by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

“My reason for leaving is the growing turmoil surrounding the department and lack of meaningful support being shown its leadership and officers” — Monteagle Police Chief William Raline read the following statement from officer Chris Vest’s resignation letter, as Vest had requested sharing the letter with the public and Monteagle Council at the April 27 meeting. The “lack of meaningful support” cited by Vest referred to the vote at the March 29 meeting to dismiss Sargent [Alhafiz Ibn] Karteron from employment due to circumstance related to a Sept. 15 incident involving Karteron and Monteagle business owner Rodney Kilgore. The investigator for the Grundy County District Attorney found no fault with Karteron’s actions. At the outset of the April meeting, two residents voiced angry complaints calling the attack on the police biased and hypocritical. Raline cautioned the contentious environment made it difficult to find good officers. “We’re going to disagree, undoubtedly,” Raline acknowledged. “But if we don’t stand together and come up with common good decisions to fix our problems, it doesn’t get better. We should work together and have dialogues.” Just over a week ago, Monteagle received a complaint against Raline. The council has never had to deal with a complaint against the police chief before.

Asked about the process, Raline explained, in the event of a criminal complaint, the district attorney would investigate and report to the mayor. Typically, non-criminal complaints were investigated by a municipality’s oversight committee. Monteagle had no oversight committee, Raline noted. He said he would supply Mayor Greg Maloof with all documents related to the complaint and a video.

Alderman Lay proposed a meeting with Raline. “I would like to hear the chief’s response to the complaint,” Lay said. Raline proposed the council review the documents and video he provided, after which he would take questions if clarification was needed. The council will meet with Raline in a private executive session. Alderman Nate Wilson observed “human resources” issues were not subject to the Sunshine Law.

In a related discussion, Lay complained Monteagle violated the Sunshine Law by not taking minutes at workshops. Maloof argued minutes were not needed since “no voting” occurred. Maloof will investigate Lay’s claim.

In other business, Maloof introduced a discussion about authorizing another rate study to determine if additional rate increases were necessary to facilitate budget decisions calling for costly capital improvements. Lay complained, “It’s not legal for you to approve a contract for a rate study.” The 2024 rate study resulted in a March 2025 rate increase, with another increase scheduled for July 1, 2026.

Wilson argued the rate study’s “administrative” cost was the most significant expense driver in the Water and Sewer Department’s budget in the past few years and another rate study would not fix the problem. Wilson also maintained, since the Water and Sewer Department showed a loss last year, a loss again this year could result in the state assuming management of the department. He cited the federally mandated lead and copper survey as the expense causing the 2025 loss and proposed the town defer Water and Sewer Department capital improvements to the next budget year to avoid a loss in 2026. Wilson said he spoke with LGA, Monteagle’s engineering firm, and they supported adjusting the contract to facilitate deferring the expenses. Maloof will contact LGA to discuss the contract adjustment.

Resident Chris Fox raised a complaint about a right of way encroachment on his property and a private drive there being designated a public road. Maloof will investigate the discrepancies.

Asked about water shortage concerns, Maloof said he has been in touch with Big Creek and Tracy City “to refine our drought plan. They are on standby.” Monteagle relies on Big Creek and Tracy City for water if the town’s supply runs short. The state has prohibited Monteagle from constructing an additional water supply lake due to environmental concerns, according to Maloof. State officials suggested Monteagle construct an additional storage tank as a “stopgap.” Wilson said the forecast for the next four weeks called for above average rainfall. A grant opportunity could provide Monteagle with measurement equipment for Laurel Lake, Monteagle’s chief water source, to track the water level daily.

Taking up a Codes Enforcement issue, Codes Enforcement officer Travis Lawyer suggested the city designate him as a “special police officer” so he could testify in cases where he brought charges against an offender, such as the recent issue regarding demolition of the Mountain Inn. Raline supported the idea. “We [police officers] wouldn’t know what he knows,” he said. “That’s important,” Maloof concurred.

The Monteagle Council will begin hosting workshops every Monday at 5 p.m., except on council meeting Mondays, typically the last Monday of the month. Next month, the council will meet May 26 to avoid a conflict with Memorial Day.