Greene County Democrat

Tag: Team Eutaw

  • Mayor Latasha Johnson announces bid for re-election

    Today, I am officially announcing my campaign for re-election to the Office of Mayor of the City of Eutaw, Alabama. It has been a privilege and honor to hold this position since November of 2020. Following my election, I did my best to put together a team (TEAM EUTAW) of people and citizens, who would work together to continue moving this city forward. While there have been some problems and difficult times there have also been some accomplishments and successes that far exceed difficulties.
    These are some of the challenges that we faced and how Team Eutaw addressed these: Eutaw Water Department’s revenue was down due to the billing system. Over 100 customers were not billed due to meter issues. We were able to correct these issues and tripled our water revenues. The city was in debt with IRS (over) $300.000 lien on the city, and with the help of staff, our financial advisors (Ralph Liverman), CPA (Rob Person), and Sheriff Joe Benison, we were able to resolve these issues.
    Our city suffered through severe weather conditions, including three tornadoes and other strong wind storms. Thankfully, there were no fatalities, but tremendous amounts of property damage to several homes, buildings, and excessive amount of trees and limbs damage throughout the city. FEMA was some help, but a large amount of the expenses fell on the city.
    The City paid off the debt on the former Carver School facility. Partnering with the County and the Industrial Development Authority, we completed Streetscape Project which resulted in new sidewalks with railings, curbs, gutters, and an area for beautification downtown. This project started under former Mayor Raymond Steele. 
 The City installed streetlights on Exit I- 20/59 (Love truck stop exit). We secured a $500,000 loan from Merchant and Farmers Bank to purchase street sweeper, boom debris pickup truck, water/street department work trucks, police cars, a new Fire Truck ($250,000) The last payment of that loan will be in September 2025. The City purchased the former Lon Grubbs building for future police department and storage of records. We partnered with the Town of Boligee and secured over $ 9 million dollars in grant monies from ADEM to fix water lines, lift stations, water tanks and pumping station.
    I am asking citizens of Eutaw to please RE- ELECT me (Latasha Johnson) as Mayor. I will continue my team work to improve roads, bridges, draining ditches, restoring old sidewalks/curbs, demolishing old overgrown houses/buildings. I will also work very hard for recreational activities for our children. As a community, we will continue to work together to grow our City; therefore, I am asking the citizens of Eutaw to please re-elect me (Latasha Johnson) for Mayor of Eutaw for 4 more years and I will continue to build up our city.

  • Eutaw Mayor Johnson gives first State of the City Address, listing specific fixes and improvements

    Mayor Lastasha Johnson

    Eutaw Mayor Latasha Johnson created another first for the City of Eutaw by delivering a very detailed State of the City address at a community luncheon held Friday, November 19, 2021, at the R.H. Young Community Center (the former Carver school).
    The mayor prefaced her comments with reflections on her upbringing. “ I was raised in Eutaw in Carver Circle. I learned the value of hard work at an early age and I continue to maintain a strong work ethic. I want to see the city that raised me and made me who I am today, thrive and grow.”
    Mayor Johnson served four years on the Eutaw City Council before seeking the mayor’s position.
    In her address she provided a summary of the troubled areas of the city government that existed when she came into office. “The previous administration ended with a majority of the police officers resigning, the water department having several ADEM violations, our city property with an IRS tax lien, and a lack of office personnel to handle the day-to-day operations of the city, no budget or financial plan”
    The Mayor’s report also listed the various improvements she and her Team Eutaw have put in place in the previous year. “We have resolved the IRS lien, after fines, penalties and interest of a quarter million dollars. We have a new city clerk. We have implemented and updated a city website and Facebook page. We have a new phone system and internet set up which is expected to reduce expenses by as much as $40,000 each year. We have worked on a community notification system and implemented a new budgeting and financial management system that will keep us on budget,” she said. The mayor noted that her administration was the first to have a budget passed in many years.
    According to Mayor Johnson, the city’s revenue for the past year fiscal year was nearly $1.2 million, nearly doubling that of several previous years, and boasting a $260,000 surplus.
    The mayor discussed other improvements brought about by her administration as listed below:
    Hired a full time water and wastewater operator, and other employees including police officers a Park and Recreation Director, additional magistrates.
    * Provided pay raises for city employees.
    * Obtained new vehicles and equipment, including a street sweeper, grapple truck
    * Secured a $500,000 grant for the Eutaw Airport Authority.
    * Working to provide the first independent audit of city finances in eight years.
    * Working hard to bring openness and transparency to City Hall with online meetings and community engagements.
    * Resumed relations with the Chamber of Commerce, the Industrial Development Authority, and neighboring municipalities.
    * Supporting Greene County E911.
    Installed online payments and auto pay for the first time.
    Upgraded all technology.
    City will secure a new garbage company.
    Cancelled unnecessary contracts and reduced expenses.
    Mayor Johnson extended special appreciation to the various individuals who worked tirelessly to bring about the changes and adjustments needed to put the city on the right track. “ I want to thank everyone, the police officers, office staff, the street workers, city council and citizens who have been instrumental in making my first year in office a hugh success. I could not have done any of this without you. I am thankful and humbled by your hard work,” she stated.