Greene County Democrat

Tag: Zane Willingham

  • Eutaw City Council approves purchase of 200 new water meters to replace those that are not working properly

    The Eutaw City Council met on February 10, 2026, for its first regular meeting of the month. Mayor Cockrell and all council members were present.
    The Council approved purchase of 200 new Neptune Procorder R9000 water meters for the Water Department at a cost of $34,400 or $ 172 per meter. These meters will be used to replace meters that were installed improperly and meters that are not functioning properly. This will insure that the Water Department will be getting accurate readings and can bill residents correctly for the water they are using.
    The Council also approved $16,000 for purchase of an 8 inch UME Machid R900 water pump for the well no.4 on the Lower Gainesville Road. The pump meter had to be replaced to insure a continuing flow of water into the system. This is the type of continuing maintenance and repair that the Water Department is responsible to make and pay for out of water bill revenues.
    The Council heard from a representative of ETA Data Systems on their software to operate the Water Department billing. The Council is trying to see which software and billing system is most compatible and cost effective for their operations. It was the consensus of the Council members that both companies bring a demonstration of their system and allow the staff that will actually be using the software, to test it out and determine which will serve their needs in the best way.
    The Council voted to accept a lease addendum on property owned by the City and Long and Huffed Farms, for $3,000 annually, for the location of a Ferrell Gas Company Tank on the Lock 7 road. The details of the lease were worked out by the parties in consultation with Zane Willingham, the city’s legal counsel.
    The Council tabled action on a resolution to engage Shuyron Macon of Knight and Day Group LLC, a Houston, Texas based law firm, specializing in municipal bond financing for smaller size cities, like Eutaw, Alabama, to do a study of the economic feasibility and constraints on the city in issuing bonds to finance longer term repairs to roads, infrastructure and buildings in the city. The City’s legal counsel also had some questions and concerns about the agreement, which need to be worked out. Council members agreed to consider these issues in the next work session, which is scheduled for February 17, 2026.
    In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:
    • Approved Mandatory Skidcar Training for Police officers on February 23 and 27 in Montgomery, Alabama.
    • Approved voting delegates for the Alabama League of Municipalities. Mayor Cockrell will be the Voting Delegate, Tracey Hunter will be first alternative and Carrie Logan will be second voting delegate.
    • Approved payment of bills including a revised AT&T invoice for telephone services.

    Mayor Cockrell reported that he was working on a master plan for the repair of roads, bridges and drainage in the city. He is also working on a plan to improve the buildings and infrastructure owned by the city including City Hall, Lock 7 Park, the Robert H. Young Community Center and the National Guard Armory. More information on these plans will be provided as they are developed and funds are identified and secured to finance the updating and repairs to these city owned assets and properties.

  • Eutaw City Council holds routine monthly meetings in April 2025

    Trash collected in downtown Eutaw on Saturday April 12, Clean-up Day sponsored by Eutaw City Council, Eutaw Garden Club and other volunteers

    By John Zippert, Co-Publisher

    This is a report of three meetings that the Eutaw City Council held during April 2025, the regular meetings on April 8 and 21 and a work session on April 15, 2025. The Eutaw City Council handled mostly routine business as well as a continuing argument over the best use of financial resources.
    The Council adopted a Boligee and Eutaw Area Strategic Plan for 2025-2029 as a guideline and goals for future projects to support community improvement and economic growth over the next five years. The plan document was and prepared by the Delta Regional Authority with funding from Hope Enterprise Corporation. Engagement, writing and graphic design were completed by the Delta Design Build Workshop (Delta DB).
    The City Council tabled this item in its April 8 meeting but approved it at the meeting on April 21, which gave members time to read and study the document. Some members were concerned that the plan might obligate the City to matching funds on projects for which it does not have funds on hand. Mayor Latasha Johnson clarified that the Strategic Plan was a guide to needed economic development, infrastructure, cultural and arts projects which would assist the city’s growth and development in the upcoming years. Copies are available through City Hall.
    An agenda item that appeared in all three meetings concerned budget compliance for the General Fund and raises for city employees or laying off employees and return to a 40-hour work week. This agenda item was tabled in all three meetings pending a report through March 31,2025, half of the fiscal year, on the city finances and recommendations by the city’s Financial Adviser, Ralph Liverman. Some council members want Liverman to appear in person, so their will be no misunderstandings about his recommendations.
    Mayor Johnson said that she kept employees, on the 32-hour schedule, to keep within the budget guidelines and not layoff staff. Council members Hunter and Woodruff were arguing that their interpretation of Liverman’s advice was that they should layoff staff and return to the 40-hour schedule to be in budgetary compliance. This matter was tabled until the March 31 financial report and budgetary adjustments and recommendations are available.
    Another financial issue that came before the City Council, at all three meetings, was the disposition of two checks ($146,103.69 and $28,286.48) totaling $ !74,390.17, from the Alabama Examiner of Public Accounts from an audit of the Greene County ad valorem tax collections June 24, 2017 through June 26,2023, including some checks paid to the City that were outstanding and needed to be replaced. Councilman Woodruff asserted that these tax funds, which were an unexpected windfall, should be set aside in the Capital Improvements Fund for later use when the city’s financial status was clearer. The City Clerk explained that she used some of the funds to pay bills and that these funds will be reimbursed to the City from various construction projects. Woodruff also wanted to retain the funds to pay off the most recent loan to the City, at 6.5% interest, which he characterized as very high and expensive. This issue was postponed until there was a more accurate picture of the city’s finances, possibly after the March 31 financial report.
    In other business, the Eutaw City Council:
    • Approved a resolution for Zane Willingham, City Attorney, to represent the City in civil asset forfeitures of less than $5,000 on a contingency basis.
    • Approved a 020-Restaurant Retail Liquor License for the King and Queen Cantina on Boligee Street in Eutaw.
    • Approved Ordinance no. 2025-4 setting qualification fees for Mayor and City Council candidates in the upcoming municipal elections.
    • Approved Resolution 2025-3 for the 2025 “Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday on July 18-20, 2025.
    • Approved purchasing of dirt to repair the City Park Baseball Field.
    • Approved T&H Services for a contract to remove trash on Park Avenue.
    • Approved payment of bills.
    The City Water Clerk reported $132,291 in revenues for March 2025; as compared to March 2024 – $102,740, March 2023 of $113,365, March 2022 of $117,585. This means the increase in water rates is generating $20,000+ in revenues each month toward increasing expenses.
    Tommy Johnson, Chief of Police, reported that he had scheduled a special training class for women on the use of guns, for Saturday May 24, 2025, with registration at 7:45 AM and starting time at 8:00 AM at City Hall. The training will include a visit to the shoot range for practice in shooting. It also will include safety and maintenance of weapons.
    Several councilmembers complained of large potholes in city streets that need to be repaired. The Mayor said she had a long list of street repair projects which she was working on as fast as she could with limited resources for materials and staff.
    The Mayor thanked the Eutaw Garden Club for co-sponsoring the City Clean-up Day on Saturday, April 12, 2025.

  • Eutaw City Council approves supplemental request for water system and does not act on employee raises

    Eutaw Police Chief Tommy Johnson joined by Mayor and City Council awards March “Employee of the Month” to Officer Mandre Adams

    By John Zippert, Co-Publisher

    This is a report of the meetings of the Eutaw City Council during the month of March. There were regular meetings on March 11 and 25 and a work session on March 24, 2025. The agenda for both regular meetings were similar, and some actions deferred or tabled at the first monthly meeting were completed at the second meeting. All three of the meetings were well attended with Mayor Latasha Johnson and all five council members present.
    At its March 25th meeting, the Eutaw City Council heard a progress report from Angela Henline, engineer with the Cassady Company in Northport. Henline reported that the four basic water improvement contracts had been completed for metering, monitoring and flush requirements. She reported that the Boligee Water Tank Rehabilitation was complete, which means Boligee will have a water reserve if problems occur in other parts of the system.
    She reported that the water backflow preventers had been installed for all system customers and that the 16-inch water main to connect Boligee to Brush Creek, as part of the Eutaw and Boligee water system was 80% complete. Improvements to the joint Eutaw-Boligee wastewater system are also underway starting with the pumping stations connecting Boligee and points in between with the lagoon in Eutaw.
    Engineer Henline asked the Eutaw City Council to approve submission of a supplemental request for $2.69 million dollars to replace the 16-inch water main from Lola Wallace Young Road to Brush Creek and install diesel generators for wells no. 4 and 5, in case of a power outage. She also requested a change order to use remaining funds in Wastewater contract B, to replace the Branch Heights Pumping Station. The Council approved requesting these supplemental funds and the change order.
    Henline said that ADEM would inform the City Council when other funds were available for the completion of other steps to improve the water and wastewater systems of Boligee and Eutaw.
    On items of Old Business, City Attorney, Zane Willingham explained that no action was needed on the right of way plans of Alabama Fiber Network, since the Eutaw City Council had passed an ordinance which included approval of these plans. The Council agreed to provide a streetlight near 415 Eatman Avenue at the request of Nicolas and Akira Spencer. The Mayor said that based on finances the city budget could not afford to respond to every request for additional street lighting. The Council voted to approve the request because a light on the street was damaged by last year’s storms and never replaced.
    Mayor Latasha Johnson said she had conducted an evaluation of each city employee as a requirement for providing them raises. She asked the Council to consider a raise between 50 cents and a dollar an hour. No one on the Council would make a motion for a raise for employees.
    In her report, later in the meeting, Mayor Johnson expressed disappointment that the council members would not consider a raise, since they raised the salaries of next incoming council from $300 to $800 a month. Councilwomen Tracey Hunter said that they were following the recommendation of City Financial Advisor, Ralph Liverman, who said not to raise salaries until later in the year when the fund balances were clearer.
    Mayor Johnson noted that Liverman also recommended against raising the next council’s salaries, but the council did it anyway. Councilman Wofford said that Liverman advised the Mayor to layoff city employees to meet budgetary goals and then consider raises. The Mayor said she would not lay employees off and found a way to modify the budget to keep existing employees employed. The disagreement over raises continues to divide the Mayor and Council.
    The Council approved the members of the City Zoning Board. Cynthia Cooper, John Zippert, Corey Cockrell and Shirley Edwards were re-appointed. Jacqueline Stewart, a former council member was added to the board. Four members of the Cemetery Committee were re-appointed including Sharon Trammel, Joseph Fricks, Linda Wheat, and Connie Tyree. They join Suzette Powell, who was recently appointed to a four-year term.
    Mayor Johnson named John Cashin to replace Reginald Cheatem for a two-year term on the Eutaw Airport Authority at the March 11 meeting. At the March 25th meeting, the Mayor reappointed John Darden, Danny Cooper and Jim Logan to the Airport Authority. They join Billy Mingles, Joe Powell and Collin McRae whose terms are not up for reappointment.
    In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:
    • Agreed to temporally close the Robert H. Young Community Center to assess repairs that are needed to improve the building and eliminate health hazards,
    • Approved travel for various officials and employees to attend training conferences,
    • Approved Mayor Johnson to accept bids for the repair of restrooms in the City Hall and to make them handicapped accessible.
    • Remove the Chief of Police from the signatories on the DARES account.
    • Approved amendment to the resolution and policies about police cars being used by officers to drive to their home addresses.
    • Approved use of the R. H. Young Community Center Gymnasium for Sam Marsonek (Baseball Country) on Sunday afternoons in April and May, for no charge.
    • Approve payment of bills.

  • Eutaw City Council agrees to declare the R. H. Young Community Center as surplus, as a step toward sale of the property

    Police Officer Tyler Johnson named ‘Officer of the Year” . L to R. are Councilwoman Tracey Hunter, Police Chief Tommy Johnson, Councilwoman Valerie Watkins, Officer Tyler Johnson, Mayor Latasha Johnson, Councilwoman Suzette Powell, and Councilman Jonathan Woodruff.

     

    By John Zippert, Co-Publisher

    In response to financial and budgetary pressures, the Eutaw City Council met on December 10, Dec. 17 and in a working session on December 12, to deal with several issues related to the projected deficit in the current Fiscal Year (2024-25) finances. Mayor Latasha Johnson and the Eutaw City Council differ on the best approaches to the financial problems.

    Councilmembers led by Jonathan Woodruff and Tracey Hunter feel the city must curb expenses, layoff workers and sell properties that are not financially sustainable, to avoid deficits. The Mayor argues that she has faith the city will grow and provide new revenues to sustain the workforce, make necessary improvements and hold on to properties like the R. H. Young Community Center. Mayor Johnson also argues that the mayor oversees “day-to-day operations”, which includes hiring and firing of employees to accomplish the on-going tasks of city administration.

    The Council voted unanimously at its December 17 meeting to declare the Robert H. Young Community Center as surplus property, so it can be sold. The City of Eutaw purchased the school from the Greene County Board of Education for $200,000 in the prior city administration of Raymond Steele. The Council’s intention was to develop the former Carver School as a community center, with spaces rented to community organizations and small businesses. While the school, especially the gymnasium has been used for meetings and funerals, the facility has not generated enough income to pay utility, maintenance and repair costs.

    The Mayor stated the city needs a community center and the Greene County Commission may be interested in buying the facility or working together with the city in its development as a community center for all county residents. Councilman Woodruff says, “There is a lack of trust between the city and county because the county did not honor its commitment to put up $70,000 for the matching funds for the Street Scape
    Project to remodel the sidewalks around the old Courthouse Square in downtown Eutaw.”

    Woodruff continued, “We are willing to sell the property to the County at its current appraised value, but I do not think we can work together with them since we have financial problems and no funds for a community center.” Many community residents feel the best way to proceed would be a joint effort of the city and the county seeking public and private grant funds to develop a comprehensive community center out of the old Carver school.

    The City of Eutaw was able to borrow funds from Merchants and Farmers Bank to cover the shortfalls in matching funds for the Street Scape and West End Avenue repaving projects. The City committed funds from its State of Alabama 4-cent and 7-cent roadway repair funds to repay the loan.

    The Mayor presented a revised fiscal year 2024-25 fiscal budget, where she moved expenses around from some funding to repair the old E-911 building and a fund to purchase or repair police vehicles to be able to retain all current staff. The Council voted not to accept the Mayor’s budget revisions and approved the original budget which requires layoff or not replacing vacancies in the street, water, sewer and administrative departments.

    The Mayor voted against this resolution and said the budget was a plan that could be revised based on needs. She asserted that she oversaw day-to-day operations and as long as her spending was within the budget requirements, she could keep staff needed to operate the city. Councilmembers Woodruff and Hunter said they would continue to monitor and evaluate the budget, expenses and the staffing of city departments. This remains as an area of disagreement between the mayor and the council.

    The Mayor said that the city attorney was working on negotiating an agreement with Alabama Fiber Network to sell them a 50 by 50-foot space to place their “middle mile broadband equipment” to facilitate expansion of fiber Internet access in the city and county. The legal paperwork for this sale will be provided by the attorney, for approval by the council, at a future meeting.

    A payment of budgeted support funding to E-911 was tabled until after the city receives its allocation of property taxes in January. E-911 provides dispatch services for city agencies like the police and ambulance services.

    In other business, the Eutaw City Council:

    • Approved travel for Police Chief Tommy Johnson to attend the AACOP Winter Conference in Montgomery on February 9-13, 2025.
    • Approved $150 membership dues for City Attorney, Zane Willingham, for the Alabama Association of Municipal Attorneys.

    • Tabled repairs to a manhole behind Ms. Suzzette Quinnie’s property until the ownership of the sewer line can be documented between the City and the Greene County Housing Authority.

    • Heard a presentation from Lamar Martin, of the Secure Wellness Group on a Self-Insured Medical Reimbursement Plan for city employees. The Council voted to provide information for a payroll census, without personal information, so he could develop a plan for the City of Eutaw and
    present it at a future meeting.

    Mayor Johnson indicated that City Hall would be closed on December 24 and 25, 2024, December 31, 2024 at 12:00 Noon and January 1, 2025, for the holidays.

  • Eutaw City Council takes up some cost saving measures to avoid budgetary shortfall

    At its Working Session on April 8 and its regular meeting on April 9, 2024, the Eutaw City Council took some steps to reduce expenditures and increase income to avoid a budget shortfall toward the end of its fiscal year, coming in the last few months of the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024.

    The Council was in part reacting to a mid-year financial report from Fiscal Adviser, Ralph Liverman, which showed deficits in the water and sewer department and a lack of income from rental of the Robert H. Young Community Center and other city properties. The report also indicated that the city had received no revenues from electronic bingo, distributed by the Sheriff, since May 2023. In past years, bingo funds were used to cover departmental deficits and capital improvements, like road and bridge repairs.

    The Council adopted a resolution setting rates for the short-term use of the Robert H. Young Community Center (formerly Carver School). The general rental rate for the gymnasium space is set for $300 for use from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Non-profit entities can be exempted from rental rates, by the Eutaw City Council, if the activity is for a public purpose. The charge for funerals is $100.

    If the renter is charging admission or using the facility for fundraising an additional fee of $250 will be charged. Non-profit agencies can apply for exemption of this requirement. If alcohol is being served at a rental event, all individuals admitted must be 21 years of age and appropriate security is contracted.

    There is also a refundable $150 charge as a cleaning deposit, if the renter does not leave the property in satisfactory condition, the deposit will be forfeited, otherwise it will be refunded to the renter. No cleaning deposit will be charged for funerals.

    The Eutaw City Council approved a new work schedule for all city employees, with the exception of police officers, for a half day of work on Thursdays and Fridays (8:00 AM to Noon). This will cutback employees to a four-day week and allow the retention of all existing employees, without having to layoff anyone, while also saving some funds.

    The Council also approved a policy to limit overtime by city employees to the exact time of additional work required for emergencies. Some employees were receiving an automatic three hours for being called for overtime work. This practice will be changed to actual time worked and limited to emergencies. Some water and sewer employees were asked to do overtime work, when problems developed for residents, who has back-flow valves installed on their water meters. Mayor Johnson said she was seeking reimbursement for those overtime hours from the general contractor who handled installation of the back-flow valves.

    The Council received a report at the Work Session, from Sarah Leavelle, from the Water and Sewer Department, concerning a rate analysis, last year, from the University of North Carolina, that recommended a gradual increase in water and sewer rates. The proposal recommends an increase in the rates by 15% the first year, increasing by 5% a year over the next four years. The base rate for water, for residential customers, would increase from the current minimum of $14.41 for two thousand (2,000) gallons to $16.57 for the first year, by the end of five years, the base rate would increase to $20.14. The rate per thousand additional gallons would increase, over five years, from $5.39 to $6.88 per 1,000 gallons.

    Sewer rates would increase by a corresponding amount and help to close the deficit in these departments between revenues and expenses. The City Council will need to pass an ordinance to implement the water and sewer rate increases. The matter was referred to Zane Willingham, City Attorney, to prepare an ordinance.

    In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:

    • Approved a partnership with the City and the University of Alabama’s
    Life Research Institute dealing with improving cardiovascular heath for residents.
    • Changed the signatures on the Police DARES bank account.
    • Approved payment of bills.
    • Heard a report from Courtney Ransom of vandalism at the horse arena in City Park, which was granted to her horse organization for horse shows and rides. She asked for more police presence to check the park.
    • Councilman Woodruff complimented City Police investigator for his presentation to the Grand Jury.
    • Police Chief Johnson reported that the Eutaw Police Department will hold its 4th Annual First Responders Day and Parade on May 14, 2024.
    • Sarah Leavelle reported that the City Water Department had $107,156.70 in collections for the month of March 2024, including 335 on-line payments of $27,126.13; and 1,544 active customers.

  • Eutaw City Council raises pay for police department

    At its regular meeting on March 12, 2024, the Eutaw City Council agreed to a budget adjustment to increase the pay of police officers based on their years of experience working with the city.

    This action was in response to a concern raised by Police Chief Tommy Johnson that four officers had left the staff since the beginning of the calendar year because they received offers of higher pay from neighboring police departments.

    “Our starting salary of $15.00 an hour was too low to attract or keep trained officers,” said Chief Johnson. The mayor also indicated that the police department was currently paying overtime pay rates to officers to cover all required shifts.

    Council members, Jonathan Woodruff and Tracey Hunter, who are members of the Council Finance Committee, proposed an adjustment to the budget, which would raise the base pay, for police officers who completed training to $17.00 an hour ($35,360 annually), with one to five years’ experience. The salary for officers with 6 to 10 years’ experience would be increased to $18.00 an hour ($37,440 annually). For officers with more than 10 years, the pay rate was increased to $19.00 an hour ($39,520 annually)

    The Chief of Police will continue to receive $65,000 annually The Assistant Chief was raised to $22.00 an hour or $45,760 annually. There may be some other adjustments based on years of service. There were no cadets budgeted for this fiscal year, which created the budgetary savings to allow the increased salaries, within the current budget for this fiscal year.

    Chief Johnson said he would be able to recruit new replacement officers at the new pay rate but still urged further increases to allow for retention of capable and experienced personnel.

    The Council tabled action on setting rates for rental of the R. H. Young Community Center (formerly Carver School) since City Attorney, Zane Willingham, who helped draft the rates, was away attending a conference for municipal attorneys.

    At its prior meeting on February 27, 2024, the Council voted to change the check signers on all city accounts in Merchants and Farmers Bank. There will be two signatories, on each check, of three signers: Council members: Tracey Hunter and Jonathan Woodruff and Chief Clerk, SheKelvia Spencer. This action removed Mayor Latasha Johnson, as a check signer.

    The Mayor indicated some displeasure and disagreement with being removed from check signing but said she would abide by the Council’s decision, if they made sure to sign checks on a timely basis as needed.
    The Mayor said, “No money is missing, nothing is hidden, no money has been mis-spent. We have an audit that shows that we are financially stable and following our budget. In the past, we did not have our finances in good condition, but now under my leadership we do. There is no reason to remove me as a check signer.”

    In other actions, the Eutaw City Council:

    • Approved a resolution to allow the mayor to seek bids to renovate the restrooms at City Hall.

    • Approved a retail liquor license for Madi Food Mart, which plans to re-open a closed convenience store on Greensboro Avenue in Eutaw.

    • Approved travel for several city officials to attend upcoming conferences and training.

    • Received financial reports from Ralph Liverman, Fiscal Adviser, on bank accounts and loan balances. This included a report that 29 monthly payments had been made on the City’s four-year, equipment loan of $500,370, with 19 payments totaling $206,198 remaining to be paid. This monthly expenditure is included in the budget.

    • Received a report from the Chamber of Commerce that they received a $5,000 grant for a mural to be painted on the wall of a building in downtown Eutaw.

    • Approved payment of bills.

    The meeting ended with a discussion of the need to keep the streets of Eutaw clean and that some people were dumping trash and other waste materials at the side of the road and in ditches in the city. The mayor stated that she would work with residents and businesses to keep the areas around their homes and workspaces clean. Lorenzo French suggested involving young people in the clean-up efforts, so they would help maintain the clean streets and areas of the city.

  • Eutaw City Council approves travel and per diem for city staff to attend training they previously opposed

    At their regular meeting on August 8, 2023, the Eutaw City Council approved travel and per diem requests for city staff to attend trainings that they had previously refused to approve in the two prior meetings. The reason the Council members gave was that funds in the General Fund account were low and they were not sure they could afford to send staff to training.
    Mayor Johnson said, “Some of the staff training is mandatory and necessary for staff to keep up to date for city business.” She went on to say, “We have a shortfall in our General Fund because we are expecting a reimbursement from FEMA for clean-up and debris removal from the storms earlier this year. We have not received the FEMA reimbursement because it takes time for FEMA to review and check the invoices; but FEMA has assured us the money is coming.”
    Among the trainings approved were:
    • City Clerk and Assistant City Clerk to attend Municipal Clerks training, September 6-8, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, AL
    • City Clerk and Assistant City Clerk to attend Revenue Officers Training, October 4-6, 2023
    • City Judge Joshua Swords and City Attorney, Zane Willingham to attend ALM Law Conference in Gulf Shores, Alabama, November 2-4, 2023

    The Eutaw City Council formally accepted a grant of $38,755 from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for support of the City of Eutaw Volunteer Fire Department to be used for equipment and training.The Council also approved the following items:

    • A Request Form to be on the City Council Agenda.
    • An Ordinance No. 08082023 – adjustment in business license issuance fee from $12 to $14, starting January 1, 2024.
    • Changes in the City Handbook.
    • Received letter from the Alabama League of Municipalities concerning collection of revenue in the Police Jurisdiction of the city.
    • Purchase of a Pump from Stone and Sons for $9,600.
    • Payment of bills for the month.
    The Eutaw City Council tabled a decision approving the sale of land on Boligee Street (past location of swimming pool) to the Greene County Commission for a Water Park. The mayor said there were some details of the transaction that still had to be worked out.
    Leah Banks with Alabama Power Company made a presentation on a study of broadband service in Greene County that she is conducting in conjunction with the University of West Alabama. There is a QR code to capture which leads you to the survey. For more information on the survey, contact GCIDA at 205-372-9769.

  • Eutaw City Council holds cantankerous meeting refuses to vote on resolution to pay contractors for storm debris work

    The June 13th regular Eutaw City Council meeting saw members of the Council disagree with Mayor Latasha Johnson on financial matters, especially the payment of contractors for debris removal from the January 12 storm.
    All members of the Council were present except for Larrie Coleman, District 4, who was absent.

    The Eutaw City Council had previously approved payment of $267,750 to three contractors who did most of the debris removal work. The Mayor had submitted records to FEMA to be reimbursed for these and additional expenses, including the work of city employees, supplies, and administrative expenses. FEMA will only reimburse for expenses actually paid by the city.

    The first agenda item at the meeting was a resolution, prepared by City Financial Adviser Ralph Liverman, to pay the debris removal contractors by transferring funds from other city accounts, primarily the 4-cent gas tax fund, the 7-cent gas tax fund, and the bridge replacement fund to the General Fund, with the expectation that these funds would be reimbursed by FEMA and replaced in the accounts. Another alternative way to pay the bills would be for the City to borrow the funds until the FEMA reimbursement was received.

    Councilwoman Jacqueline Stewart made the motion to approve the resolution to move funds to the General Fund to pay the contractors. The motion died because no other member of the Council would second the motion. The members were distressed that the City’s finances were severely affected and limited by the storms, even though the funds would be reimbursed by FEMA, once the city paid these obligations.

    City Attorney, Zane Willingham, advised the Council to pay the contractors since not to do so would result in lawsuits and higher costs. The Council members disregarded his legal advice.

    The Mayor tried to have a special meeting on June 15 for the Council to reconsider its decision, however, the meeting was cancelled due to bad weather and unwillingness of councilmembers to attend.

    At press time, the Democrat contacted Mayor Johnson and she said,
    “I had no choice, the FEMA deadline for reimbursement was approaching, the Council had previously approved paying these expenses but then would not pass the resolution on using funds from several accounts to pay. At the advice of legal counsel, I went ahead and paid the bills.”

    The Mayor also provided the Democrat an email from JoAnn Mallett, FEMA Emergency Management Specialist, stating that the City of Eutaw has been approved for 100% reimbursement of $177,669.83 and 75% reimbursement of $ 241,747.94, which is more than the $267,750 paid to the contractors.

    Council adopts motions on financial controls

    The City Council then took up a series of motions to limit expenses to make sure that the General Fund did not run out of money. The Council on the recommendation of Councilwoman Hunter agreed to suspend all travel and per diem for all departments. This motion was approved by a vote of 4 yes and the Mayor voting no, because she said, we must send staff to training and conferences from them to keep their certifications current and up to date.

    The Council took up a motion to suspend all excessive overtime pay for all departments. This led to a discussion of what was the definition of excessive and the motion as tabled.

    A motion to suspend all purchases without Council approval was passed by a vote of 4 to 1 with the mayor voting against. The mayor indicated that many times there are emergencies requiring the purchase or replacement of pumps, motors, and other things, which coming back to the Council would cause delays and problems.

    The Council also approved a proposal from Councilman LaJeffrey Carpenter that the members of the Council receive copies of employee timesheets. This was approved 4 to 1 with the Mayor being the lone vote against the motion.

    A motion to cover the expenses and per diem for three members of the Water Department to receive training, died for lack of a second. This came in the context of a discussion that it was important for city staff to receive training so they could do their job better.

    The Council approved a motion to recognize September 11 as “Spiver Gordon Day in the City of Eutaw”. This motion was approved 3 yes, one no (Watkins) and one abstention (Carpenter).

    The Council also approved an agreement between the City of Eutaw and communities Unlimited for comprehensive technical assistance for the city water system, which includes a rate study and board training.

  • Eutaw City Council reviews finances;
    makes board appointments

    The Eutaw City Council met on Monday, November 7, 2022 for its regular first meeting of the month. The meeting was held on Monday because the second Tuesday was an election day.

    The Council held an announced public hearing  at the start of the meeting to approve a resolution to vacate a city owned easement for an alley on the old Family Dollar property on Greensboro Avenue. City Attorney, Zane Willingham, explained that there is a possibility that the property will be used for a Jack’s Restaurant franchise and that the alley needed to be officially removed, so as not to be a barrier to attracting the business to the city.

    Ralph Liverman, Financial Adviser, reported that the city’s financial records for the past fiscal year, ending September 30, 2022 had been completed and were ready to be transmitted to the auditors. He also reported that for the month of October 2022, the records showed that sales taxes and other revenues, exceed the 8.25% monthly projection and that most expenses were in line with the proposed budget.

    Financial reports on the month of October for the General Fund, USDA Loan Payment and Reserve Accounts and the Utility Revenue Collections and transfers, were presented to the Council for their information. The annual payment to USDA on the current water system loan is due at the end of the calendar year. The reports show funds available for the payment and the accumulation of proper reserves for major repairs to the system.

    The Council appointed Carrie Logan on the Eutaw Historic Preservation Board, to replace Diana Liverman, who resigned. The Council appointed Jim Logan to replace Rev. James Carter, who passed away, on the Eutaw Airport Board. The Council tabled the replacement of Rodney Wesley to the Greene County EMS Board, representing the city. He has resigned the position.

    The Council heard a report from Corey Martin, City Water and Sewer Operator. Martin said the city was developing a plan to deal with a large pile of debris at the City Landfill. The city can no long burn materials it collects and must develop a plan for disposal of the materials in other landfills.

    Martin reported that the city had replaced valves on tanks and made numerous repairs to leaks in the water lines which reduced water loss on a monthly basis from 70% in July to 34.3% in October. The city water and sewer lines have been mapped which will help in making repairs and determining the classification and need for additional fire hydrants.

    The Council approved payment of all bills and claims and agreed to pay a scheduled employee bonus from American Rescue Plan Act funds with the next payroll on December 2, 2022, instead of waiting until the end of the year.

  • Eutaw City Council meeting continues to discuss Water Department

    As of May 20, 2020, at 9:00 AM
    Alabama had 12,701 confirmed cases of

    coronavirus with
    508 deaths
    Greene County had 86
    confirmed cases
    with 4 deaths

    The Eutaw City Council met for its regular meeting on May 12, 2020. The meeting with full attendance met at the Carver School gymnasium to allow for property social distancing of Council members and the audience.
    Most of the City Council meeting was devoted to a continuing discussion of the need to correct problems of water meters, computers and software to read the meters, conformity in water billing and making sure that the water was generating sufficient revenues to support the City budget.
    The City Council reaffirmed its decision by a 4 to 1 vote to remove Mayor Steele as Superintendent of the Water System, however, there was dissension relative to taking the next steps to correct the problems in the Water Department.
    Council members, led by Sheila Smith and LaTosha Johnson, want to declare an emergency in the Water Department and contract with a company, headed by Kathy Horne, to come in and correct the management and billing problems. Horne’s firm and the Alabama Rural Water Association presented a report to the City Council in February recommending changes to improve the city’s water system.Mayor Steele insists that although he is no longer Superintendent of the Water Department, as Mayor he still has day-to-day supervision of the water system. He says that he is reluctant to bring in consultants to correct problems that he says have already been resolved.
    The Mayor says that the current corrected water bills that have been sent to residents will generate an additional $30,000 in revenues for the city. He also says 90 of the new digital water meters have been reinstalled properly or replaced.
    City attorney, Zane Willingham, backed the Mayor and said if the Council wants to bring in consultants, they must advertise and bid out these services under the laws governing municipalities like the City of Eutaw. The City Council voted to bid out a contract for management of the water system, however, at press time the Democrat has received no legal notice to print soliciting bids for management of the water system.
    The Council also discussed the need to build more storm shelters to protect the residents of the city from storms and tornados. Councilman Joe Powell brought some cost estimates for shelters. There was a discussion of building shelters in different sections of the City with grants from FEMA. The Council voted to table the discussion of shelters until electronic bingo resumes operations, after the coronavirus, to provide matching funds for the construction of shelters.
    In other business, the Eutaw City Council:
    • approved a resolution honoring first responders and frontline health care workers, scheduled for May 14, 2020;
    • approved a resolution supporting the renovation of Elmwood Manor;
    • approved a “Back to School – Sales Tax Holiday”, scheduled for July 14-19, 2020;
    • agreed to pave M & M Drive as soon as funds are available;
    • discussed pending insurance claims;
    • requested a list of all purchases made by the City, since the beginning of 2020, to determine if supplies are adequate;
    • discussed street washouts in the City and how to contract, with FEMA funding for their repair.