By Charles Romans
Carter County Times
The Grayson City Council met for their regularly scheduled meeting last Tuesday (July 9), to conduct the business of the city. On the agenda were items such as the reading of the budget ordinance, commission reports, department reports, and public comments. Also on the agenda were the mayor’s report, administration report, and legal report. Appointments to the tourism commission were also discussed.
Mayor Troy Combs suggested, and the council discussed, the creation of a new administrative position, that of city manager. The city manager would have a broad range of duties including assisting the council in the formulation of the budget, purchasing, and personnel management while maintaining a position with ABC and Code enforcement The new position, if created, would be at a compensation rate of approximately $50,000 per year. If approved by the council, an additional position of deputy code enforcement officer would be created as well.
The council discussed available funds for resurfacing city streets, including existing projects and those costs, and the potential for new projects. Mayor Combs made the council aware that the lion’s share of funds for these projects had already been committed to the city’s sidewalk project which would be approximately $113,000, along with associated costs such as Bell Engineering on the Rupert Lane Project and Mueller Electric.
A potential offset to this was suggested by the mayor, who informed the council that the city anticipated a surplus of $250,000 and some of those funds – $40,000 was considered – could be reallocated to resurfacing. The most needed area for resurfacing is currently Second Street and the alley behind it, Combs said. He said that project could be completed for the considered $40,000. After discussion of the budget council did not have a reading, but instead decided to hold a special meeting for that purpose at a later date.
Two residents, Mary Harlow and George Martin, brought concerns to the council about fireworks that were being used improperly and set off at late hours in the city on Wildcat Drive. Fireworks were being set off after 9 p.m. and sometimes after midnight. One resident had contacted 911 and an officer with Grayson police responded and spoke to the individual setting off the fireworks. A city noise ordinance states that 9 p.m. seven days per week is the cut off for causing noise that disturbs residents. The residents were assured that the individual violating the ordinance would be formally notified.
The council also made plans to set up a work session with the tourism commission to go over line items on the commission’s budget. Councilwoman Jennifer McGlone told the council she believed such a meeting would be extremely beneficial to both the city and the commission. McGlone said getting everyone involved in the same room would help clarify the budget for everyone. Mayor Combs told the council that the meeting would be set up as early as schedules permitted.
The City received an insurance check for $8,000 to refund the purchase of fire department bunker gear that was damaged, and the city was only responsible for a $250 dollar deductible. The gear was damaged by chlorine gas during a response to a garbage truck fire. Chlorine breaks down the equipment and compromises the protection of the firefighters using it, making it unsafe to continue using.
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
