Grayville Commissioner Andi Ford has a message for those participating in the rumor mill surrounding the misuse of city credit cards. She sees you and she wants you to do better.
I can assure you that anything charged to a city credit card is 100% verified with receipts and the particular charges in question are travel accommodations and registration expenses for four separate city employees who have attended training and conferences recently. To be bombarded with misinformation questioning the validity of these charges is ludicrous. When members of the public are approaching us with exact figures from the monthly bill statement when none of them nor anyone else has been to city hall to request this information, it can only mean someone who was provided with these figures is behind this dissemination of false accusations. It’s not my job to point the finger, but I would be remiss in my duties as finance commissioner if I didn’t address the issue.
Ford would go on to say she suspects the motive lies in mudslinging.
I have a feeling it’s to sully the reputation of the people who are doing their best to serve this city in order to promote ones self in the public eye. Those of you who are believing this nonsense, please check on the validity of statements before spreading misinformation further. I’d like to give kudos to those who have actually approached our treasurer and council members to ask about these accusations of fraud. We appreciate you having the wherewithal to ask and listen to the very simple explanation as to these charges. Any accusation of impropriety against our mayor or city administrator over the misuse of funds not only places a shadow of blame across those individuals, but also implicates everyone from our office staff, deputy clerk, treasurer Walden, and even myself as we all have a hand in ensuring all expenditures are verified and above board.
That was in the first fifteen minutes prior to a 20 minute executive session.
Once council emerged, leaders accepted the resignation of former Police Chief and current City Administrator Robert Hatcher. No details were given, but council members including Ford, Don Baldwin, and Mayor Thompson expressed their regret to see him exit. Hatcher took the reins as City Administrator in September 2024 following the retirement announcement of Jo Ellen Seil after 37 years as City Clerk. The city is looking for a replacement. Find more information at https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17Vqm1mgTt/. A special meeting has been set for November 7th at 8am to go over resumes.
In old business, leaders passed the Tax Levy Estimate choosing to not raise taxes, but making adjustments to ensure the library got it’s due. In all, the 2025/2026 levy is expected to produce $267,182. Council turned their nose up at a 3% raise in taxes that would’ve netted $275,197 and change and also turned down a 4.9% hike that would’ve resulted in $280,273.92.
Council also approved a $15,000 park project investment in electric at the concession stand. Mayor Travis Thompson says the Prep Committee is going to head up the concession stand expansion.
Finally, leaders agreed to allow solicitations at the 4-way on November 8th for Poppy Day. Members of the VFW and American Legion will be on hand accepting donations that morning.
Council adjourned at 7:44pm.