The Tallulah City Council met Nov. 13 and took action on an occupational license request, multiple sets of minutes, surplus equipment, an audit compliance questionnaire, and financial reports for the current fiscal year.
Interim Mayor Yvonne Lewis opened the meeting with the pledge and a prayer. The council voted to move an occupational license item to the start of the agenda. A motion to add a monthly bills-for-payment report to the agenda failed because the vote was not unanimous. Councilwoman Lisa Houston voted no.
Andrea Hicks requested an occupational license to operate a transitional home for girls ages 16 to 20. Hicks told the council she has been a foster parent for five years and plans to house a maximum of six girls at her home on Helen Street. She said the home would assist participants with school, work, counseling, and related needs. Residents raised questions about zoning and business activity in residential areas. The council approved the license on a roll-call vote, with all members voting yes.
The council approved the minutes of the Oct. 23 regular meeting after adding a letter submitted by an attendee of that meeting. Councilman Toriano Wells voted no. The council then approved the Oct. 28 special meeting minutes without changes. For the Nov. 5 special meeting minutes, Councilwoman Marjorie Day said Wells should have been marked absent. The council approved the minutes with that correction.
The city brought forward a $4,529 high bid for 18 surplus stainless-steel aerators from the wastewater treatment plant. Wells questioned the validity of the list of bids received and asked for bidder names. The council voted to table the item until complete information is provided.
A new engagement letter with Allen, Green & Williamson was presented because a separate firm could no longer perform quarterly federal payroll tax filings. Wells raised questions about contract terms and costs, with Lewis saying one item was added at no extra cost. The council approved the engagement letter. The vote was four in favor, with one abstention by Harris and one no by Wells.
The council reviewed the annual audit compliance questionnaire. After discussion, Wells identified answers that needed correction, including items related to budget adoption and airport reporting. The council voted to table the questionnaire until a corrected version is returned.
The administration presented general fund, street fund, and Section 8 financial reports through September. Because no city budget has been adopted for the fiscal year, the council is limited to spending no more than 50 percent of last year’s appropriations. According to the report, general fund expenditures through September totaled $944,184, with an estimated October total of $283,507. Street fund expenditures through August totaled $16,358, with estimates for September and October bringing the projected total to $42,824. Section 8 expenditures through August totaled $56,709, with estimated totals for September and October bringing projected spending to $113,639. Lewis said the totals remain within the required limit. Wells raised questions about prior-year budgets, accounting entries, consultant payments, and Section 8 administration. Discussion also included the interpretation of state law on allowable spending levels when a budget has not been adopted.
During public comment, residents raised concerns about zoning enforcement, engineering needs for drainage and street issues, and courtroom operations. A question was also raised about procedures for zoning complaints in the absence of an active zoning board.
