City Council Approves Policies

Monticello City Council members approved a handful of office policies Tuesday evening with a few others requiring a review by council members.

First approved was making any application fee for city services non-refundable after the initial 24 hours once the fee has been paid and processed by the office. A revision of the human resource policy was approved with two amendments pertaining to workplace violence and holidays. A GPS tracking policy, fuel card policy, and utility policy amendment were approved with minimal discussion as well.

Council members approved an updated travel policy but there was some discussion about receipt reimbursements. Council member Cynthia Miller questioned the issue of the mayor getting reimbursed for travel not previosuly authorized by the council. After some discussion and possible scenarios, the issue dissolved and council voted 4-1 to approve an amendment to accept receipts for meal reimbursements.

Two policies, cell phone and vehicle, were tabled for further review at the March 21 called meeting which was initially scheduled for annexation approval and liquor licenses prior to the policy approvals. Council member Jenny Murphy has expressed an interest in reviewing the original policies, if ones existed, before approving the new one. She had questions about the cell phone policy and Mrs. Miller had questions about the vehicle policy.

Following an executive session to discuss personnel during which council was to discuss employee transfers and the city manager’s contract, council approved the transfer of two employees. Frank Dumas will be transferred from the maintenance department to the electric department and Jodari Stone will transfer from the water department to meter reader. No action was taken on the city manager’s contract.

Also approved were repairs to Sanders Height and Kelly Lane for repaving. Houston Asphalt will complete the projects at $15,400 for Sanders Height and $1,800 for Kelly Lane.

Council approved the funding for the utility building with $82,000 from SPLOST funds and the remining from Block Strem funding.