MINUTES OF A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF TALLASSEE, ALABAMA
FEBRUARY 23, 2026
The Mayor and the City Council of the City of Tallassee, Alabama convened in regular session on Monday, February 23, 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-absent
Terrel Brown
Sarah Jones
Fred Randall Hughey
John Smith was present as city attorney and as secretary for the meeting in the absence of city clerk Whitney Pitchford.
Approval of minutes: On motion of Councilmember Hughey and a second by Councilmember Brown, all councilmembers present voted to approve the minutes of the February 9, 2026 work session. On motion of Councilmember Hughey and a second by Councilmember Carr, all councilmembers present voted to approve the minutes of the February 9, 2026 regular council meeting.
Mayor Wiginton then called the council’s attention to the agenda and the following occurred.
Item 1: The revised Floodplain ordinance was introduced at the February 9, 2026 meeting. There being no further discussion about the ordinance, and upon motion of Councilmember Carr and a second by Councilmember Carpenter, with all councilmembers present voting in favor, the ordinance was approved.
Item 2: Mayor Wiginton read a proposed proclamation for Arbor Day. Upon motion of Councilmember Brown and a second by Councilmember Carpenter, with all councilmembers present voting in favor, the resolution was approved.
Item 3: Mayor Wiginton next turned to an economic development issue that required amending the budget to transfer $13,000 into city budget line item 01-514-5070. Councilmember Carr, seconded by Councilmember Huey, moved to suspend the rules. On a roll call vote, all members present voted in favor and none voted against suspending the rules. Councilmember Carr, with a second by Councilmember Brown, and all councilmembers present voting in favor, then approved the request transfer of the sums into city budget line item 01-514-5070.
Item 4: Mayor Wiginton recognized Tallassee Volunteer Fire Chief Eric Jones to discuss adding a full-time firefighter to the city’s payroll. Chief Jones explained the benefits of having a full-time firefighter and requested $38,000 to fund the position. This is not currently in the city’s budget and the budget would have to be amended to fund the position. Councilmember Huey, seconded by Councilmember Brown, moved to suspend the rules. On a roll call vote, all members present voted in favor and none voted against suspending the rules. Councilmember Brown, with a second by Councilmember Carr, with all councilmembers present voting in favor, then approved the creation of a full-time firefighter position with a budgeted salary of $38,000.
Item 5: The council next turned its attention to setting a date for the annual Samson Strong 5K run. On motion of Councilmember Huey and a second by Councilmember Brown, with all councilmembers present voting in favor, the council approved April 25, 2026 as the date for this event.
Item 6: Mayor Wigington recognized Brooke Rigsby to discuss a community service project scheduled for July 9, 10 and 11, 2026. 7th to 12th grade boys from local high schools will be providing, free of charge and under adult supervision, repair work to homes of elderly and disabled residents of Tallassee. These will be not be provided to rental houses except that the participants will clean up yards and cut grass for renters. Mrs. Rigsby explained how members of the community could request service from the project’s participants.
Mayor’s Reports
- Mayor Wiginton recognized Elmore County Extension Agent Katrina Mitchell who made a presentation about her job and serves that she could provide to the city.
- Mayor Wiginton next raised the issue of employees donating leave time to Heather Sayers. Upon motion of Councilmember Jones and a second by Councilmember Carr, with all councilmembers present voting in favor, the time donation was approved.
- Mayor Wiginton next mentioned that possible revisions to the city’s recently passed mobile home ordinance could be addressed at the March 9, 2026 council meeting.
Council Reports
Ward 1- Councilmember Carpenter asked about possible ways to further police rental houses in the city limits. This included inspections by fire marshals as allowed by the Alabama Code and increasing business licenses for rental house owners based on the condition of each property. This will be further discussed by the council.
Ward 3- Councilmember Carr raised questions about the newly enacted city ordinance relating to mobile homes. He asked if modular homes could be excluded from the ordinance and whether it could be further revised. This issue will be addressed during the March 9, 2026 work session.
Ward 7- Councilmember Huey asked about moving regularly scheduled council meeting to the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. This issue will be taken up at the March 9, 2026 meeting.
There being no further business before the council, and upon motion of Councilmember Carr and a second by Councilmember Huey, with all councilmembers present voting in favor, the council meeting was adjourned at 6:29 p.m.
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JOEY WIGINTON, Mayor
ATTEST:
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WHITNEY PITCHFORD, City Clerk