Mt. Vernon Police Department adds manpower, city officials discuss possible splash pad for city

The Mt. Vernon Police Department added an officer at the board of aldermen meeting on Oct. 13. The news comes after the city hired a new assistant chief of police in a closed session meeting on Oct. 5.
 
At the same meeting, city officials discussed a grant that could potentially fund a new splash pad. Mayor Jason Haymes also appointed a city prosecutor, a first for the city.
 
Department up to 6
During his report to the board, recently recruited chief of police Darren Call asked for authorization to hire a new officer, bringing his tally of working officers to six, a little more than half of the department’s full force of 11 officers. The board approved the hire of the new officer, Christina Marcum.
 
This comes after the board hired sergeant Ryan Devost and a new assistant chief of police in Lawrence Fleming at a closed session meeting on Oct. 5. That meeting also saw Detective Thomas Taylor promoted to sergeant.
 
The recent hires follow the resignation or retirement of multiple officers earlier this year, which resulted in an understaffed force, supplemented by a Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office presence.
 
 
Splash pad
 
Meagan Girth, director of economic development, brought forward a resolution that would authorize the city administrator to sign an application for a grant partially funding a new splash pad for the city.
 
The grant would require the city to put up half of the cost, according to Girth. A mid-price option would not have exceeded $500,000, requiring the city to commit funds for the 2028 budget year. Girth explained that she expects the project to be nearer to the $300,000 mark, requiring a $175,000 match from the city.
 
Haymes took issue with allocating funds for future boards. He argued that the current board cannot make financial decisions for future iterations of the body. He explained that before new members take their spot on the board, the governing body adjourns sine die or without setting a date to reconvene and then reforms as a new board.
 
“I don’t think that this board can allocate funds for a board two years from now,” he said. “When we adjourn sine die, we adjourn that day and then we reorganize after the election.”
 
City Attorney Toni Hendricks also raised concerns about the resolution’s wording and advised the board accordingly.  
 
“[We] need to meet the legal obligations of awarding commitments … what you’re able to do and not able to do,” said Henricks.
 
The board asked that the resolution be rewritten and presented at the next board meeting. Haymes also took a moment to thank Girth for her hard work on the project thus far.
 
 
City Prosecutor
 
Haymes took a moment at the beginning of the meeting to appoint a new city official. Haymes appointed Sarah Weber as the new city prosecutor to handle prosecutions for the city going forward.
 
“This will not change anything as far as the way the board spends money for legal services,” said Haymes.
 
Weber and her father have a firm in Monett. She has been practicing law since 2013, according to Haymes.
 
 
 
City administrator report
 
City administrator Robert Harrington asked the board for $13,025 to repair the Hickory Street storm siren and was granted the funds.
 
Harrington also asked the board for $40,211.75 to hire Blevins Asphalt to resurface Dallas Street from State Highway 39 to Landrum Street, as the city still has $80,000 in the budget for road repairs and improvements per Harrington.
 
Additionally, Harrington informed the board and attendees that water pressure in the city may be low for a short time in certain areas as the city undergoes hydrant flushing and flow testing.
 
The board also took a moment to recognize Harrington for a stellar achievement at his first-ever Apple Butter Makin’ Days. The city administrator conquered the corn eating contest at this year’s festival, sponsored by the local FFA chapter.