The Tallulah City Council tabled discussion of an investigative audit Thursday, Aug. 28 while also hearing updates on the city’s water and wastewater systems, street lighting, and a dispute over whether a local apartment complex lies within the city limits.
The meeting opened with Interim Mayor Yvonne Lewis announcing she had self-reported a possible violation of the state’s open meetings law to the attorney general’s office after disclosing private conversations with three council members at a previous meeting. Several council members objected that they were not shown the letter before it was sent.
Later, the council voted 4-1 to suspend approval of minutes from the Aug. 14 meeting after concerns were raised that Lewis, rather than the city clerk, had prepared them. Councilman Toriano Wells claimed state law requires the clerk to keep the official record.
The council then approved a resolution declaring old aerators at the wastewater treatment plant surplus. Public comment on the item raised questions about potential liability if the equipment contained contamination.
Budget discussions also drew tension. An ordinance to introduce the 2026 municipal budget was read, but council members argued over whether salary increases were included. Lewis and the city attorney said details could only be discussed during the upcoming public hearing, not at the introduction.
A long-running issue over Kellogg Apartments resurfaced when former Mayor Gloria Hayden said residents there are being denied the right to vote in city elections. She presented maps and prior ordinances she said proved the complex is inside city limits. Council members said earlier ordinances had not been properly filed at the clerk of court’s office, leaving boundaries in dispute.
In her report, Lewis told the council the city has improved wastewater discharge numbers in recent weeks and is seeking funds for repairs to the oxidation pond liner. She also said Tallulah is working with state agencies to pursue grants for drainage and road work, and asked council members to submit lists of streetlight outages and missing signs.
The city’s drinking water system also drew discussion. Residents questioned whether it is safe. Lewis said the state reports the water is safe, but advised citizens to make their own decisions for their families. She added that a filtration system has been delivered but is awaiting approval from state engineers before being put online.
The council also discussed the historic district commission’s oversight of new construction downtown and questions about whether its authority had lapsed since it had not met recently. The commission last met three years ago.
The meeting closed with public pleas for unity. One resident urged elected officials to avoid personal attacks, while Wells countered that the council must still call out wrongdoing when it occurs.
Correction notice: The paragraph about the Kellogg Apartments listed Marjorie Day as the speaker, with the actual speaker being Gloria Hayden. The paragraph has been fixed to note this change.
