By Ella McGalliard

HAWKINSVILLE, Ga. — April 6, 2026

The Hawkinsville Board of Commissioners met Monday evening, April 6 at City Hall, approving a slate of new business licenses, authorizing emergency sewer repairs, and adding two streets to the city’s 2026 paving plan. Chairman Ken Clark presided over the meeting, which ran just under two hours and included a 30-minute executive session.

Hospital Concerns Raised Again

As she did earlier in the day at the county commission meeting, resident Yvonne Roundtree addressed the board about the ongoing situation at Taylor Regional Hospital. Roundtree asked whether there was any entity the commission could contact on the hospital’s behalf to advocate for the community. The board did not take formal action on the matter.

Sunnybrook Circle Sewer Repairs Approved

Residents Christine Edwards and Erik Becker appeared before the board to voice concerns about sewer problems in the Sunnybrook Circle area. In response, the commission voted unanimously to approve payment to Coggins Construction for an emergency sewer replacement on Sunnybrook Circle, with costs to be covered by SPLOST funds.

Four New Businesses Licensed; Pizza Shop Gets Alcohol Permit

The commission approved occupational tax applications for four new businesses operating in Hawkinsville: BS Environmental, LLC (42 Hillbright St.), Dawson Bookkeeping (58 Jordan Dr.), Evans & Co. Apparel (120 Commerce St.), and Bridgepark Events & Gatherings, LLC (70 Commerce St.).

The board also approved an alcohol license application for Jo’s Pizza. Chairman Clark abstained from the vote, citing a conflict of interest; the motion passed by a majority of the remaining commissioners.

Roads, Housing Grant, and Right-of-Way Contract

Rawls Street and S. Wood Street were added to the city’s 2026 Supplemental LMIG road paving list, giving those corridors access to state Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant funding. The board also approved a change order related to the Rural Workforce Housing Initiative Grant and selected Johnny B’z Lawn Service as the contractor for right-of-way maintenance for one season, running March 1 through October 31.

Proclamation, Planning Renewal, and Tabled Appointment

The commission approved a proclamation recognizing the week of May 1–7, 2026 as Bible Reading Marathon Week — the same proclamation passed by the county commission earlier in the day. The board also approved the city’s PlanFirst Renewal Application and its Revitalization Area Strategy, both of which relate to the city’s long-range planning and community development framework.

A Public Health Board appointment was tabled without discussion. The board also briefly discussed the possibility of allowing mixed drinks to-go, though no action was taken.

Executive Session

The commission entered executive session at 6:56 p.m. to discuss potential litigation. The board reconvened at 7:26 p.m. and adjourned shortly thereafter with no action publicly announced from the closed session.

The next City of Hawkinsville Commission Meeting will be May 4 at 6 p.m.

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