The Monticello City Council met last night in a long, wild 2 hour and 45 minute session with all members and Mayor Kenny Catron present.
After much discussion about the city’s Restaurant Tax and how it is being used, Council member Alan Vaughn introduced the first reading of an Ordinance to repeal the tax. Vaughn suggested if the City repeals the Tax, he would like to see it put on the ballot and voted on by the city’s residents. This came after City Tourism Executive Director Todd McFarland told the Council the Tourist Commission is looking into buying 79.5 acres of land for 1.25 million dollars to be used for the Wayne County Fair, an Amphitheatre and an Ag Center to be used possibly with Wayne County Schools.
At the beginning of the meeting, Justin Glasscock with Deco Architects spoke to the Council about the 606/AJ Lloyd and Provalus projects. Glasscock updated the Council on the over 4 Million dollar AJ Lloyd project and the 6 million dollar Provalus Project, saying that each of the Projects are over $300,000 over original cost estimates. The Council voted to move ahead with the bidding process to see where the actual cost will be. It was specified, it would be a bid only, and not approval to move ahead with construction.
The Council did hear a first reading of a Business License Ordinance setting fees on businesses to operate in Monticello, since it was a first reading, no action was taken. First readings of two Budget Ordinances were moved to a future meeting
In other business, Luke Vickery was appointed to the Monticello Wayne County Development Authority
City Police Chief Josh Asberry and Wayne County Deputy Sheriff Valis Smedley were given plaques in recognition of a recent child rescue
In the Alcohol Beverage report, the City reported $398,878 is sales for the month of April, with $19,452 in fees collected. It was the highest sales number for alcohol sales for the month of April since the City went wet.
Council Member Tracy Sexton asked why the City did not file an insurance claim on an accident involving a Fire Truck, Sexton said the accident report said a County fire unit was involved in the crash and the City paid for the collision repair.
The Monticello Tourist Commission met earlier Monday in special session and following a 30 minute executive session in discussion to possibly buy Real Estate, did not take any action on a possible Real Estate Purchase Agreement