Council Approves $12 Million Budget

The Monticello City Council approved a 2024-2025 fiscal year budget of $12,105,760 and rollback millage rate of 3.53 during Tuesday’s regular business meeting.

The budget includes $751,399 for the street department; $211,814 for solid waste; $45,100 for the Get Ahead House; $124,830 for parks; $75,000 for code enforcement; $257,800 for sewer; $849,508 for the water plant; $635,322 for water distribution; $3.1 million for electric; $1.1 million for gas; $202,555 for operating transfers; $7,250 for general engineering; $238,473 for maintenance and shop; $777,037 for financial; $180,087 for executive; and $3.4 million for legislative. The budget figures are available for viewing on the city of Monticello’s website, according to City Manager LaThaydra Sands.

Some citizens had an issue with the budget being approved that had not been publicized at which point they were informed that the draft budget had been available online for review.

Other approved items include a requested speed bump on Julia Street, which was requested by a street resident who noted speeders along the road; three reappointments to the Historic Preservation Commission including David Thompson, Dianne Parker, and Zach Middleton; Telecom preliminary final settlement of $10,824; installation of a new fire panel at the Get Ahead House for $5,899; and the purchase of a new city vehicle from Covington Ford not to exceed $37,966.

The full panel of council members also approved memorandums of understanding for the Chamber of Commerce and Get Ahead House, both with no text changes from the previous year.

Several facility requests were approved including a Sands Drive Park reservation for October 26 for an October Fest event; a Funderburg Drive block closure for a Street Eat event moved from June 15 to July 20; the use of council chambers for Jasper Senior Center bingo fundraiser on July 27; and a Springfield Baptist Church picnic road closure for June 15.

Several agenda items were tabled including the 911 Authorty Board appointments, Towee Street repair, and a generator for Spruce Street.

During Citizen Comment, Tammy Parks Knight requested a trim back of trees on a property and urged council members to provide the electric department with the funds needed to work properly.

Roberta Anderson asked for a speed bump on Frobel Street which would curb some of the speeding problems on Julia Street as well.

Sheila Pounds, who spoke to the council as a citizen not a commissioner, thanked the council for their support of Juneteenth. She clarified that her surname is Pounds, not Jones, and said she was glad to see councilman Larry Thurman back to the council from an extended illness and wished him well.

Ms. Pounds also noted that she was sad to see that the council was not funding the library which citizens need and use. She closed with thanking and blessing each council member for their service.

Council Updates included Gail Harrell announcing a Beautify Monticello clean up day for Saturday, June 15 beginning at 8 a.m. She also reported that she had attended a grant writing seminar hosted by the Dept. of Natural Resources and learned that the federal government offers a lot of money to improve parks.

When reminded by Council member Jenny Murphy, Mrs. Harrell announced Musical Theater Camp set for June 24-29. She thanked Melissa Strozier for signing up youth from her summer camp at theater camp and bringing a lot of talent. She also said it was good to see Mr. Thurman in his seat on council.

Mayor Pro Tem Doug Currie announced the Cruise In planned for this weekend on the Square has been postponed.