City Still Operating Without a Budget
The City of Monticello has been operating without a budget since July 1, 2009. At their regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening the Council once again deferred the adoption of the budget until their called meeting on Thursday, July 23.
After cutting two city positions and leaving another position open, there were other budget cuts, which represented approximately a five percent cut from the previous year’s budget, even with an increase in water and sewer costs to residents.
Mayor Glenn Newsome advised the Council that any changes in the proposed budget would have to be made in such a way to keep the budget balanced.
The Council also could come to no decision on the Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA) request for approval of new loan arrangements on the building which currently houses Val’s Red Clay Cafe and other vendors. The request, among other things, represented a new loan of $48,980 from the Bank of Monticello and $41,038 from McIntosh State Bank at rates of 7.25 percent. This arrangement, which has been approved by both banks would increase each loan by $15,500, however, it would pay all past due bills and include an additional $10,000 to be used to market the building for sale.
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Councilwoman Katherine Alexander made a motion to approve the DDA loan arrangements, which was seconded by Councilman Bobby Jacobs. After much discussion Mayor Newsome announced the motion was on the table to approve the loan and called for a vote. Mr. Jacob’s vote was the lone vote in favor, and the request was denied by a 3-1 vote, with Mrs. Alexander voting against her own motion.
After Mr. Jacobs asked where the DDA was expected to go from there, the city attorney said the loan could possibly go into default on the third of the mortgage the city owns. At this point, at the prompting of Councilman Bryan Standifer, the council agreed to ask the DDA to meet with council on July 23, at their called meeting.
Ken Kocher, representing the Historical Preservation Commission (HPC) was present to speak to the council about an appeal by the property owner at 187 Madison Road where a hand car wash is operated and where a metal carport had been placed to enable the workers to wax automobiles away from the sun. After the HPC advised the property owner the structure was in violation of their regulations, an appeal was filed.
The question before the council was whether the HPC had abused its authority.
Mr. Jacobs made a motion to deny the appeal and uphold the HPC decision, however there was no second and his motion failed. After much discussion Mrs. Alexander made a motion to approve the appeal and it was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Russell Gross. After even more discussion Mayor Glen Newsome called for a vote and the Council voted 3-1 to in favor of the appeal, with Mr. Jacobs casting the lone vote against it.
In City Manager Bob Schwartz’s report he announced that citizens could now pay their utility bills by credit card, debit card or bank draft, and that on-line payment was being tested and should be available soon.
Mr. Schwartz also introduced Waymon Cody as the city’s new Water Plant Supervisor, who has a Class One Water License, a bachelor of science in biology and experience with the Covington Water Department.
In other action the council approved the payables, the water/sewer drawdown for Rehab Construction Company in the amount of $15,484, the appointment of Tom Shekita to fill one of the three vacancies on the DDA Board, the annual agreement with the Chamber of Commerce, the first draft of the monthly utilities report and the appointment of all council members to an ad hoc committee to review the city charter.
The agreement with the Chamber of Commerce requires the COC and Better Hometown Program to keep the Visitor’s Center open certain hours. The proposed budget, that could be adopted next Thursday, eliminates the Better Hometown Program, so presumably that responsibility would lie with the COC alone.
Prior to the meeting the Council conducted a public hearing on the City Zoning Commission’s decision to approve a new sign for the Circle K Convenience Store, which the Council approved unanimously. Also on the agenda of the public hearing was the Council’s facts on setting the new millage rate on property tax. Three public hearings are required before the rate can be set. The first one was held on Tuesday morning and the third one is scheduled for the called meeting on July 23.
With no other business on the agenda Mayor Newsome called for council comments.
Ms. Alexander said she was very pleased to finally have a qualified water plant manager, and also to have credit card payment of utility bills in place.
Mr. Standifer said the meeting had been intense, but we have to not mention people’s names in open session. He added he could go either way on the budget, that there are things we want to do, but the budget has to be balanced.
Mr. Jacobs said the budget is our top priority, along with service to our citizens and preserving our Better Home Town Program.
Mr. Gross said the council has to watch the money, that he would be on vacation during the budget approval meeting next week, but that he supported it as it stood.
Councilwoman Mollie Pompey was absent participating in a MEAG meeting representing the city.
Mayor Newsome said any budget changes had to be cuts only. He thanked the council members for “volunteering” to be on the ad hoc committee to review the city charter. He also thanked Mr. Schwartz for his tireless efforts and being on top of things, and commented on the good morale in the front office