After two full months of not having an official appointment, the Monticello City Council voted at Tuesday night’s meeting to appoint Taryn Wigley to fill the remainder of the current term for City Clerk which ends on December 31, 2024. Alderman Mike Wigley recused himself from the vote and Alderman Cedric Leonard voted “no”.
Wigley is a native of Northeast Arkansas, is married to local attorney Daniel Wigley and is a former employee of the City of Monticello.
In new business, the council voted seven to one to declare 938 E. College St. a nuisance. Alderman Leonard was the one “no” vote.
A resolution authorizing the purchase of a Knuckleboom TL3 Lightning Loader and to amend the City of Monticello One Cent Sales Tax budget for 2023 was passed. The Mayor stated that this piece of equipment was in great shape and was very helpful to the City employees during the clean up of the recent ice storm.
A resolution authorizing creation of a bank account for the deposit and expenditure of funds received from District Court was passed along with a resolution authorizing payment on the City of Monticello’s commitment for the construction of Scogin Drive to ARDOT and to amend the City of Monticello’s 2023 Street Fund.
Amendments to the short agenda were made and two items were added.
Fire Chief Eric Chisom addressed the council to inform them that the facility on Commerce Drive that was intended to be Fire Station #3 when purchased approximately 20 years ago, was being used by the County OEM office. There are no plans in place to use this building for a City fire station and the County Judge has offered $85,000 plus in kind physical labor to purchase the building from the City of Monticello. With the money from the sale of the facility, the fire chief stated that the department could construct a “live burn” building which would in turn lower the ISO rating and lower home owners insurance in the area. No action was taken at the meeting.
