Crockett City Council Accepts 2017 Fiscal Audit

Council Members Sworn In

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

CROCKETT – As the May 14 Crockett City Council meeting got underway, the first item of business concerned the canvassing of the May 5 election returns.

The results of the election showed Precinct Three Councilman Ernest Jackson an

d Precinct Four Councilperson Marquita Beasley were both unopposed. While Mayor Pro Tem Mike Marsh defeated Dr. Ianthia Fisher in the race for Precinct Five by a margin of 177 votes to 88 votes.

A motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the canvass.

Following the canvass, City Administrator John Angerstein administered the oath of office to both Jackson and Beasley. Marsh had a prior commitment and was unable to attend the council session. He will be sworn-in at a later date.

Once the oaths of office had been administered, Mayor Joni Clonts re

quested Molly Abele, an accountant with the Axley and Rode, LLP accounting firm, to come forward and present the city’s fiscal year 2017 audit.

“On page four is our opinion,” Abele said. “It states that everything is presented fairly in all materiel respects. We gave you an ‘unmodified’ opinion, which is the highest opinion we can give. It means that everything is correct in your financial statement.”

The audit report was unanimously approved.

In other matters brought before the council:

• The minutes of meetings held on April 2, April 6 and April 16 were approved by the council.
• Crockett Police Chief David “Buddy” Cross reported the police department received 397 calls for service during the month of April which resulted in 68 arrests. There were 59 traffic citations issued and 126 police reports filed.
• Crockett Fire Chief Jason Frizzell the fire department responded to 47 calls during the month of April with five structure fires. Of the 47 calls, 36 were in the city limits while 11 were in the county. Three of the structure fires were in the city limits while two were outside the city limits.
• In addition to his monthly report, Frizzell requested two changes to the Fire Department’s by-laws. The first was to add the Fire Marshal into the department’s command structure. The second item concerned the department’s training captain. Both items were approved.
• The fiscal year 2019 budget planning calendar was approved as presented. Proposed budgets and capital requests are due in the city administrator’s office by June 1.
• The transfer of Jerrod Vickers from the police department to the public works general superintendent was approved by a 3-2 vote. Mayor Clonts broke the tie.
• Gerald Colter was approved as a part-time street project manager.

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].