Council Names City Manager
A quorum of Monticello City Council members approved the selection of Timothy Young as the new city manager during Tuesday evening’s brief regular meeting.
The vote passed 3-0 with approvals from Mayor Pro Tem Stone Workman, Jenny Murphy, and David Wease as Cynthia Miller abstained from the vote. Mayor Bryan Standifer and Larry Thurman were not present.
Also approved was the request for an alcohol, beer, and wine pouring license for the Taqueria La Eskina restaurant located on the square at 107 West Washington Street. Co-owner Dayana Barragan was present for the public hearing and told the council that as a local resident who went to school in Monticello and grew up here, she wanted to operate a family business here as well. Without any public opposition, the request was approved unanimously.
Council members also agreed to approve the Department of Family & Children Services (DFCS) occupation lease in the City Government Complex. The terms of the lease have been in the works since 2014, according to interim city manager Peggy Billerman. The lease consists of 8,600 square feet with an initial one year term with an option of eight renewals at $6,027 per month.
Additionally, the council approved the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for the sale of excess power. The agreement, reviewed and approved by city attorney Joe Reitman, involves the cities of Monticello, Adel, Barnesville, Forsyth, Jackson, Sylvania and Fitzgerald.
Mr. Workman announced that qualifying for the November 2019 elections of Mayor Pro Tem, Council members District 1 & 2 will begin Monday, August 19 at 8:30 a.m. and conclude on Thursday, August 22 at 12:30 p.m. qualifying fees are $216 for mayor pro tem and $162 for council members.
During the city manager’s report it was noted that a street sweeper equipment demonstration is planned for Friday, July 12 on Tanyard Street beginning at 10 a.m. Also, that DyShon Norwood and Damian Tripp had submitted a request for use of Funderburg Park on July 28 for the second annual back to school rally.
During citizen’s comments, Monticello resident Bobby Sutton spoke to the council noting that over the years he had his “ups and downs with the council” but that he enjoyed it as they would not being seeing him as much as he plans to take increased personal time.
The Mayor Pro Tem introduced two new resolutions, that were tabled for further review, to the council. The first resolution involved the appointment of at least one city resident to the county governing boards including the Jasper County Development Authority, Jasper County Water and Sewer Authority, and the Jasper County Board of Assessors. The second resolution involved a request for Georgia representative Susan Holmes and Senator Burt Jones to investigate the assessment valuations of city properties versus the county’s.
Mr. Workman said that the city has less than one percent of the land mass of the county yet is 15 percent of total county tax assessments. He went on to say that he does not like the metrics being used when evaluating the city’s assessments.
“Something is not right about the assessments this year,” said Mr. Workman.
