City Approves Drawdown

Members of the Monticello City Council voted 3-2 to drawdown $250,000 from the Municipal Competitive Trust to pay existing bills that have become behind. According to Mayor Pro-tem Bobby Jacobs, “This is not what I want to do, but there is currently not enough money for monthly bills, and this drawdown is more than we have done in the past.”

He noted that the employee retirement fund and health insurance payments are past due, along with sums to U.S. Bank, BB&T, Jasper Co. Public Works, the city insurance and workman’s compensations. There was also documentation of both the electric and gas departments being in a shortfall.

Mayor Pro-tem Jacobs stated that “this is an opportunity to drawdown this money, to get us even and sit afresh and on top of those bills.” The motion to accept the drawdown was made by Councilman David Wease, seconded by Mr. Jacobs. The vote had those two and Councilwoman Alexander for and Councilmen Larry Thurman and Cornell Williams against.

City Manager, Peggy Billerman stated, “there is always a cash flow problem this time of year. Utility bills are not generating any revenue.” Ms. Billerman stated that the only other way to generate was to raise utilities. “It’s not something that I want to do but our revenue sources are limited, so that is what we have until we find another revenue source.”

Councilman Cornell Williams said, “didn’t we just increase utilities?” To which Ms. Billerman replied yes, meter fees that generated $80,000.

Councilwoman Katherine Alexander said, “This is the same thing that we said when we paid off the water bonds, and we’re still not in the clear. It goes against everything in my being to use that money set aside.” She asked if there was any way to put in the monies collected from taxes beginning in September into contingency and not use it for anything else.

Councilman Thurman asked if this was approved, would it be back before council again in the next few months? Councilman David Wease noted that being four months behind was “irresponsible.”

Mayor Pro-tem Jacobs tried to explain that there was a budgeted drawdown from the Trust four times a year. This year’s drawdown was just over $43,000 per drawdown, and this exception would be more than that. The remaining balance in the Trust after this drawdown would be about $500,000. The Trust takes in roughly $25,000 per month, according to Mr. Jacobs and the funds would be put back in once cash flow increased.

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After an executive session at the end of the meeting for personnel and litigation, the City Council offered Peggy Billerman the City Manager position with a salary of $57,200 and back pay for services rendered in the amount of $3,920.

The council heard some good news from former mayor Glenn Newsome regarding the Jasper County Library. Mr. Newsome thanked the council for their service and their financial support for the library and said that the library was currently open seven days a week with free WiFi available 24/7. Mr. Newsome provided a flyer on the increase in the library’s numbers as far as the Summer Reading Program, wireless usage, computer usage, circulation, patron visits and library cards.

The council voted to accept the low bid of $221,368.38 from Mid-State Construction & Striping out of Perry for the total replacement of traffic and safety signs throughout the city, as well as some necessary striping. This is money given to the City through a Safety Enhancement Grant. The project is set to be completed in 90 days.

The Council also heard from Jason Parr, pastor of The Church at Monticello and proprietor of SunRise Gifts and Thrift on the lease payment for their facility. Mr. Parr stated that he was looking to expand due to the growth of the business and the youth programs.

He said that he currently paid $1,320 per month and was originally contracted with the Downtown Development Authority.

He said that he was looking at the space next door (formerly the Chinese restaurant) that had been vacated for expansion, but in order to do that he was requesting his lease be lowered to $900 per month for at least the next two years stating that through research he learned that the current liability on the building was $850. He also told council that he was willing to sign a five year lease and work back up to the $1,320.

Councilwoman Alexander asked about the roof and AC repairs, stating that “$50 per month extra is not enough should something happen to the building.” She also mentioned that the insurance ran about $1,200.

Councilman Wease commented that “we [the city] are not in a position to take in less revenue than we’re currently taking in.” Councilman Williams piggybacked saying, “just a couple of meetings ago we were hard for money.”

The council voted to table this until further numbers and documents could be sought on the building.

The council voted on several issues to go into committee and to be discussed during a called meeting Friday, Aug. 22 at 5:30 p.m. and included, Advanced Disposal services for limbs and leaf pick-up; Ben’s Tree Service doing landscape and maintenance; and the city’s personnel policy regarding paid time off, sick leave and vacation.

The council heard from Waymon Cody as far as the de-chlorination process for the water plant and were updated as to the process to clear all chlorine before the water returns to the creeks. He stated that an evaluation had been done and recommendations sent to the state for permission on how this process can comply with standards as well as be cost effective. He said that he was currently waiting on the state’s recommendation before anything was done. He said that they were looking to using ultraviolet light.

The council also voted to repair the eight porch uprights as they have rotted at the Get Ahead House for $875, the low bid by Michael Walsh and to get the van repaired for $476.