State cuts off Blue Ridge grant funds

City: Bivins stays, Taylor gives duties back to mayor as state cuts off Blue Ridge grant funds

  • In accordance with Georgia law, Blue Ridge is ineligible to receive any state grant fund transmittals until all audit reports for the preceding five years are provided to the Department of Audits and Accounts, the letter said.
    In accordance with Georgia law, Blue Ridge is ineligible to receive any state grant fund transmittals until all audit reports for the preceding five years are provided to the Department of Audits and Accounts, the letter said.

    Bill Bivins has decided not to leave his Blue Ridge City Council post, the state has stopped all grant fund monies for the city, and Councilman Jack Taylor has decided to give Mayor Rhonda Haight back her duties.

    Details of all three actions were revealed in separate emails last week.

    Bivins wrote in a March 18 email, “I’m rescinding my resignation. I have had multiple conversations with citizens asking me to consider this...My stress, although not perfect, is improving.”

    That same day, a non-compliance notice was sent to Haight, State Senator Steve Gooch, and several city officials regarding the city audit for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. That notice came from Jacqueline E. Neubert, deputy director of the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts.

    It stated, “As of the date of this letter, we have not received either an audit report or report of agreed upon procedures for the fiscal year shown above (December 31, 2023). The Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Section 36-81-7 requires an annual audit report to be filed within 180 days after the end of your fiscal year.”

    In accordance with Georgia law, Blue Ridge is ineligible to receive any state grant fund transmittals until all audit reports for the preceding five years are provided to the Department of Audits and Accounts, the letter said.

    Friday morning, March 31, Taylor sent a letter to the mayor and council saying, “I believe it best to return the mayor’s authority over the city back to her.”

    The letter continued, “Taking this position was my way of fulfilling the promise I made when I first ran for this office. That promise was “every decision I make will be in the best interest of the City of Blue Ridge and not myself.

    “Taking this position has caused many unforeseen issues within the council and the public. My integrity has been attacked, and my character has been questioned. There have been statements made such as, “I have been bribed, paid off,and changed sides.”

    Taylor continued, “When I took this monumental task, I simply wanted to help the city prosper, stop any chance of the city failing,  move the city forward, and to bring some peace to the valley that is Blue Ridge.  I am sorry to say I cannot bring peace, compassion, or unity.

    “I will proceed with and devote my time to the Farmers Market, food trucks, cannery, and city business. I am not resigning, just restructuring my role,” he said.

    While there was no written confirmation, city officials confirmed newly appointed City Clerk Brenda Scearce has also resigned.