VALDOSTA, Ga. — Valdosta city leaders are releasing their goals for the upcoming fiscal year.
With eight goals in total, there is a lot of work to do.
Topping a list of projects that Valdosta hopes to knock out of the park before the middle of next year is creating a public transportation system, something Valdosta lacks.
But creating the transportation system isn't easy, even with assistance.
"Taking that in is a tremendous thing and big expense. Now there is federal money available to buy the assets, then you got to provide maintenance and operation," said Valdosta Mayor John Gayle.
Other goals include continuing support for the Moody Air Force Base. Gayle says the base has a $500 million impact on the community, and the city needs to give the military an incentive to stay. Also, revising the city's charter.
The population of Valdosta is up to about 60,000 people, so the mayor believes it's time to make changes to previous ordinances.
"We do everything we can to make Valdosta the best place to live," said Gayle.
If there is one thing mayor Gayle wants people to know, it's that while completing all of the goals is important, the city will make sure to operate within its budget.
"We don't go out and spend money needlessly. We try to provide the best possible services for our citizens, people like me, I'm a taxpayer, too," said Gayle.
The fiscal year starts July 1. These are things Valdosta hopes to accomplish by June of 2020.
Mayor Gayle says leaders have already started planning how they will achieve each goal.
