McCoy may be out as administrator, but his influence remains

JEKYLL ISLAND — More evidence of the positive impact ousted Dougherty County Administrator Mike McCoy had on the county government came to light recently at the Georgia Chapter of the American Public Works Association’s ninth annual awards program here.

Three projects that were under McCoy’s direct supervision were selected by the Public Works Association as projects of the year. Projects receiving recognition included the Radium Springs Lift Station Mural that was created by artist Chris Johnson in the Structures category; work on the Flint River Trail System in the Transportation — Quality of Life category, and the historic Radium Springs Bridge rehab designed by YWM Architects and completed by LRA Constructors in the Historic Restoration/Preservation category.

“I would like to thank the employees and staff of Dougherty County on these great awards,” McCoy said after learning of the county wins. “The three awards signify the excellence and ingenuity of Dougherty County employees under my leadership as county administrator.”

Also at the awards banquet, Russell Malone was named the Chapter Employee of the Year.

During McCoy’s five-year tenure as county administrator, the county:

♦ Survived four presidentially-declared natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic;

♦ Secured landfill gas-to-energy grant and implemented it with solid waste and the Department of Defense;

♦ Secured funding for Radium Springs-to-ASU portion of Flint River Trail System, including $2 million in grant funding from the Economic Development Administration;

♦ Launched the county’s first Juneteenth Celebration;

♦ Cut ribbon on renovated Robert Cross Park, which included outdoor exercise pad and paved walking trail around existing pond;

♦ Oversaw revitalization of Radium Springs, including 4 miles of trail system, completion of Spring Run Bridge renovation, cleaning of springs, renewed Radium Springs Fall Festival event;

♦ Balanced county budgets;

♦ Implemented pay raises for employees, first in 20 years;

♦ Improved recruitment and retention of county employees, reducing number of vacancies in county employment;

♦ Successfully managed SPLOST and passed SPLOST VIII;

♦ Successfully completed LOST renegotiations with city of Albany;

♦ Signage installation for all county parks, including brick marquee for Robert Cross Park;

♦ Implemented annual employee appreciation events for employees;

♦ Completed rebranding of county, including production and implementation of full brand identity package, with marketing efforts to launch the brand and new website;

♦ T-SPLOST launch, approval, and implementation, first for the County.

During his short time of service under new County Commission Chairman Lorenzo Heard, who with Commissioners Gloria Gaines, Victor Edwards and Clinton Johnson voted to fire McCoy, the now former county administrator was able to:

♦ Complete onboarding presentations for all county Departments;

♦ Production and delivery of County Government Guide;

♦ Set up department, Marine base, morgue tours for chairman;

♦ Won approval of multipurpose facility for Putney Park;

♦ Secured partnership with city of Albany for joint Juneteenth Celebration;

♦ Oversaw grand reopening of County Employee Health Clinic with new provider, CareATC;

♦ Led groundbreaking ceremony for ASU-to-Downtown Connector Trail System;

♦ Completed roof replacement for Albany Rescue Mission.

Ironically, McCoy’s efforts to complete the award-winning mural on the Radium Springs lift station was almost thwarted by Edwards, who said he preferred not to have a white artist work on the project.

McCoy said he and his attorney, Maurice King, were preparing to file the ante litem notice that will formally notify the county of McCoy’s plans to file a wrongful termination suit.

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Dougherty CountySpecial Photo