Monticello City Council Votes to Create Finance Director Position

A majority of Monticello City Council members voted Tuesday to approve City Manager Angela Redding’s request for the newly created position of finance director within the city government.

The action comes after the city manager had approached the council about instituting two new positions including that of a human resource (HR)/benefits director in addition to the finance director. The idea was introduced and discussed with council members during a October 29 called meeting, noted the city manager. Those discussions resumed Tuesday amid some pro and con sentiments.

To begin the discussions, the city manager said that since beginning the job this summer she has noticed some issues that could have been avoided had finance and HR directors been utilized.

“I have assessed operations since July 2020 and have seen ways to improve and oversee the city’s $9 million budget.”

Councilman Cynthia Miller noted that she had done some research of other cities similar in size and that the finance and human resource duties were included in the city manager’s position as she felt they should be included in Mrs. Redding job responsibilities. Councilman Miller went on to say that now was not the time to institute new positions with the uncertainty of which way the country is moving and COVID-19. She went on to question where the money would come from to fund these positions.

In regards to allocating the funds for the new positions, the city manager recalled that earlier in the meeting the council allocated $5,000 to a nonprofit and moved $150,000 from Blockstream to explore avenues for another project, both of which were introduced by Councilman Miller.

“I wouldn’t bring it forth if we didn’t have the funds,” said the city manager. “I run the city like I run a household. If I see a need I try to fill it.”

Councilman David Wease said that if the city manager sees a need that the council should support her but that he believed the salaries for the two positions were too steep.

Mayor Pro Tem Gail Harrell noted that while working closely with the city manager over the past few months she had noticed several things that had fallen through the cracks that could have been avoided. She mentioned some $63,000 paid in audit funds for recent years that has yet to produce an audit. The mayor pro tem was in favor of both positions.

Councilman Jenny Murphy said she wasn’t against a finance director but doesn’t see the need of a HR director for 23 people.

Mayor Bryan Standifer, who only votes in the event of a deadlock, said that his sister has been an HR director for many years and that her opinion is that any organization with more than 10 employees and a $9 million budget needs an HR director.

The mayor pro tem made a motion to accept the creation of a finance director position at the city manager’s suggested pay range of $55,000-$60,000. That motion failed for a lack of a second.

Councilman Miller noted that everyone should keep in mind the extra costs associated with employees such as social security, Medicare and insurance.

Councilman Wease then made a motion to begin vetting for a finance director with a salary range of $45,000-$52,000. With a second, that motion was approved by a 3-2 vote of council with Councilmen Miller and Larry Thurman casting the dissenting votes.

With regards to the HR position, Mrs. Harrell made a motion to approve that position at the same rate of pay as the finance director. The motion received no second and the position was not authorized.

Several other funding requests were the topic of discussion Tuesday evening. The first of which was providing extra funds to the Get Ahead House. Councilman Miller suggested funding the nonprofit at $5,000. She said the monies were needed for salaries and food with rising costs during the pandemic.

Mayor Pro Tem Harrell asked if the organization was a nonprofit why was the city funding it and Councilman Murphy recalled that last year the Food Bank asked for funds and were denied as a nonprofit.

The city manager said that the city’s contract with the organization states that it must submit a report of how the funds are spent. The motion to fund the GAH was approved unanimously.

The council also unanimously approved another citizen give back of $100 on utilities. Councilman Wease proposed the initiative as a way to help the city’s customers as the holidays approach.

The movement of $150,000 from the Blockstream account to a new account for the Mine Lake property was approved 4-1 with mayor pro tem casting the dissenting vote. Councilman Miller said that Mine Lake was an asset not being utilized which could benefit the community. After some discussion about possible plans for developing the property, the council took action. The city manager informed the council that the city’s insurance company has planned a November 17 visit to inspect the property.

Council members recognized city employee Kelly Bell for 10 years of service and made preparations for the annual Thanksgiving luncheon and Christmas bonuses.

Also approved was a resolution to recertify the City of Monticelllo as a City of Ethics with the Georgia Municipal Association.

City Clerk Karen Pennamon and Mayor Standifer were authorized as officers of depositor on the city’s Bank of Monticello account.

The city manager’s report included an update on renaming Blue Ruin Street; pot hole repairs; grass cutting at GAH; census 2020 update; Bonner Street bridge; voting runoff for January 5, 2021; College Street paving in process; and the closing of the city offices on Veteran’s Day.

Michele Celani, Downtown Development Authority director, informed the council of recent developments with the organization. The Shoppes of Monticello opened its doors on Saturday with sales of $2,600 from 27 vendors, she announced. A new business currently occupies the basement of the DDA building and she told council that the Georgia Trust Organization was making a 2021 award to the Old Methodist Church for historic preservation.

Chamber of Commerce Director Mandi Tanner noted that local tourism had picked up with the office around 6,000 visitors for the year. She announced that Citizen and Business of the Year forms were ready while also noting a new stipulation to be nominated includes being a chamber member. She informed council members of the First Friday Breakfast on December 4, Shoppes of Monticello ribbon cutting on November 12, Shop Small Saturday on November 28, and Artist Sunday on November 29.

Historic Preservation Commission Director David Thompson reported to council that there had been three applications recently reviewed. They included a garage on Forsyth Street, window renovation on College Street, and a building renovation on Warren Street which was granted an exception for an outside structure.

William Gibson provided the invocation and sole citizen comment thanking those that thought of him during his recent illness.

Prior to concluding the meeting, Mayor Pro Tem posed the question as to which entity controls the Square. The city manager replied that the city owns the Square and the chamber aids in overseeing its usage for events.