In its regular meeting on March 13, 2018, the Eutaw City Council agreed to pay bills and enact some important policy decisions.
The Council agreed to transfer $50,000 from its Capital Improvement Fund to the General Fund to pay routine bills and obligations for the month of February and those received during the first part of March.
Councilwoman Sheila Smith voted against the transfer of the funds, which she feels should be retained and used only for capital improvements as originally planned. The funds in the city’s Capital Improvement Fund were derived from electronic bingo funds provided to the City under the administration of Constitutional Amendment 743, permitting bingo in Greene County.
The Council approved a policy for the provision of public records to individuals, businesses and organizations and a form to request public records such as meeting minutes, ordinances, licenses, permits, front side of arrest records; original bids and documents on the awarding of contracts; and names, titles, resumes and compensation of city employees. There will be a $25 per hour research fee and 25 cents a page for any copies to be made as a result of request for information.
Agreements between the City and the Greene County Emergency Management Agencies to provide the City Hall and National Guard Amory facilities when needed, in an emergency, as health care and community shelter facilities, in the event of a biological, chemical or other attack on Greene County, were approved by the Eutaw City Council.
The City Council also agreed to approve the July 20-22, 2018 weekend, as a Sales Tax Holiday for the purchase of school related clothing and supplies before the start of school in August.
Mayor Steele reported that he was closing out the water improvement project and that the County Extension Service had helped plant crepe myrtle trees around the lagoon and other places in the city

In the public comments section of the meeting, Sheila Smith asked that the city utility workers check Gilbert Norwood’s water meter at 509 Johnson Street since it seems to be too deep in the ground. Latasha Johnson asked for water for gardens. LaJeffrey Carpenter said there were continuing drainage problems on O’Neal Street and there was a need for a refuse site within Raintree Apartments so trash was not placed at the roadside.
A request was made by the Cub Scouts to get use of the National Guard Armory on Saturday, March 31 for an Easter Carnival, at the non-profit organization facility use rate. This was approved.
Molly Rowe, Director of the Eutaw Housing Authority reported that some of the buildings were re-roofed in Carver Circle and that the City Inspector was to be commended for working with the contractors on this project. The City Housing Authority held a poster art contest around the theme “What Home Means To Me”. Ms. Rowe requested to display some of the artwork in City Hall. The Mayor agreed to the art exhibit provided that non-paint removing tape was used to hang the artwork.
Evelyn Isaac Esson complained that the management at the Eutaw Elderly Village was threatening residents and had placed bed-bug infested furniture on the street without proper notice that may have endangered the public. Jerome Esson asked the city to check his new water meter to determine if it was correctly installed.
David Spencer tried to be recognized for a public comment but the Mayor did not recognize him.