Monticello Council Again Discusses Police Cars, Raises and More

Members of the Monticello City Council discussed many recurring topics during their regular meeting Tuesday.

The council discussed giving the employees raises and how soon those raises could be implemented.

During the budget meetings, there was $46,000 available in the contingency account that was not earmarked for anything but the idea was that each city employee would receive a three percent raise.

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Councilman Cornell Williams brought the item before the council saying that “some employees hadn’t gotten raises in as many as six years. The cost of living continues to go up, but nothing has been done to offset that,” said the councilman.

Mayor Pro Tem Bobby Jacobs commented that the council would have to go in and amend the budget. He said that “whenever we [the City] get a little bit ahead we want to spend that little bit that we’ve got.”

Mayor Bryan Standifer told the council that the raises would be $45,000 and change and that would be most of the contingency.

There was no agreement made, so the council will discuss raises during a work session, Tuesday Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. before their regular business meeting.

During the police chief’s report given by Chief Bobby Norris, he said that he was out two cars—a white one and his car—being that they had both broken down over the last two weeks. He said that he currently had three vehicles operational and officers were riding “piggyback” two in one car last night.

After much heated discussion amongst the council, Mayor Standifer asked that the chief bring to the council an informational packet with mileage, cars, maintenance costs, and some of the estimates that he can get on new or pre-owned cars for replacement.

Councilmen Williams and Strozier were adamant that police cars had been discussed for the last 18 months with no decision ever being made, and now it was a must. “We knew this was coming,” said councilman Williams. The council agreed to have a called meeting Thursday, July 18, at 6 p.m. to see what the chief found and to further discuss the police car situation.

City Manager Tim Sweezey asked the council for direction during his report. He said that “there are a lot of things still on the table, and we’re not moving on any of them.” Mr. Sweezey was referencing that the city shop, the pay raises, and sidewalks were all discussed but as of yet, no decisions or votes had been made.

“We’ve got to do something, and I’m at the council’s discretion,” said Mr. Sweezey.

The council recognized the Monticello Garden Club and presented the members present with a proclamation from the mayor and the city, “commending the Monticello Garden Club for its continued care of the Square that has both beautified and improved the city.”

Mrs. Mary Lou Jordan said that one reason the Garden Club is so successful is because Dorsey’s Landscaping donates the needed chemicals.

The council also discussed sidewalks further and voted to choose the least expensive option which is sidewalks from Funderburg Park to West View Park, with some additions.

They also appointed both Mayor Pro Tem Jacobs and Councilman Larry Thurman to the Jasper Co. EMS Advisory Committee. The county is forming a committee of nine people from throughout the county to study the Emergency Medical Service and make recommendations for how to improve the service, including whether to privatize.