Police Department Eliminated with 3-2 Budget Vote

The Monticello City Council voted 3-2 Tuesday night to approve the budget which results in disbanding the Monticello Police Department to help offset a $725,000 deficit in the FY2015 budget.

Mayor Pro tem Bobby Jacobs, Councilwoman Katherine Alexander, and Councilman David Wease voted for the passing of the FY2015 budget and Councilmen Cornell Williams and Larry Thurman voted against when a roll call vote was taken.

Prior to the vote, there were several citizens that spoke in support of the department and were critical of the council. The agenda was amended by a 4-1 vote to add first readings of a Charter Amendment and Sheriff’s agreement (which both pertained to the pending budget approval). Council members voting for these additions included Jacobs, Alexander, Thurman, and Wease. Councilman Williams was the no vote.

The city council passed a millage rate of 6.855 for the year which is a decrease from the 6.91 rate last year. This passed unanimously, and City Clerk/City Manager Peggy Billerman stated that there would be no tax increases this year and shows a slight increase in property values from last year.

The first citizen comment portion of the meeting included comments from citizens Dot Hirneisen, saying that she and her husband just moved here and researched the city. She stated that she was concerned and law enforcement was one of the main factors in locating here. She suggested that there had to be money to keep the citizens safe and to keep this a “Mayberry” town.

Jacqueline Smith spoke to the previous vote on the JAG probation services that were voted to be replaced before the end of 2013

where three members of the council voted to replace and terminate the contract with JAG. She stated that JAG was still doing the probation here and that the “matter was of race. Three black elected officials voted to use CSRA services, and then the council judge said that those three didn’t have the authority.” She also said, “what if the three white votes to pass the budget is ignored.”

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City Attorney, Joe Reitman responded to Ms. Smith stating that “both the council and the judge had to be on the same page. Currently, we are in a holding pattern until Jan. 2015 when this can be looked into again.”

He said that the city “sided with the judge and state law and the contract on a good faith position was written under the law.”

Ms. Smith then read a part of the city charter and said, “everything that the state charter had refers to the authority of the governing body, which was the vote of the council.”

She stated to the council, “Three council members voted why was that vote ignored?” “And I was not at a meeting and JAG has a new contract that was not voted on with the Mayor pro tem’s signature?”

Mayor Bryan Standifer said, “I gave the mayor pro tem permission to sign the contract while I was unavailable. I lean toward the municipal court and its demands. A majority of the council took the position of the municipal court.”

Mr. Reitman said, “one council does not bind another council. I respect the judge and the court system whether I agree with the decision or not.”

Martha Pompey went before council and requested more information on contracted services as she asked during the public hearing last week. “This isn’t about money, this is personal.” She asked about contracts from MEAG and said that council couldn’t answer where contracted services money was going. She stated that we have $50,000 in contracted services in the council budget and wanted to know why. Councilwoman Alexander said that a portion of those were for the annual audit and another portion was for Capable payroll services.

Ms. Pompey said, “we have Peggy the city clerk, that is her job, what is she doing?”

Mayor Standifer stated that this service to Capable has been in effect for at least the last five years. She stated that she was on council then. Mayor Standifer asked Ms. Pompey “so you were a part of bringing that service in?”

Ms. Pompey then asked why there was $125,000 budgeted for someone in the police department if it was being done away with. “You better pick up a book and you better read,” she said. “Not just anyone can sign off on evidence and you have money budgeted for someone who is not even in law enforcement.”

“And all of this money for parks, It’s not being spent in Funderburg,” Ms. Pompey said.

The city attorney asked that the council and the city clerk get Ms. Pompey those audits and said that “her questions were legitimate and she deserved answers to those questions.”

City Clerk Peggy Billerman replied that all of the city’s audits could be found online at the Carl Vincent Institute of Government and the Department of Audits and Accounts (DOAA) at www.georgia.gov.

Rev. William Gibson spoke saying, “I commend the chief and the police on a job well done. We need to come together under faith, prayer, and unity.” “We need to pray and come together and leave this color thing behind because we are all equal in God’s eyes. We need to come together and in unity stand as one body for this, our community.”

When the motion for the budget was made by Mr. Jacobs, and Ms. Alexander seconded that motion, councilman Williams said, “Last week ya’ll gave out a lot of numbers. Has anyone gotten in touch with anyone else about these? I’d like to thank you all for coming. I heard Sunday that this was a done deal from a council member. Thank you for coming and trying to talk to council.”

“Chief this doesn’t have anything to do with money. I think you do a good job and I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve lived here for 45 years and we’ve always had a police department. This has nothing to do with money,” he continued. “It hurts me to my heart to know that if you’re out to get one person you kill the whole department.”

Councilman Wease said, “I left the other night knowing that this was a situation that was of major concern to me.” “I came up with the average total income in this city is $710 a month and the increase needed in taxes and the raising of utility rates would be a burden on everyone. So this is the best outcome. The citizens can’t handle an increase.

After the budget was passed, the city attorney presented a first reading of the Charter Amendment and the Sheriff’s agreement which both passed 3-2 to be published and voted on in July. The vote was Mayor pro tem Jacobs, Councilwoman Alexander, and Councilman Wease for, and Councilmen Thurman and Williams against.

The Sheriff’s agreement stated, in part, that a lease agreement will be that the Sheriff is allowed to use the police station, cars, tools and equipment, and vehicles. The county will receive the finds and forfeitures, and community service to supplement funding to the sheriff’s office. The county assumes the full authority and the mayor or his designee acts as a liaison for the city and the duties have full authority originating in the city.

After the FY2015 budget was passed, citizens were allowed to comment again with most of them stating how disappointed they were with the current situation.

Dewayne Miller said, “Friends and neighbors, you are my friends and neighbors both on council and in the audience. I am very disappointed and wanted to know if you could give me a clear outline of the police department being reinstated?”

He continued, “I see that the people’s voices have not been heard.

We need a base plan for businesses or for bringing the police department back.” “When you ran you promised us that you would serve and protect the citizens. We’re just 45 minutes from Atlanta.

What do you think is going to happen when the news gets out?” “I’ve been broken into on Hillsboro Street in broad daylight. We’ve got to come up with a plan, a valid plan. We the people want a police department, we who elected you.”

“I know that the economy and these times have affected our city. To the citizens, do not hassle these people, do not harass these people. I understand and respect your decision. When we go to the polls, you’ll see what the people think at the next election.”

Ms. Smith asked who the election superintendent was if there was one needed in the event of a recall.

Keith Davis asked why there were no jobs here. He said that most of the police were African American and the sheriff’s were white. He stated that there was too much power going to the sheriff.

Nancy Johnson said that she was ashamed to call Mayor Standifer her mayor. She said that the council could not sit there and say that this was not a black and white issue. She also asked Mayor pro tem Jacobs, “Can you honestly tell me why you voted for this budget and to close the police department?”

Mayor pro tem Jacobs replied, “We are over $700,000 in the hole and there is not enough money to fill that hole. We’d have to raise city taxes and utility rates up to three times. People can’t afford it. We hear every month that the utility rates are too high, and adding $60-$75 each month. This is a way to stop inflation on utility rates. We looked over the budged and mulled over it and over it and this was the only way.” “I’m sorry its come to this, but it affects all of us. I live here too.”

Ms. Johnson said, “If we’re so broke why do you continue to stay here?” “We put you in office expecting you to do the right thing. Why do we need a city council and a mayor and Peggy?” “I’d be willing to pay $2 more and I barely make it now.”

In conclusion, Mayor Standifer said, “This is a hard decision for the council and I’ve sat in their seats. Yes. You do make your vote at the polls. I said when I ran that I wasn’t going to make decisions based on being reelected but on what I feel is best for this city.”

“I first want to commend the police and Chief Norris as he has been here since I’ve been in office. He will continue to serve this city with dignity. I and the council want to personally thank you for all that you’ve done.”

He spoke to Sheriff Donnie Pope, “As we move into this next phase I give you all of my support and know that you didn’t plan or ask for this but I appreciate and respect your professionalism and know that you will do a great job.”