Council agrees to take up issue again at emergency meeting set for Thursday evening at City Hall
Mayor Dexter Hinton’s proposal that he says would expedite the resolution of the city’s water and sewer problems hit a stumbling block during Monday night’s Marion city council meeting. A proposed proclamation that would grant the mayor emergency powers to expedite repairs and improvements without the vote of the council failed to secure a motion for passage at the regular monthly meeting.
The proclamation, introduced, Hinton said, in response to pending actions against the city by both the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, sought to declare a local disaster emergency and provide the mayor with expanded authority to hire temporary workers, rent equipment, and enter contracts without the usual procedural requirements. The aim, Hinton said, was to tackle the critical issues identified by both ADEM and the EPA regarding the city’s water and sewer systems.
“They could fine us up to $19,000,” Hinton said, for continued violations.
However, councilmembers voiced concerns about the breadth of the powers being granted. Councilmember Willie Jackson highlighted the potential for unchecked spending and hiring, stating, “You could hire anyone…employees…buy equipment, everything else,” during the discussion.
City Attorney Ainka Jackson suggested that the council could amend the proclamation to limit the mayor’s enhanced authority strictly to water and sewerrelated issues.
Mayor Hinton said failure to pass the proclamation could jeopardize the funding and support from ADEM. “[ADEM] can pull back all the funds they gave us,” he said, emphasizing what he said was the need for immediate action to avoid further penalties.
Councilmember Jackson requested more time for the council to review the proclamation and consider potential amendments. Councilmembers voted to reconvene in an emergency meeting this Thursday to further discuss the issue and possibly revise the proclamation to address the concerns raised.
