MINUTES OF A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF TALLASSEE, ALABAMA
JANUARY 12, 2025
The Mayor and the City Council of the City of Tallassee, Alabama convened in regular session on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Tallassee Municipal Complex. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Wiginton and the following were recorded as present:
Mayor Joey Wiginton
Council Members Easterling Carpenter
Linda McNeal Mosher
Damian Carr
Bill Hall
Terrel Brown
Sarah Jones
Fred Randall Hughey
John Smith was present as city attorney and Whitney Pitchford as secretary for the meeting.
Approval of minutes: On motion of Councilmember Hughey and a second by Councilmember Carr, all councilmembers present voted to approve the minutes of the December 8, 2025 work session. On motion of Councilmember Hughey and a second by Councilmember Jones, all councilmembers present voted to approve the minutes of the December 8, 2025 regular council meeting.
Mayor Wiginton then called the council’s attention to the agenda and the following occurred.
Item 1. Bishop Gauntt with the House of Love and Mercy requested $1500 from the City to help with expenses. Councilmember Brown made a motion to suspend the rules, seconded by Councilmember Mosher. Upon a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Hall made a motion to add $1500 to line item 01-514-5225 and to give it to the House of Love and Mercy, seconded by Councilmember Brown. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 2. Mayor Wiginton presented a copy of the winning bids from the surplus property to the council. Councilmember Hughey made a motion to accept all of the winning bids from the surplus property except the item that had a tie, seconded by Councilmember Brown. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 3. Chris McWaters discussed a Marti Gras event downtown February 14th and requested that the road be closed from S. Ann to the red light at James Street. Councilmember Brown made a motion to approve the event and road closure, seconded by Councilmember Carr. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 4. Rick Dorley discussed the increase in fees for industry and said that this would hurt businesses coming to Tallassee.
Item 5. David Price discussed a manufactured home going on Martin Street. The Planning Commission approved it at their last meeting. Councilmember Hughey made a motion to approve the manufactured home on Martin Street, seconded by Councilmember Carpenter. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Item 6. The amended business license ordinance was introduced.
Item 7. Mayor Wiginton discussed hiring a part time accountant. Councilmember Mosher asked if this would be replacing any current employees job/position, Mayor Wiginton said no that everyone would keep their current job. John Smith noted that if the City wished to hire someone, the job would need to be posted and interviews would need to be completed just like any other position. The other option would be to hire someone as a contracted worker. Mayor Wiginton stated that this is what he wanted to do. Councilmembers Mosher and Hall stated that they would want to review a contract before hiring anyone. Mayor Wiginton asked John Smith to draw up a contract to be reviewed at the next meeting.
Item 8. Mayor Wiginton and Chief Buce discussed the police department possibly leasing 6 vehicles. We would need to add $38,000 to 01-502-5236. This is for a 3 year lease and would be 5 patrol cars and 1 K9 vehicle. Councilmember Brown made a motion to suspend the rules, seconded by Councilmember Carr. Upon a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Jones made a motion to approve the leasing of 6 vehicles for the police department and to add $38,000 to line item 01-502-5236, seconded by Councilmember Hall. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Mayor’s Reports:
*Mayor Wiginton asked the Council to consider the purchase of Echo911 equipment for $20,541.80 for the police department. Councilmember Hughey made a motion to approve the Echo911 purchase, seconded by Councilmember Hall. Upon a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
*Great meeting with Rod Cater from Alabama Power.
*Meeting with Harsha about the East Side Mill Wednesday.
Council Reports:
Ward 1: Please add discuss Mayor going full time to the next agenda. John Smith wanted to clarify that a Mayor of a class 8 municipality could not go full time without a vote from the people. If the council wants Mayor Wiginton to be full time, it would have to be as the superintendent of utilities as discussed.
Ward 2. Good things are happening in town!
Ward 5: Agrees that a full time Mayor would benefit Tallassee.
Ward 6. Thanks to Chief Buce for all of the information that you brought tonight.
Ward 7: Public Safety Committee meeting will be Wednesday at 3:30.
There being no further business before the council, and upon a motion by Councilmember Hughey and a second by Councilmember Carr, with all councilmembers voting in favor, the council meeting was adjourned at 6:50 PM.
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JOEY WIGINTON, Mayor
ATTEST:
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WHITNEY PITCHFORD, City Clerk