MEIGS — A failed impeachment of a city council member was one of many hot discussion points at a Meigs City Council meeting Monday night.

Impeachment charges, which failed to gain a necessary two-thirds vote of council, were brought against Council member Dorothy Wimes, and those accusations were the subject of a trial and hearing during the regular council meeting.

Former Meigs mayor Linda Harris brought forth the grounds of impeachment at the Sept. 19 regular council meeting.

Harris provided the council documents from a Sept. 15 investigation by the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office.

Lt. Tim Watkins, investigator for the case, presented to the council his findings from the incident.

The incident stems from Harris reporting Wimes’ husband Charles utilizing city equipment and personnel to pave the driveway at their residence.

Upon investigation, Watkins discovered from former city manager Sid Perry that citizens and local businesses within the city were allowed to rent city equipment for personal use.

Watkins also told the council no city employees were found to have been used for the work.

No criminal charges were brought against Wimes. The case was closed Sept. 22, according to Watkins.

Reading a letter addressed to the council, Wimes said she was “very displeased” with the action of the city council.

The letter also addressed certain issues with council members and alleged council members had aligned with Harris for the impeachment.

Harris said later in the meeting that citizens came to her regarding the driveway incident when she was mayor.

She also alleged Wimes’ husband started the paperwork and receipts when he found out about the reported incident.

A receipt for a $20 check to the City of Meigs for renting the city truck for a hour was in found in the investigation.

City Attorney Tom Lehman explained a two-thirds vote of the entire council was necessary for impeachment.

In a 3-2 vote, the call for impeachment failed.

“The vote fails for lack of two-thirds vote of entire council,” Cheryl Walters, the newly sworn-in mayor, said.

Council members Jimmy Layton, Stephanie Battle and Cynthia Anderson voted in favor, and Lizzie Battle and Wimes were against.

Lehman said Wimes was permitted to vote.

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.