McCaysville City Council members have agreed to buy two trucks, voted for spending power for three city officials, approved Christmas incentives, and agreed to look into expanding office space and staff at city hall. The actions came during the council’s regular meeting Tuesday, November 10.
After hearing from Councilwoman Gilita Carter the city made a “profit” in October, the council voted to spend $28,108 for a small pickup for the water plant and $53,512.30 for a dump truck for the street department.
Carter said city general fund revenue totaled $212,685.39 while expenses were $109,257.10, for a “profit” of $43,428.29 in October.
Water revenue was $220,485.62 compared with expenses of $149,316.68 for the same month, a difference of $71,168.94.
The water department truck will replace one that currently has 270,000 miles, Mayor Thomas Seabolt told the council.
Seabolt said the city planned to trade in its current truck for the new truck, reducing the sales price to $37,512.30.
However, City Attorney Cortney Stuart reminded the council that city owned property has to be auctioned off.
With that, the council agreed to pay full price for the new truck, an F-350 Ford and auction the old one.
City officials also agreed to pay $3,800 to replace a wall that fell during the recent storm.
A spending resolution, approved but never officially enacted by the previous council, was approved giving the mayor, city clerk and police chief authority to spend up to $499.99 without full council approval as long as the purchase was within their individual department’s budget.
Carter said the council should do “whatever we have to do to get it (the resolution) current.”
Mayor Pro-Tem Larry Collis questioned the resolution, asking why the same authority wasn’t given to the street department head, and Carter then raised the same question about the water department head.
They were told those employees usually come to the mayor with any questions over such spending amounts, or for an emergency request above the $499.99 amount.
When the vote was taken, Collis voted no while Carter and council members Susan Kiker, Jason Woody, and Sue Beaver voted yes.
After discussion over Christmas bonuses for employees, council members agreed to give each full time employee $500 and each part-time employee $250.
The money will come from CARES Act funding and will be categorized as hazard pay instead of a Christmas bonus.
City Clerk Nancy Godfrey told the council that another office staff member is needed and room needs to be made for that person at City Hall.
Council members agreed to start looking for office help from among current city employees and other potential candidates.
They also agreed to study remodeling the office and seek bids for the work.
In other action, members also approved Police Chief Michael Earley’s recommendation that alcohol license renewals be approved for the Twisted Tomato and Burra Burra on the River.
They also agreed for Earley to buy two new tasers at $750 each and two body cameras for part-time officers at $350 each.
During October, Earley reported officers answered 54 calls, issued 33 citations and made seven arrests.