The Town of Washington met Monday to discuss passing a budget and appointing someone to the vacant mayor position.
The town was successfully able to approve the budget after failing numerous times this year. In November,a public hearing and special meeting was held concerning the town's budget which failed to happen after three council members didn't show up.
The town failed to pass a budget in October , prompting a possible state takeover. The town has a $600,000 budget shortfall and has been operating in a deficit for the past six years.
The meeting was not without its discourse, several resident and council members clashed during the evening with some being escorted out of the building. Alderman-at-Large Mona Bob Wilson says that even with the disruptions she had a goal of passing the budget in mind.
"When you can't have order you can't accomplish anything. We did accomplish passing the budget, adopting the budget which was the biggest goal that I had as far as what was on the agenda tonight," Wilson said.
On December 19, then mayor James Olivier resigned citing ill health. At the meeting Monday, the council was to discuss and appoint someone to fill the vacancy Oliver left until an election could be held. The council did not appoint anyone to the position and have until January 8, 2020 to do so. If they do not choose a person to fill the seat, the decision will go to the Governor's office.
Mona Wilson is acting at Mayor Pro-Temp for the city until someone is appointed.
That special election was called by the council which is required in connection with this vacancies. The election will be November 3, 2020 (primary), December 5, 2020 (general), with July 15-17, 2020 (qualifying).
