LIPSCOMB, Ala. (WBMA) — A judge’s order issued Monday is reshaping operations inside Lipscomb city government, as the City Council met Tuesday night with new momentum after a court ruling siding with the council in a dispute over key city appointments.
The court order directed Lipscomb Mayor Rob Sims to recognize Lanita Neal as police chief, reinstate William Baylor as city clerk and acknowledge Wayman Newton as the city’s attorney. The order also required the mayor to complete the necessary paperwork within 24 hours. Baylor, Neal and Newton were all in their positions Tuesday night.
SEE RELATED: Judge Orders Lipscomb Mayor to Recognize City Appointments Following Legal Dispute
SEE RELATED: Lipscomb council meeting erupts as mayor and members clash over agenda and power
SEE RELATED: Emergency meeting held by Lipscomb council addresses legal action
The ruling came a day before the council’s scheduled Tuesday meeting at 6 p.m. The court order was not listed on the agenda, but it hung over the meeting as the council considered a slate of city business. Mayor Rob Sims addressed the current positions in his mayor’s report, then said, “This is also a kind of saddened moment for me at the same time because we had multiple employees resign and turn in their resignation papers. As of right now, our staff is minimal. Unfortunately they could not be retained, they decided to terminate their employment. I also want to offer apologies to the City of Lipscomb, I also want to offer apologies to the interim chief, I also want to offer apologies to those who were employed here that are no longer employed here. We had hope to move the city forward and unfortunately I am offering these apologies on behalf of the city, as well as myself.”
“We speak about doing things in decency and order… I apologize. I take accountability for any and all my actions. I take full accountability. I just want to say thank you, I apologize for the inconvenience but I hope that the city can continue moving forward,” Mayor Sims went on to say during his mayor’s report.
Items on the Tuesday night agenda included several resolutions such as vehicle purchases for the compliance officer and public works, along with multiple ordinances ranging from pay adjustments to blight enforcement. Also on the agenda, proposed traffic cameras, farm animal restrictions and alcohol distance requirements. Not all items were addressed.
The meeting also uncovered ongoing questions about the city’s finances and who has access to the city’s bank account. At the time of the meeting, Sims was the only employee on the account, along with a woman he hired earlier this year as acting assistant clerk, Angela Jelks, who council members say is not an employee.
Sims defended his decision, saying, “There was no quorum and I didn’t want to be alone on the account for oversight purposes. So I made an executive decision to protect the city and anyone can hold me accountable for it. You can file an ethics complaint and ill hold myself accountable,” he said.
Two council members, Erskine Davis and Monique Wilkerson were said to have access to the bank account soon. Mayor Sims said he will ‘wipe his hands completely of the finances.’
While Sims abstained from every vote, the council moved forward on several items related to city operations. Council members said they believe the judge’s ruling will help the city make progress.
“Of course, work in progress, but seems like we’re on the right path. Gonna keep working together,” Monique Wilkerson said.
“Moving forward, moving forward, we’re gonna move forward as fast as we can,” Erskine Davis said.
After Tuesday’s meeting, an attempt was made to interview Sims again, but he declined, saying he has been busy and will contact us to set up an interview.
“I’ll be in touch with you,” he told ABC 33/40’s I-Team. We will continue to follow up on that request.
Tuesday’s meeting lasted more than two hours. The city will continue its council meeting Wednesday at 3 p.m.