rise in COVID cases, all persons entering City facilities will be required to wear a face covering effective January 3, 2022.
The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts presents a free live performance of the Harriet Tubman & the Underground Railroad musical on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. The touring cast of the renowned Virginia Repertory Theatre will perform this stirring drama at the Valdosta Performing Arts Center, located at 3101 Barack Obama Blvd., in Valdosta.
This is a classic tribute to a great American who freed herself and hundreds of others from the bonds of slavery. Harriet Tubman’s courage helped to change the world, and young and mature audiences alike will share her adventurous life and will be deeply moved by the musical history lesson.
Harriet Tubman & the Underground Railroad is made possible through the Turner Center’s partnership with the Valdosta City Schools System, Publix Super Markets Charities, Greater Valdosta United Way, Center for the Arts Guild, and City of Valdosta. Two 60-minute performances for VCS eighth-graders will also take place during the school day, and students will receive an interactive study guide with engaging activities about this historic event that can supplement school curriculum. This guide may also be downloaded at turnercenter.org.
“The Turner Center is proud to partner with our sponsors to bring this nationally touring performance and musical message to our community,” said Executive Director Sementha Mathews. “This is one of many art and cultural-enriching experiences that the Turner Center provides year-round, particularly during this 60th anniversary of the Lowndes-Valdosta Arts Commission taking place throughout 2022. We invite everyone to take advantage of this free family activity.”
Admission for the evening performance is free on a first-come first-serve basis. For more information about this program or other events and activities, call 229.247.2787 or visit turnercenter.org. Patrons who need special assistance may contact the Center to make arrangements.
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If you are looking for a career that makes a difference in your community, the Valdosta Police Department (VPD) is seeking/hiring qualified applicants for the position of Police Officer. We are holding an Open Testing hiring event on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at 6pm. We allow entrance 30 minutes prior to the testing time. Once you have successfully completed the process, VPD will send you to the academy already employed with the City of Valdosta, which means you will be getting paid while attending training. If you are already a Sworn Law Enforcement Officer, you do NOT need to attend the testing, simply turn in an application for employment.
We ask everyone who attends to wear a protective face covering and if you are not feeling well, please plan on attending a later testing date. The testing will be at Valdosta City Hall Annex, 300 North Lee Street. This test is the initial stage of the hiring process, and it could lead to a fantastic career in Law Enforcement at one of the finest Law Enforcement Agencies in the nation. We offer a competitive salary, great medical and retirement benefits. Must be able to perform all public safety duties as required by the department.
Applicants taking the test will need to bring their driver’s license and $15, which is the testing fee.
Minimum Requirements:
Applicant must be at least 21 years of age.
Applicant must a Unites States Citizen.
Applicant cannot have any felony convictions according to O.C.G.A 35-8-8.
Applicant cannot have any family violence-related convictions according to O.C.G.A 19-13-1
Applicant must have a High School Diploma or GED.
Applicant must have valid Driver’s License.
Salary Information:
$40,859.48 Base Police Officer Salary ($19.64 per hour)
$41, 859.44 Partial College Incentive ($20.12 per hour)
$42, 859.40 Full College Incentive ($20.61 per hour)
The Valdosta Police Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Applications for the position of police officer remains open and dates and times of entry level test will be posted periodically on the City of Valdosta website www.valdostacity.com. For information on the process and benefits email Lieutenant Sabrina Smith at swsmith@valdostacity.com or call her at 229-293-3099.
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