The Tallulah City Council met June 25 in regular session, addressing a range of city matters including contracts with Magnolia Water Service, delayed ordinance publications, and the proposed sale of a city-owned historic building.
The meeting opened with public comments expressing concerns about procedural violations. Councilman Toriano Wells said a curfew amendment ordinance had not been published in the newspaper in time, which he claimed was deliberate. He also raised concerns that the budget ordinance’s early publication violated state law governing public notice requirements.
Council members unanimously approved the corrected minutes from the June 5 meeting. During the review, Wells asked the City Attorney, Pamela Netterville Grady, about a letter that had been directed to be sent to Madison Point's management regarding outstanding audits. Grady confirmed the letter was still in draft form.
Robert Coleman and Anthony Rollins of Dallas, Texas, gave a presentation on their interest in purchasing the city-owned Coca-Cola building. They proposed transforming the site into a technology and fiber hub. A community member presented an alternative plan that included youth services and STEM education. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The council approved a resolution declaring July 2025 as Fair Housing Month.
Discussion then turned to a contract with Magnolia Water Service regarding the sharing of customer information. Councilwoman Carla Turner-Harris asked whether a letter could be sent to the Attorney General. Grady responded that she would need formal direction from the city. Wells said that the council had already directed such a letter, but Grady stated she had not been officially tasked with the request.
A procedural dispute followed concerning the reintroduction of the Magnolia contract, which had previously been voted down. Grady said a motion to reconsider could be offered by a council member who voted against it. Wells challenged the legality of that approach, and multiple council members engaged in an extended debate over parliamentary rules. A motion to reconsider passed, followed by a 3-2 vote to approve the contract.
The council then voted 3-2 to approve a second Magnolia contract covering disconnection and reconnection of water service. Questions were raised about the financial terms, including a disconnect fee of $50 and a reconnection fee of $50, which exceeds the city’s current ordinance-mandated fee of $75. The council discussed the need to update the ordinance to avoid losing money.
During public comment, Democratic State Central Committee member Antonio Wilson said a former Governor, likely John Bel Edwards, had described the Tallulah administration as “incompetent.” The Madison Journal reached out to Edwards for confirmation but has not received a response. Wilson also said he felt attacked by the city attorney for what he called “bad advice” given to the council.
Residents questioned whether improvements had been made at the water plant and whether accurate sewer billing was possible under current conditions. Mayor Charles Finlayson stated that Magnolia is operating the plant and using collected revenue to fund operations. All repairs, he said, have been paid for by state funds or Magnolia.
The council tabled a proposed special meeting to introduce budget amendments, voting unanimously to postpone it until July 10.
The meeting ended with disputes over budget development and parliamentary procedure. The session was adjourned without further votes.
