New Council Considers Personnel, Gets Good Audit Report

The new Monticello City Council, with three completely new faces, two in different seats than before, and one returning to her council seat began the process of governing Monticello Tuesday.

Mayor Bryan Standifer presided at the meeting, with Mayor Pro-tem Bobby Jacobs at his side. Councilmen from District 1—Larry Thurman and Cornell Williams, and from District 2—newcomer Randy Strozier and one-term veteran Katherine Alexander took part in the meeting.

Mr. Strozier made a motion to move citizen’s input from early in the meeting to late in the meeting, saying people sometimes want to comment after the council has taken action. Mr. Jacobs said that is true, but sometimes people want to comment before the council takes action. Therefore, they agreed unanimously to have citizen comments twice during the meeting.

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The council considered annual appointments. Most went through quickly, but after the city manager and city clerk were approved, Mr. Strozier made a motion that they be appointed for 60 days then be evaluated. Mr. Jacobs said the 60 days should not begin until council had met and set parameters for the evaluation.

“I was elected by citizens of Monticello to be their voice,” Mr. Strozier said. He went on about the complaints he had received about City Clerk Peggy Billerman, and City Manager Bob Schwartz. Mayor Standifer reminded Mr. Strozier that meetings will be conducted with decorum and no personal attacks would be allowed.

The council heard from Brandon Montgomery, CPA with Herring CPA Group, P.C. who presented the annual audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. Mr. Herring said he as able to issue an “unqualified opinion”—the best you can get. He presented council members with a copy of the 43-page audit report, then went over the highlights. He had prepared a powerpoint presentation, he said, but when he looked at the logistics of the room, determined there was no way to present it, so printed a copy out for each council person.

Mr. Montgomery said the city was not aggressive enough on disconnect fees, and may need to increase deposits. He also said that the city is paying a lot on debt.

He said the only real revenue the city made as in the electrical department. Councilman Strozier said, “We made $500,000, but we spent it.” He was disappointed Mr. Montgomery could not give an immediate report of where all monies went.

Mr. Strozier said, “When I think of audit I think you should be able to tell me where every penny went.” Then he asked how he knew the numbers in the audit to be accurate. Mr. Montgomery said he is an independent auditor, and his work is overseen by the state.

Mr. Strozier also questioned several checks that were on the consent agenda, and Mrs. Billerman explained them as best she could, and said that anytime a council person has a question about any check just to let her know and she will print out the invoice and any related material. Council members receive their packets in advance of the meeting, usually on Friday.

Council members also learned that a cost of service study is in progress for the city to get information on electrical rates to determine where Monticello ranks as the council tries to determine how to lessen the burden of high electrical rates. Mr. Strozier questioned paying for the study, suggesting it could have been conducted in house. Mr. Jacobs explained that to make an informed decision, it is necessary to collect as much data as possible.

In council comments, Mr. Thurman said it was an interesting meeting, and that he is learning. He said he appreciated the information provided by the city manager’s report.

Mr. Williams said that it was clear they are all concerned about electrical rates, and that we have to get rates down or there won’t be a town.

Mr. Jacobs reminded the others that for every action there is a reaction, indicating he would like to lower electric rates, but that the city must have revenue.

Mrs. Alexander said she is excited about the new council. She said she wants to see an influx of people who want to move to Monticello.

Mr. Strozier said “They say we’re in a recession…Walmart’s parking lot is full, the liquor store is full, but no money is coming into Monticello.”

The mayor said he is a positive person, and encouraged positive feedback from all.