“The mayor doesn’t have the authority to spend that kind of money,” said Monteagle Alderman Kenneth Gipson at the April 27 Monteagle Town Council meeting, objecting to Mayor David Sampley’s authorizing purchase of a $29,000 police cruiser without the council’s approval. Expenditure issues dominated the evening’s agenda.

“Purchase of the cruiser was an emergency situation,” Sampley said responding to Gipson’s objection.

“There should have been a special called meeting to discuss the purchase,” Gipson said, citing the authority of the Municipal Technical Advisory Service. Gipson argued the motor in the out-of-service cruiser could have been replaced instead of purchasing a new cruiser. Replacing the motor would cost $3,600, Gipson said.

Gipson also objected to cancellation of the March council meeting.

“There were no agenda items,” Sampley said.

“Department heads have reports every month,” Gipson said.

Alderwoman Delores Knott said the council needed to fill the alderman seat vacant since February. Knott made a motion the council appoint former mayor Charles Rollins to fill the vacancy.

Visitor Carole Manganaro complained the town incurred “half a million dollars in state and federal fines” for wastewater treatment violations during Rollins term as mayor.

Defending Rollins, Gipson said, “The mayor doesn’t monitor sewer and water.” Gipson seconded the motion to appoint Rollins.

“I can’t vote on this when we haven’t discussed it,” Vice Mayor Jessica Blalock said. The council decided to address the vacancy issue at a working session prior to the May 30 meeting. Any candidates seeking appointment to the seat should attend.

Reporting on operations, Police Chief Virgil McNeese said the police department discovered jewelry valued at $7,000 when cleaning out evidence files. Legal counsel advised McNeese the department could sell the jewelry. McNeese requested permission to use the proceeds from the sale to purchase bulletproof vests for officers, cost $4,500.

The council approved the request with the stipulation the remainder of the sale proceeds be used to put a new motor in the out-of-service police cruiser and the cruiser be donated to the fire department.

Monteagle Fire Department Captain Ethan Orange said acquiring the cruiser would enable the fire department to keep its current Insurance Officer Rating (ISO) since the cruiser is classified as an emergency vehicle.

Orange requested $6,000 for repair of the motor in Engine Number One. “The engine died on the last six calls,” Orange said. He called repair of the engine a “band aid.” The engine is “almost 20 years old and as of next year won’t count toward the ISO rating.”

The council approved the $6,000 request.

Sampley said the fire hall building had been condemned. “We need to get you out of that building.” Fire department vehicles are currently housed in a rented facility.

Fire fighter Jeremy Blalock advocated purchasing the rented facility and two-acre site rather than rebuilding on the present site. “Where the station is now, there’s no place to park,” Blalock said.

The building and site cost $165,000.Renting the facility during construction of a new facility would cost the town an estimated $1,500 per month, Vice Mayor Blalock pointed out.

Gipson expressed concerns about the life expectancy of the 20-year-old building.

The council will take up the fire hall question at the budget meeting scheduled at 4 p.m., Thursday, May 18, at City Hall.

Utility Systems Supervisor John Condra said the mowers at both the water plant and wastewater treatment plant were “worn out” and requested approval to purchase new mowers for both facilities.

Sampley said there was adequate money in the Utility Systems budget to cover the purchase. The council approved purchase of a riding mower for the water plant, cost $2,000-$2,500, and a tractor belly mower for the wastewater treatment plant, cost $12,500.

In discussion of other budget issues, Sampley said the prior administration “didn’t leave us any funds in the road repair budget, so repairs will need to wait until July when the new budget is approved.”

The contested mayoral election cost the city $11,400, Sampley noted. Marion County has not yet submitted a bill.

The council awarded three Grundy County High School Future Business Leaders $900 toward the cost of air fare to attend the national competition in California. Caitlin Ladd, Hunter Ladd and Trevor Sanders earned first place awards at the state level. In making the request, spokesperson Hunter Ladd said, “We hope you can help finance our trip so one day we can help out with the town.” All three students graduated from Monteagle Elementary School.

Reporting on parks and recreation, Blalock said replacing the condemned playground equipment at Harton Memorial Park would cost $36,000. “That’s the cheapest you can find,” she said. She will request funds at the budget meeting.

Blalock announced Sparkle Week was scheduled for May 22–26. To promote tidying up of yards within the city limits, city workers will pickup discarded items and trash stacked at curbside. Blalock advised residents to place items out by the evening of May 21, since crews will visit each street only once. Crews will not pick up batteries, Blalock said.