Amid financial woes, Gordon mayor defends travel expenses

Concerned about its ability to make payroll, the Gordon City Council on Monday voted to transfer $100,000 from its Georgia Fund 1 investment account into its general fund bank account. 

From a financial obligations standpoint, however, Gordon still isn’t out of the woods yet. Property tax bills, typically mailed out in October, will not be mailed out until mid-February, at the earliest. Like all municipalities in Georgia, the City of Gordon relies heavily on property tax collection to fill out its general fund. The city’s monthly payroll typically comes in between $88,000 to $100,000, depending on overtime accumulated by city employees, excluding water and sewer department employees, who are paid through a different fund.

Mayor Aprill Smith returned home in time to attend the council meeting after spending Saturday, Sunday and part of Monday at the Cities United Summit at the Omni Hotel in Atlanta. This was not lost on Councilwoman Dawn Beck, who made a motion to amend the meeting agenda to include a resolution “to suspend any travel expenses unless it’s mandatory, until we’re better off financially.” 

Ultimately, however, the resolution was never brought up for a vote after failing to garner the necessary support from other City Council members.

“If it’s travel, I’m gonna tell you, I’m going,” Smith said.

“What if we ain’t got no money? Are you still going?” asked Beck.

“It’s in the budget,” the mayor replied. “I literally just left the (state) capital today, trying to fight for this city. And if it means traveling, I’m gonna do it.”

At a regular meeting earlier this month, Smith informed the council that the city’s general fund was down to roughly $40,000. The city’s monthly payroll typically comes in between $88,000 to $100,000, depending on overtime accrued by city employees, excluding water and sewer department employees, who are paid through a different fund.

The county commission is scheduled to approve its millage rate at its regular meeting early next week, while the School Board is expected to follow suit on Feb. 10. Property tax collection won’t immediately begin rolling in, however, as property owners have 60 days to pay their bill before accruing any penalties or interest.