Edison adopts ‘recovery plan’ to address financial crisis

EDISON — The city of Edison confirmed its financial recovery plan during a City Council meeting Monday night and increased taxes, higher solid waste fees and a special tax system to fund the fire department are part of the plan.

Council members Jane Ingram, Jack Johnson, Tamara Shedrick and Mayor Pro Tem Billy Timpson were joined by City Attorney Tommy Coleman and Clerk Demetric Jackson for the meeting, which was open to the public.

Coleman opened the meeting by addressing about 40 members of the public who filled the old Lion’s Club room, location of the meeting. After complaints made about difficulties hearing council members in previous meetings, a PA system was brought in by an Edison resident.

“We have good news,” Coleman said to them Monday.

The good news was that while Edison is in a “horrible situation,” he said it’s possible for recovery.

As far as correcting the city’s audits, it could take a couple of months, Coleman said he was told by the state auditor.

“We’re on our own until that time, and we’ve got to raise sufficient money to pay our bills until that time,” he said

Edison is in debt “north of half a million dollars,” Coleman said Monday. This is in bank insurance, money owed to the current solid waste company, nearly $60,000 owed to the IRS and more.

The “recovery plan” was presented to council members and the mayor pro tem and then voted on in the same night.

Here’s what the adopted plan looks like, according to the document:

— The city’s millage rate (property tax rate) will be raised from 18 to 29 mills;

— Solid waste fees will be adopted to generate $25,000 a month “to satisfy past obligations and current expenses.” This will increase residents’ bills from $27 to $38.50 per month;

— Residents also could see an increase in water rates, as well as sewer and gas fees, to be able to cover the expenses for operating the systems, including employee salaries and benefits;

— A Law Enforcement Service District will be created to fund the operation of the police department;

The procedures to implement the city of Edison Purchasing and Accounts Payable Policies and Procedures Manual were adopted by the city in March.

Groans and sighs were heard throughout the room as Coleman and the council discussed increased fees and the amount of money owed, which has gone up consistently. However, Coleman was quick to shut down public involvement from those not on the agenda as guests. The last council meeting saw a number of interruptions from upset Edison residents. Coleman asked the public to stay quiet and not ask questions, which is the terms of a limited forum.

“We have obviously drifted far away from it,” Coleman said during the meeting. “You have a right to observe.”

It was agreed to hire Lori Moore, the former financial manager of Randolph County, which dealt with its own financial crisis about 10 years ago, to help assist with implementing the recovery plan. Thomas helped in the county’s recovery, Coleman said. She also works as an EMT and does financial work for the city of Lumpkin.

Marcia Killingsworth, an Edison resident who has been active in council meetings, was the first public commenter to speak. She called on the council and mayor pro tem to re-evaluate the decision to have Carl Williams as the elections supervisor. Killingsworth filed an official complaint to the Secretary of State’s office about his actions during the 2021 elections. This investigation is still open, she said.

Killingsworth, along with Edison residents Troy and Cheryl Timpson, are accusing Williams of showing a disregard for election policies and voters’ rights. Williams also served on the City Council with two people who are up for re-election, which Killingsworth said is a conflict of interest.

“There is a bit of a cloud over him right now, and I really request that the city of Edison do the right thing,” Killingsworth said during the meeting.

Timpson, a long-time Edison resident, said during the 2021 election, he was given a paper ballot and no booth to vote in in private. The official ballot machine, he said he was told, was filled with roaches. Ballots were placed in a wooden box.

A decision on Wiliams’ position as the elections supervisor was tabled.

The council members did not have much time to make these decisions, Timpson said.

“I think the city attorney rushed them into stuff,” he said.

Timpson along with his wife, Cheryl, took the city’s recovery into their own hands over the last weekend. On Saturday, Timpson organized a cookout fundraiser for Edison’s volunteer fire department, which needed repairs on a firetruck.

Repairs cost $2,700, and with the city’s current financial situation, Timpson said the department was skeptical that this cost would be met. More than 100 people showed up to the parking lot of the Family Dollar Tree Saturday, he said.

“When it comes to raising money, I can do it,” Timpson said. “When I cook, people will buy it. I do it because I want to help people.”

In three hours, $3,100 was raised, Timpson said. Many of the folks who showed up didn’t even ask for food, he added. They just wanted to help the fire department.

No members of the city government appeared, he said.

Edison residents will be able to voice concerns over the proposed millage rate increase at three public hearings on Sept. 18 at 6 p.m., as well as Sept. 20 at noon and 7 p.m. A location has not yet been announced for these hearings.