The meeting also highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by Perry residents, including water quality concerns and hurricane damage. A citizen brought attention to the poor water quality and the high costs associated with debris pickup after recent natural disasters. In response, the council offered a payment plan for debris pickup costs and promised to address overgrown city-owned lots that were causing obstructions. Furthermore, the city discussed suspending residential trash excess charges for six months to alleviate the financial strain on residents while also considering an extension of this suspension until the end of the year.

Water quality issues remained a focal point as the water department explained that the city’s water plant had been offline due to a filter project installation, affecting the water quality. The department outlined the flushing process and the systemic challenges in managing the city’s water effectively.

The council addressed the need for a grant application to the Florida Department of Commerce for a Community Development Block Grant. The grant application aimed to counteract economic decline by enhancing downtown streets and infrastructure. The budget was detailed during the meeting, including allocations for street repaving, parking, administration, and engineering costs. The council members debated the need for an engineer’s involvement and the possibility of rising costs.

Another major subject of the meeting was the repair project for Cherry Street SE. The council considered the costs and strategies for the repair, including the possibility of the city undertaking the repairs themselves. They also discussed quotes for lining the sewer main, the technology required, and the potential savings of in-house repairs. A motion was approved to request a pavement management plan from the Florida Department of Transportation, aiming to follow a successful example set by Nassau County, Florida.

The council further debated the potential purchase of equipment to repair pipelines more within the city. The equipment’s cost, necessity, and benefits, such as reduced repair time, were weighed by the council members. One member suggested observing the equipment in action before deciding on its purchase.

Nepotism within the city’s workforce sparked a debate as one council member raised concerns about the possibility of favoritism in hiring practices when family members work in the same department. Another member argued that nepotism is not an issue as long as relatives are not in direct supervisory positions. Accusations flew.

The meeting also touched on logistical issues, such as the challenges of coordinating with utility companies to address loose cables and infrastructure concerns. A suggestion was made to create a centralized reporting system for such issues. Additionally, the council briefly discussed the procurement process for uniforms for city employees.