The published meeting agenda touched on several updates though the most spirited discussion
centered on Christmas bonuses for full time employees. The bonuses were first brought to the floor
by Councilperson Jo Gwen Phillips and later by Councilperson Sheila Dickson. Mayor Stacie
Mitchell-Gweah stated she was not prepared to consider bonuses when just last week the same
council members raised concerns about a budget shortfall. The budget shortfall. per the
councilmembers, was due to low ticket writing by the police department. A review of this and
previous year’s budget show that ticket revenue through October 2023 is $33,924 whereas for all of
2022, the city collected $38,430. This is a difference of just $4,506. The city had projected they
would collect $70,000 in ticket revenues though the city highest collection was $43,000 in 2019.
Phillips and Dickson sought to use funding from the remaining insurance dollars to cover the
bonuses, though in the budget meeting on December 5 th , they stated these same funds should be
used to pay for the roof replacement at library. The mayor reiterated that she was not prepared to
approve bonuses with looming budget concerns budget. Particularly, the budget remained
unsettled since many of the revenues line items in previous years had been over projected and
several of the expense line items had been under budgeted. She stated her pause to approve
bonuses was not a no, but rather a not now until she knew more of the budget. When 5GNews
talked to local residents to see what their thoughts were on issuing city employees’ bonuses, one
resident said “three months ago, the city said they could not fix the roads as it was not in the
budget. Now, we have money for bonuses. I much rather they patch a few streets than give out
bonuses.” Ultimately, Phillips and Dickson brought the motion to approve bonuses for full time
employees to the floor and it was ultimately vetoed by the mayor. The city’s attorney advised that
the matter would need to be addressed at the next city council meeting where a 2/3 majority would
be necessary to override the mayor’s veto.
The mayor announced that the city was conducting police officer interviews to fill the vacancies.
Though the city would continue vetting the candidates including conducting reference checks, the
mayor states she does not intend to extend any offers of employment until the budget has been
finalized. Only then, she says, will she have a firm grasp on the compensation package she could
offer incoming officers. Councilperson Barbara Hovarter asked if the mayor would allow newly
hired officers to write tickets or if she would instruct them not to write tickets too. The mayor
promptly corrected Hovarter stating she expects officers to do their job which includes writing
citations. She also clarified she has never instructed officers not to write tickets. She closed this
discussion by asking Hovarter, other members of the council and the public to consult with her
directly if there are ever any rumors or uncertainties they hold or have heard.
Other items on the agenda included a request to provide photos of flooding in your area to
watershed project. The project will provide funding to identify and design flood control measures
to reduce the impact of flooding in the Stamps, Lewisville, and surrounding areas.
The last update related to grant funding. The seemingly exciting news of over $250,0000 in
awarded grants for the city in the past 11 months was met mostly with silence by the council. The
total includes the latest award of a $160,000 grant to construct a walking trail at Dr. Maya Angelou
Memorial Park. This year grant funding nearly doubled the budget for the fire department, provides
funding to purchase bullet proof vests, support youth programs through a job readiness program
and increase capacity for rural housing development. Other grant notifications are pending
including a grant to make much needed repairs of the former senior citizen center.
