Monticello Mayor Pro Tem Resigns

In an unexpected move, Mayor Pro Tem Otis Clark tendered his resignation as of Tuesday’s meeting of the Monticello City Council.

His abrupt announcement came near the close of the meeting during council comments. The mayor pro tem voiced concerns that the council was doing things that were not legal.

“I’ve enjoyed serving the citizens of Monticello. But with what we have endured over the past two years and we’re doing the things we’re doing—it’s not right,” said Mr. Clark.

As of Wednesday morning, Mr. Clark had not changed his mind.

The enduring of the past two years likely refers to the financial predicament of the city government while the “things we’re doing” made reference to the council’s delegation of funding. In this particular scenario, that funding would be for the continuation of operating the Get Ahead House, currently strapped for funding.

In earlier discussions Tuesday evening, city manager Hugh King sought direction from the council about how to handle the delicate financial situation with the GAH. According to finances provided by financial consultant Reggie Grant of Trinity Advisors, Mr. King said that the GAH budget reflected only enough funds for one more payroll.

Operation of the GAH is estimated at approximately $4,500 per month including salaries, transportation, and nutrition.
State funding for the youth program was reduced last year when a DHR grant was not renewed for the organization.
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Council member Jackie Smith said that the program is not in dire straits yet and that additional funding is aggressively been sought but until those funds are located “the city needs to look at how much we’re willing to fund our children.”

Mayor pro tem Clark made a reference to the October 2005 minutes of the council during which he said council voted to keep the GAH operational through the end of 2005 with funds in its budget that would have covered the payroll up until that time only.

He requested direction from council attorney Robby Kelly as to whether it was legal for the city to continue paying the GAH bills after the council had taken action not to continue funding in the new year.

Council members Scott Sauls questioned as to whether council could fund the program not whether they wanted to fund it.

“Is the money there?” he asked.
“I don’t think anyone knows the answer to that,” replied Mayor Susan Holmes.

Mr. Sauls said that he wasn’t against funding the program but that the city was already complaining about finances.

In one final passionate plea, Mrs. Smith asked council members could they not afford a program for the children.

“Financially we keep saying we don’t know where we are. If we can find the money to pay the city manager, if we can find the funding to pay the city clerk — why can’t we find money to support our children?”

Bringing the back-and-forth banter to an end, Glenn Newsome motioned to authorize up to $5,000 per month for three months to the GAH. The motion passed 3-2 with Messrs. Clark and Sauls casting the dissenting votes.

Discussion of the GAH wasn’t the sole spot of contention for council members Tuesday. Mr. King and administrator Peggy Billerman made council aware of problems that had been discovered with the city’s utility billings.

Mrs. Billerman reported that some erroneous data entry on utility bills had been sent last month and the reflection of those mistakes were represented in the current month’s bills. All meters had been reread, she said.

Mr. Clark inquired as to by whom and where the erroneous entries came from. Mrs. Billerman said that discovery had not been her focus but rather just trying to correct the problem.

“This cannot happen again,” said Bryan Standifer. “Some of the customers I’ve talked to have had their bills triple. Bottom line – this cannot happen again.”

In other new business, council voted to begin the process to amend the ordinance on seating capacity requirements for alcoholic beverage and pouring licenses. The seating capacity is intended to change from 75 to 30.

A retail liquor license for T&T Package Store, operated by Jim Thomaston and Britt Thomaston, was unanimously granted for the Venture Court location.

Approval was given to D.J.’s Bar and Grill, also located at Venture Court, for a retail liquor license and beer & wine pouring license.
There was some discussion had about whether owner Greg Wise had met health department requirements. The request passed 4-1 with Mrs. Smith casting the dissenting vote.

Council additionally approved one resolution to accept the report revision from Carter & Sloope regarding the water and sewer revenue bonds, series 1998; and two amendments with regard to regulatory compliance subscription services with the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia and marketing services with the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia.

Before approving the city government payables in the amount of approximately $1.2 million, Mayor Holmes questioned as to whether approving payment of the presented bills would bring the city current.

“Will approving these bills catch us up to December? We need some clue as to where we are,” said the mayor in reference to the financial status of the organization.

In an effort to get a better handle on the city’s finances, council members minus Mr. Clark entered into executive session to discuss offering chief financial officer position to an applicant.

On Wednesday morning Mr. King confirmed that an offer for the position was being extended this week to the selected candidate.
Prior to entering into executive session to discuss personnel, council comments were given in the absence of citizen’s input.

Mr. Newsome commented on the financial reports compiled and submitted by Mr. Grant in addition to announcing that three candidates had been interviewed for the CFO position.

In announcing that the public safety committee had met, Mr. Standifer said that the committee nor the city manager had authorized paying the GAH teachers for services past 2005. He asked Mr. Clark to reconsider resigning.

Providing the final commentary of the evening, Mayor Holmes also asked Mr. Clark to reconsider his action. She reported that Dept. of Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond would be visiting Monticello on March 7 for a 11:30 a.m. luncheon and tour of the Government Complex. The labor commissioner had previously expressed an interest to open a satellite office outside of Atlanta.