"It's not your job!"

11 February 2020

McCaysville City Council Meeting

Recent events have had McCaysville Mayor Thomas Seabolt admitting errors in following grant procedures, but remaining hopeful for reimbursement from the state. Davia Rose Lassiter, MA, Director Marketing & Communications of Georgia Department of Community Affairs who handles inquiries for OneGeorgia Authority, responded to BRMNews' questions regarding the $500,000 Grant awarded to McCaysville by Senator David Ralston back in June 2017. Lassiter explained that since the procedure had not been followed on recent city park renovations, these funds will not be reimbursed. Work completed, $341,262.90 worth according to Council figures could be for the citizens of McCaysville to now pay. McCaysville City Attorney Cortney M. Stuart is working diligently with DCA to sort out bills that might be acceptable. Any individual bill over $100,000.00 will not be, but some of the smaller bills still have a chance for reimbursement and alleviating the financial burden for the city. However, going forward, Lassiter had better news. "The remaining grant funds are available for use by the City of McCaysville on (any new) eligible project(s) at the park." Lassiter added, DCA "is able to reimburse work for this specific project that is done within the parameters of the state procurement law. Any work done without a proper bid will not be eligible for reimbursement." Many are missing the point behind reasons for much of the city's problems and continued discussion. If the City Council had handled everything as dictated by the Charter and with legal advice readily available, the city wouldn't be in this trouble. Citizens and individuals are making decisions only McCaysville City Council should be making. New councilmembers are not focusing on individuals, or making random changes to Council meetings. They are working to return the Council and meetings to how it should have always operated. The city could be held liable in many ways, including lawsuits or court rulings when citizens conduct business in the name of the city or when the city does not operate according to regulations. Additionally, the mayor, councilmember, or individual can be held liable for expenses incurred without Council approval. Stuart addressed the Council and attendees; volunteers cannot make (or try to fix) financial matters, nor place orders for services or goods, even if the mayor or a board member says it's okay. It needs to go before the Council. While Stuart tried to explain the legal side of the various situations recently coming to light, Revitalization Committee member Ann Williams refused to acknowledge her limited position and walked out of the meeting. According to Williams, she contacted OneGeorgia Authority five times. Even though she may have written a grant, Stuart told her politely, "It's not your job!" Williams is a member of a committee, not a member of the City Council. It is the job of the Council, McCaysville Attorney or both to handle financial and all matters for the "City of McCaysville." Stuart also mentioned people often come to her, stating they are members of the Revitalization Committee, and she explains to them, "they are not." Members of the committee are assigned. There is a substantial financial loss hovering over the taxpayers of McCaysville at this time. It could have been avoided. Undaunted by criticism from those who haven't grasped the dire situation, new councilmembers are determined to return to conducting city business as governed by the Charter and legal procedures. The city needs to handle issues properly to help McCaysville into the future without forgetting it's past. Council members also questioned why a logo for the City of McCaysville, which wasn't approved by the Council, was used on a sign located in the IGA parking lot. During the meeting, it was determined the sign should be removed in the morning. The sign has not been removed as of this writing.

Volunteers were thanked many times throughout the nights meeting. Near the end of the meeting, Councilwoman, Susan Kiker again expressed gratitude for all the work volunteers have done and how beautiful the holiday decorations were. Considering work completed, possible additional renovations, and add-ons mentioned during this month's Council meeting, the City Park may soon be well over $500,000 and closer to a million dollar park for it's 1146* residents!

If the pending amount of park expenses not approved remains unchanged, that is a cost of approximately $297.78 per resident. *Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant (LMIG) population estimate.

Unfortunately the recorder tipped over and went unnoticed.

Continuation of Stuart's Monthly Attorney's Report. Ann Williams, "I'm not doing that." After suggestion of report to Council each month by Revitalization Committee. Williams walks out of meeting.

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