At last night’s City of LaFollette workshop, it was a full house. Several public works department employees were on hand for the discussion of an alternating four-day work week.

Councilmember Ann Thompson brought the discussion of the four-day work week to the table. Thompson is proposing employees alternate Fridays off. Under this suggestion, employees would work still work their allotted 80 hours. Mayor Mike Stanfield was quick to reply this has been tried in the past, it didn’t work then, and it won’t work now. Councilmember Lonnie Wilson suggested the City try this for six months and see how it works. The plan will be placed on next week’s agenda to vote on next Tuesday. The new work week would apply to all employees except police officers and firemen.

City Attorney Reid Troutman will be working on a new policy that defines the eligibility requirements for city health insurance. Stanfield is working on a parking agreement with CSX for the A frame property (on the four lane across from JR’s Tires), part of the current parking lot is on CSX property.

The council discussed promoting Mike Suttles from part-time to full-time status with the public works department at a salary of $21,638.24 beginning July 7.

STP projects on South Tennessee Avenue and Beech Street were discussed. Public Works Director Jim Mullens told council that funds will need to be appropriated on Tuesday night, and the South Tennessee Avenue paving project can start.

Police Chief Bill Roehl told council that he wanted to make them aware of an opportunity for the police department to obtain a Brinks vehicle for $1.  Council did not need to agree to this.

Prior to the workshop, the council held a public hearing for the 2018-19 budget. Resolution 2018-14 to amend the 2017-18 budget, due to general fund, special projects account and capital projects fund-CDBG were more than appropriated amounts was completed. A final reading of Ordinance 2018-05 was held; this is the annual appropriations ordinance for the 2018-19 fiscal year.  The new budget for 2018-2019 passed on its final reading on Monday afternoon.

The council approved the purchase of a 2000 Ford Explorer 4X4 for administration use in the amount of $1,500. Also, approved was the purchase of a 1996 Wells Fargo Trailer for the public works department in the amount of $500.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 06/26/2018-6AM)