Rockford meeting has one table
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Last week’s meeting of the Rockford Town Council saw very little action with primarily discussion items and updates on the agenda.
Aside from the routine monthly business of approving the minutes for the March meeting and the financial statements for March and April, since the council did not meet in April, the only other action the council took was to table one item on the agenda.
With all council members present, the Town Council heard from Sheriff Michael Howell regarding the town’s longstanding agreement with the county for housing the town’s inmates. He explained that Goodwater had approached him about the county housing its inmates and that he was reviewing the contract with the town to help determine how to proceed.
With the current agreement, he said the town currently pays $10 per day per inmate, with $5 going to the Sheriff’s Office and $5 to the county. That fee is for housing the inmates and providing three meals per day.
Howell said that he thinks it is appropriate to increase the fee to $20 per day, with the funds continuing to be split 50/50 with the Sheriff’s Office and county. He provided the council with copies of the draft contract for its review, but town attorney Tom Young was not present for the meeting to review the contract at that time.
County attorney John K. Johnson, who was present at the meeting, responded to some questions, reviewed the history and information of the contract and said that the fee is very low compared to surrounding areas.
Rockford Mayor Scott White said that he did not see any problem with the new contract or the increased fee.
Councilmember Robert Smith asked about how many inmates the county generally houses for the town. Howell said that there was only one inmate for one day in the previous month and that some months the town has none.
He added that usually the town only has one inmate at the county jail and that they do not stay long. He and Town Clerk Lesle Nelson said that the most the town has ever paid was $300 for one inmate who stayed in custody longer.
In further discussion, Howell also explained that if a suspect is charged with a felony then the town does not pay the fee per the agreement. He said the agreement and fee only apply for misdemeanor arrests made by Rockford Police Department.
Johnson added that the County Commission will also have to approve the updated agreement before it would take affect.
After discussion, Councilmember Nieshia Whetstone voiced that she would like to table the matter until the town’s next meeting in order to see what the commission does. She made a motion to that effect, and the council unanimously approved tabling the item until its June meeting.
In other business, at last Tuesday evening’s meeting White also reported that the town had hired two new part-time police officers, Donald Giles and William Hubbard. At that time he said that they would start work with the town in a week and a half, stating that they will rotate their hours as part-time officers.
White said that Giles and Hubbard will attend the next meeting so that the council would have the opportunity to meet them next month.
Regarding town vehicles, White said at the time the police Tahoe was in the shop having repairs done, which was why Police Chief George Fanning had been utilizing the patrol car recently. He also said the town would be looking into purchasing a new maintenance truck soon as the current one has had numerous issues and had to be towed twice recently.
White also spoke to the council regarding town property, including the old home economics building and town park.
He mentioned the deplorable condition of the home economics building and said that the town can save what it can, but that it is time to move forward with getting rid of the run-down building. Councilmember Lynn Anne Castleberry mentioned there was significant water damage to the building and said that it is too dangerous to walk across the floor because it is not structurally sound.
White said that he would get some prices for tearing down the building, adding that he also spoke with a county commissioner and County Engineer Tad Eason to see about the possibility of the county helping to raze the building.
Regarding the park, White said that it is “looking really good,” but that they are running out of room. He also mentioned some issues at the park with people taking advantage of the entrance gate’s location and pulling vehicles into the park, which is prohibited.
As such, he said that they would be working at the park and moving fences, as well as changing the entrance location to help prevent people from pulling vehicles into the park grounds.
Also regarding the park, White said that the town’s second mural, “Stronger Together,” would be featured there. He reminded everyone of the town’s Spring Fling being held there tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., inviting everyone to attend, and said that guests will have the opportunity to add their hand prints to the mural.
He also mentioned that LifeSouth would be on site for Spring Fling hosting a blood drive in honor of Councilmember Robert Smith.
In other business, local resident Dorothy Dunlap addressed the council regarding her letter to the editor about respect and support for the Town Council, which ran in the May 10 edition.
Dunlap thanked the council for the time and opportunity to speak to them and mentioned the change in the council’s meeting date which was announced after her letter ran, with the council meeting a day earlier than scheduled so as to not coincide with the high school graduation.
She said that not everyone gets the newspaper, so she wanted to share her letter with them. After reading her letter aloud to the council, she asked attendees who also support the council to stand up with her in a show of their support.
Audio of the May meeting of the Rockford Town Council is available to subscribers here.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Rockford Town Council will be held at 6 p.m. June 18.
