MEIGS — Public works director Charles Wimes will be demoted for allegedly selling two surplus city vehicles without following state law following a special session Tuesday of the Meigs City Council.

Wimes will be demoted to a regular employee in the public works department, but his wages will remain unchanged as a result of a violation of proper procedures for the sale of surplus property and not notifying Mayor Cheryl Walters or the council.

A majority vote by the city council reached the decision during executive session March 26.

Wimes’ wife Dorothy, a member of the city council, abstained from the vote.

Assistant public works director Leonard Gibson will take over Wimes’ position in an interim capacity until he or another candidate can be hired by the city council as a permanent replacement.

If the city decides to hire a new city manager, either in a planned April 2 meeting or at a later date, he or she will oversee the public works department.

The city council previously discussed potential disciplinary action for Wimes during an executive session March 18 following a report from Walters on her investigation but they did not reach an decision.

Wimes is alleged to have found a purchaser in Albany for two city-owned surplus vehicles, a 1995 Chevrolet S-10 and a 1997 Ford F-150, and sold them without taking bids Jan. 10.

Two checks for $200 and $300 were then deposited into the city’s general fund Jan. 14.

Officials at the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office previously informed the mayor that Wimes may have violated Georgia Code §36-37-6 by not providing public notice or accepting bids, but that no criminal penalty is attached to the statute.

City attorney Thomas Lehman advised Walters on March 18 that a decision on how to discipline Wimes must be made by the city council.

Walters spoke with Wimes about the transaction last week and he stated former police chief Darrell Laster was responsible for the sale.

Laster, who was terminated by the city council Feb. 18, denied responsibility for the transaction and told Walters the police department was in no way involved in the sale of public works vehicles and was only responsible for police equipment.

The mayor said she was not aware of the sale of the property and that the council was not notified of the transaction before it occurred.

A resident later contacted Walters asking why he was unable to bid on the vehicles, alerting her to the transaction and opening her investigation.