The Tallulah City Council accepted the resignation of City Attorney Pamela Grady, heard presentations from two attorneys interested in the position, reviewed financial and audit matters, and discussed ongoing concerns related to the city’s water system during its regular meeting Thursday.
Grady’s resignation was approved with an effective date of Jan. 9 after discussion over whether the item met the council’s 24-hour agenda requirement. The vote passed with council members Harris, Day and Scott voting in favor and Wells voting against.
The council heard introductory remarks from attorneys Darnecia Miley of Monroe and Michael Ellington of Winnsboro, both of whom expressed interest in serving as city attorney. Miley said she has practiced law for several years and currently operates a private practice while teaching at Grambling State University. Ellington said he serves as an assistant district attorney in the Fifth Judicial District and represents several municipalities as legal counsel. No selection was made.
Minutes from special council meetings held Nov. 13 and Nov. 24 were approved with corrections. Interim Mayor Yvonne Lewis also explained that a budget ordinance adopted Nov. 24 will not take effect until Dec. 24 because no effective date was included in the ordinance, a circumstance she said may result in an audit finding.
The council approved the Section 8 housing report, which showed the program currently has 50 active participants out of 63 possible vouchers. Officials reported $23,535.47 was disbursed in November and $22,053.47 in December through half-set-aside funding.
Council members also approved the Louisiana compliance questionnaire for the city’s fiscal year 2024–25 audit after discussion about unanswered airport-related questions. Lewis said the city was instructed by its auditor not to complete that section because Tallulah does not operate an airport.
Lewis said the city requested and received an audit deadline extension after being notified that a required compliance supplement had not been issued by the Office of Management and Budget. She said the audit is expected to be submitted by Dec. 31, the original deadline.
The council approved a resolution authorizing Lewis to have signing privileges on city accounts at Delta Bank. Lewis said former Mayor Charles Finlayson has been removed as a signer from Capital One accounts and steps are being taken to remove him from remaining accounts.
During a review of general fund financial statements through October, council member Toriano Wells raised questions about payments listed under the mayor’s office and the community center. Lewis directed city staff to provide documentation explaining the questioned expenses.
Extended discussion focused on the city’s water system and its contract with Magnolia Water. Lewis said Magnolia has expressed interest in purchasing the system and estimates that between $4 million and $6 million is still needed to complete triage repairs at the treatment plant. Wells argued the city should develop an independent plan to regain control of the system and consider alternative management options before Magnolia’s contract expires in February.
Public comments included a request from Tallulah Police Chief Buster McCoy for funds already approved building renovations at the Tallulah Police Department, as well as a request for donations for distributing bottled water to residents who are elderly or homebound by Freddie "Birdman" Carter.
