5-16-12 —     Monticello City Council met Monday evening and approved an amendment to the personnel policies and procedures that will create part-time seasonal positions of lifeguard and swimming instructor.

    The action was necessary so that personnel can be hired for the ASPIRE Center pool, which Mayor Jeffrey Edwards said should open later this month. The ASPIRE Center is currently operated under a joint city-county venture, with costs shared between the two governments, but employees are hired through the city.

    The amendment also included the creation of an Activities Director and Activities Assistant Director. Edwards said there are no plans to hire for these positions right now, but by creating them now they can be prepared in case there is a need for additional personnel and there is funding in place to pay them.

    Also during Monday’s meeting, the council heard the first reading of the budget ordinance for fiscal year 2013. The total general fund budget next year is $2,165,715. That includes $851,157 for the police department, $420,370 for general administration and $252,346 for the street department.

    No action was required since it was only the first reading of the proposed budget. It will require a second reading and council approval.

    In other action, the council:

    • Approved the second reading of an ordinance amending the current fiscal year budget.

    • Approved the re-appointment of Terry Kirkland to the Ethics Board and the re-appointment of Ruth Smith to the Housing Authority.