MEIGS — The City of Meigs is currently without a dump truck, and the Meigs City Council discussed the issue at last week’s monthly council meeting. 

“It’s one of the main vehicles that we need, and we need it ASAP,” said Council member Jimmy Layton. 

Said Meigs Mayor Cheryl Walters, “The dump truck is one of the major pieces of equipment you need in a community.”

Walters added the city is operating under an emergency and is looking to schedule a called meeting to discuss a possible dump truck purchase. 

The city officials discussed an estimated $16,000 expenditure to convert a current City of Meigs truck to a dump truck. 

City attorney Tom Lehman estimated a $20,000 expenditure for purchasing a new dump truck. 

Funds from 2012’s special purpose local options sales tax (SPLOST) are set to be used for the purchase. 

A called meeting has not been scheduled. 

Along with discussing a big-ticket expenditure, the city officials also heard an audit update from Burke, Worsham, and Harrell, LLC, located in Bainbridge. 

A total of $7,226.39 in SPLOST collections was deposited into the general fund account, noted Kayla Calhoun, Burke, Worsham, and Harrell audit manager. The audit manager added the deposited funds would have to be transferred into the general fund account. The City of Meigs also does not have a budget for cemetery, recreation, and hotel/motel tax, according to the auditors.  

In other business, the council: 

• approved a millage rate of 15.00. 

• heard an update from Lehman on the proposed first draft of a new City of Meigs charter. 

• approval of a Meigs Police Department take home vehicle for officer Kristopher Sutton. 

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