An open, yet heated debate ensued amongst Teague City Council last week when the 2019-2020 Budget finally passed during the Monday, September 16th, 2019 Regular Called Meeting.
All five aldermen and the mayor discussed the problem and concerns they had faced as the budget vote prompted an additional workshop, appearing on three agendas before final passage.
Alderman Place – 1 Jerry Ballew spoke about the importance of the Board of Aldermen properly discussing and handling their responsibilities.
Ballew states that if other issues existed they should have been addressed during the additional Budget Meeting held Monday, August 26th 2019. He explains that it is the Aldermen’s responsibility to discuss – during the open meetings – what issues exist for the benefit of the city and the citizens.
Alderman Place 5 – Ryan Mathison agreed that he should have spoke up during the Budget Workshop and that fact bothered him the entire night. He related emailing the Mayor and City Administrator with his concerns stating at that time he would not be voting until those concerns had been addressed. Alderman Place 2 – Rhonda Jones stated that, as one alderman had not been in attendance, she felt a great deal of pressure making a decision that would possibly result in a tie vote. She felt that all aldermen should be present to vote on something as important as the yearly budget.
Alderman Place 3 – Marie Hertenberger explained she felt someone was trying to “pull the wool” over the aldermen’s eyes.
According to Hertenberger, this feeling began with the issues over the Police Department acting as Animal Control with a $1.00 per hour raise. Then, it grew when she discovered that the Mayor had requested the City Administrator be given a raise of over $2,000.
At that time she felt the needed to closely evaluate the budget to be sure it was the best option for the citizens of Teague.
Following the September 9th, 2019 Council Meeting, when a lack of a vote caused the budget to fail the second time, Hertenberger says she discovered an email that night explaining that funds had been frozen for the city.
Mayor James Monks quickly spoke up at this point to state that Hertenberger had plenty of time to view the budget.
Monks explained that he did freeze the city budget for unapproved overtime and unnecessary purchases. He explained this was done to ensure money in the bank for employee salaries and operational cost could continue to be paid, in case the budget did not pass.
The freeze on funds did not apply to any health or safety purchases. However, all other purchases would require approval of the City Administrator, Theresa Prasil or himself.
Monks also explained that if the budget had not been passed and submitted to the tax office by 8:00 a.m. September 18th, 2019, that Teague would have been liable for an estimated $3000-$5000 for expenses of preparation and postage of tax bills.
Alderman Place 4 – Chris Nickleberry reminded everyone of the need to work together and that it is okay to disagree.
The discussion ended with the passing of the budget, and the meeting continued per the agenda.
Other actions include:
–Angela Sargent was hired into the Police Department.
–A discussion and vote over waiving the fees for the Teague Chamber of Commerce Parkfest and BBQ Cookoff. The vote to remove the fees passed.
–John Moore addressed the Board of Aldermen with concerns in regard to the current building codes in Teague. No action taken.
–A vote to purchase the PAR property failed, and a second vote to take no action passed. This property was the former location of the Farmers Market.
–The Resolution over the Texas High-Speed Central Railroad was passed. Click here to read more.