Greater Lowndes Planning Commission meeting
Monday, July 26, 2021 
5:30 pm
South Health District Administrative Office
(325 W Savannah Ave.)

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.  View the 2021 meeting schedule.

The Work Sessions are held the second to last Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m.  These meetings are open to the public.

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.

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.

Valdosta-Lowndes Co. Conference Center & Tourism Authority Meeting
Tuesday, July 27, 2021 
8:00 am
Rainwater Conference Center
(1 Meeting Pl.)

The primary purpose of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center & Tourism Authority is to provide direction and leadership towards the achievement of the Authority's mission, goals, and objectives.

Responsibilities of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center & Tourism Authority are as follows: (1) to provide general continuity for the Authority, (2) to elect Authority Officers and to monitor their performance, (3) attend monthly and called meetings of the Authority Board of Directors as stated per the Board Attendance Policy, (4) upon recommendation of the Board, the Chairman will appoint, define the powers of, and dissolve Committees of the Board, (5) upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Authority Board will hire and establish compensation for the Executive Director/COO, (6) evaluate the performance of the President/COO, (7) develop and oversee the fiscal budget for the Authority which includes operational funding for the CVB, Conference Center, Sports Commission, The Crescent, Historical Society, and Hahira and Lake Park tourism-related promotions and special events, (8) review and approve capital expenditures in the amount of $10,000.00 or more, (9) review and approve all Authority policies, procedures, rules, and regulations, (10) represent the Authority at special events and meetings on the local and State level, (11) review and approve contracts and agreements entered into on behalf of the Authority (12) to ensure, through continuous review, that the Directors and Officers of the Authority act in accordance with established ethical and professional standards, (13) to increase the effectiveness of management by rendering advice and guidance to the Authority Board Chairman and other principal Officers, (14) to advise the Authority Board Chairman in regard to major decisions affecting the Authority's capitalization structure, resource allocations, and other major financial matters, and (15) to act in accordance with Federal and State laws. All appointees must review and acknowledge receipt of the Authority's Code of Ethics, Conflicts of Interest Policy, and Board-Staff Contact Policy.

The Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center & Tourism Authority meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 8:00 a.m. in the Executive Board Room at the Rainwater Conference Center located at #1 Meeting Place.  View the 2021 Conference Center & Tourism Authority Meeting Schedule.

For more information, please contact City Clerk Teresa Bolden at (229) 259-3503 or E-mail, or contact President and CEO Chris Hamilton at the Rainwater Conference Center at (229) 245-0513 or visit Rainwater Conference Center or Visit Valdosta.

BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT

The City of Valdosta will host its Annual Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 7. The event will once again be run in a drive-thru format to account for ongoing COVID-19 Precautions. Five hundred pre-stuffed bags will be distributed to students on a first-come, first-serve basis thanks to various community sponsors and the City’s Neighborhood Development Department. 

The Back to School event started in 2017 to provide students with the school supplies they need before the start of the school year. School supplies can cost on average $50.00 to $75.00 just for one student each school year from grades K through 12. And by mid-school year, an additional $35.00 is needed to supply that same student through the remainder of the school year. This year provides additional challenges for many students and families as it will mark the return to a formalized classroom setting.

“We are just happy to assist in this transition back to school. We still have families county-wide who are trying to recover from the COVID pandemic, and this event will help in some small way,” said Vanassa Ross, Neighborhood Development Manager.

We thank all of our donors for all they have contributed to this event over the years, and we look forward to returning to our back to school park celebration next year,” said Neighborhood Development and Community Protections Manager Vanassa Ross.

This year’s Back to School Bash will be held from 8 am to 12 pm at Olympic Park (Patterson Street Side). No pre-registration will be needed. However, students must be a resident of Lowndes County to participate. We ask that participants start to line up for the bags no earlier than 7:45 am to allow for proper set-up from the volunteers.

Supplies are first-come, first-serve, and students must be present in the car during pick-up.

“It’s important now more than ever that we start preparing students to be successful in their future. The city is always looking for new ways to support and be involved in the enrichment and education of our students in Valdosta,” said Ross.

For more information or questions about the Back to School Community Event, please contact the Neighborhood Development Department at 229-671-3617.