By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
LEEDS – The Leeds Council tabled the fiscal year 2022-2023 budget after Councilman Eric Turner voiced concerns about several items and the expenses being paid by the city.
Leeds City Council met on Monday, Oct. 3. (Photo by Nathan Prewett)
As the council was about to approve the minutes, Turner pointed out a detail about the resolution passed at the last meeting that authorized the mayor and staff to “take any and all such further actions necessary,” which is still there despite an agreement to strike that line.
Mayor David Miller said that this would be looked into before the council approved the minutes. In his report, Miller announced that the Jefferson Personnel Board approved the city making a payment to the Leeds Main Street program.
This has been the subject of discussion in past meetings where citizens have raised concerns about the city not making the payment to the program, though Miller has responded that it has to go through a process with the board and be approved.
Additionally, he announced that the historic Depot building is “ready for occupancy” and that he will present a proposal for a no-cost lease to allow those involved with Main Street to move there, which is said had restrooms, storage, and office space, is ADA compliant and has “high visibility.”
The Main Street Leeds Board will have to be informed and vote on any plan to change locations.
Shortly afterward, discussion came to approving the budget. Turner asked about several of the items in the Redevelopment Authority’s budget, including a $40,000 line for contract services.
He asked Miller what that was for, to which Miller replied that it was for a contract employee with the city who is involved in the Chamber of Commerce, as well as the city website and advertising.
Turner asked if she was under the personnel board, which Miller said that she was not. Councilwoman DeVoris Ragland-Pierce said that her position is under the board. City Attorney Scott Barnett clarified that personnel board does not govern the Redevelopment Authority.
Turner asked about $15,000 for advertising. RDA Chairman Mike Cauble stood and spoke, saying that these were expenses for the Everyone Leeds website and for advertising. It was also clarified that the expenses are not going to salaries.
Turner then asked about the whereabouts of a $600 monthly lease being paid to Lee Barnes for the building next to Lynn’s Office Lounge. Cauble said that it was included in one of the line items that listed $40,000 in expenses for parking lots. Turner pointed out that this amounts to $7,200 per year to Barnes, with another $38,000 for parking lots, making this more than $40,000.
“And I guess this question is for the council: why are we paying a private citizen $7,200 for an uninhabitable business that was condemned?” Turner asked.
Miller replied that the building is being investigated along with the Office Lounge to be sold for a restaurant. Turner reiterated his question, to which Miller said that the matter would be looked into.
Turner turned the subject to Lee Barnes as city prosecutor, saying that he is paid an estimated $43,000 per year, plus an additional $24,000 for appeals. He said that two years ago, he asked Linda Miller on the finance committee about this and was told that Barnes was being paid for appeals that he didn’t charge the city for and that this would eventually cease.
He asked Councilman Johnny Dutton in the past year about the $24,000 payments still being made to Barnes.
“He explained that it was like an insurance policy,” Dutton said. “That Mr. Barnes had agreed to handle one appeal if it came up, ten appeals if it came up, twenty appeals if it came up, and we would never have to pay any more money. But I’ve done research, I’ve done it years ago, and I’ve checked it out again this week: we’ve had like three appeals in twelve years, and it costs $700 to $1,000 to handle one appeal, so we’re paying $24,000 per year for appeals that don’t happen.”
Similarly, Miller said that would be investigated before Turner suggested that an amendment be made in the budget to reduce the payment. He also suggested that no vote be taken until the items are looked at.
Turner criticized the expenses being paid, particularly regarding leasing parking lots, saying that the amounts were unfair and compared it to the $12,000 being given to the library. Soon afterward, the council voted to table approving the budget.
In other business, the council:
- Agreed to give 90 days to a property owner on Saddle Trail to bring the building up to code, and
- Renewed the lease of a meeting space at the Civic Center being used by the Knights of Columbus.
Meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of every month at City Hall on 1400 9th Street Northeast. Agenda packets can be seen online at the City of Leeds website.
Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@gmail.com.
