Timmonsville seeks funds to pay overdue bill for police car

By: Charles Tomlinson | SCNOW
Published: October 08, 2008

Timmonsville officials are working to find $40,500 to pay an overdue bill for a police car the town purchased four years ago.

The town purchased four cars and has paid off one a year over the past four years. The most recent payment was due Sept. 22, town Clerk and Treasurer Jeongmi Park told council Tuesday.

She asked council to consider paying off the car from the Davenport fund, which Mayor James Beard Jr. said was established for such purposes.

Timmonsville has faced shortfalls in its water department this year and can’t pay the bill through the general fund because officials have relied on the expected sale of town-owned Main Street buildings to balance the budget, Park said.

Mayor Pro Tem Darrick Jackson asked how much money remained in the Davenport fund. Beard didn’t answer that question, but said he would take a motion to table the matter.

Jackson said council should hold a special meeting on the overdue bill as soon as possible.

He and councilman William James Jr. said council members have asked for monthly itemized financial statements but haven’t received any.

“It is of dire importance to us to know about the finances of the town,” James said.

Council also agreed to consider the feasibility of moving town hall — possibly along with the police department — to the former First Citizens bank building at 115 W. Main St. The current town hall, at 115 E. Main St., is overcrowded during council meetings and court sessions, council members said.

Beard also said the town plans to replace 15 water meters in “trouble spots” with radio-read meters, which can be read remotely with a handheld device to eliminate human error. He said the new meters will cost about $244 each.

Council also unanimously approved first readings of ordinances that reauthorize Florence County to provide planning and zoning as well as animal control services in Timmonsville.

The town also is establishing a utilities committee to make inquiries into water department efficiency and billing, Jackson said. Four of the town’s seven council members have made appointments to the committee.

Council also voted to reschedule its next regular scheduled meeting from Nov. 4, which is Election Day, to Nov. 5.