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This is the Mayor’s Meeting Report for August 2008

Good Evening,
I have several things to report this month.
We have been getting cost estimates together for the old school basis operation. The costs are running about 30k annual without any improvements. I have the final copy of the lease and if council approves I would like to ask for a motion for the signing of the lease. It will take several planning meetings to determine the exact source to take with the building. The CDBG grant that we thought we could get is not available to us so this will limit us on the amount of work we can do to the facility. The facility is something our community needs, it could provide adult ed,LMI offices, senior needs and rec services for our children. The town just has to be careful because of other debts it has so it does not place itself in a bad financial position again.
Speaking of finances, Terri presented me with a letter that came from the state treasurer. I will read it to you. Though we have our current assessments paid within 60 days the nightmare that will not go away is the assessments from 2003 that were not paid. In reviewing the records, assessments were paid correctly until 2000 than slowly the times frame on paying them started getting later and later. The monies were there in 2003 but the three big items that didn’t get paid were assessments taxes and retirement as I mentioned before. I’m tired of trying to work with the state about this problem, being told one thing and receiving a letter saying something else. Now the state wants to take funds away from us. I feel like the only way of addressing this correctly is to get an attorney involved. I would like to ask council to hire an attorney for this purpose. Burnie Maybank is the same attorney Buffton used for their problem with assessments with good results. I feel that he will get to the bottom of this and place responsibility where it needs to be placed. We need to put this bed once and for all otherwise we will have this hanging over our heads. The town must be vigilant in it review of its finances. This situation must never be allowed to repeat itself. You as council and the people of the town have the right to know if bills are being paid and audits are being performed in a timely manner. There are other issues we handled this month but none as important as this.
At this time I will give you a brief report on the finances.

I would like to recognize Peggy Thomas in her completion of the Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government. This is the first person that I know of in Cottageville government that has completed this course. This course takes over two years to complete. Thank you for the service you have provided for the town.