By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

Members of the Madison City Council discussed several items – from compensation for judges to water utilities – during its work session last Friday.

Councilman Joe DiLetto asked about compensation for municipal court judges. He noted that the current rate is about $1,300 per month.

City Manager David Nunn said it has been at that rate for a couple of years.
DiLetto said he thought that amount was “light.”
“We’ve got a good judge,” he said. He asked his fellow councilmen to consider increasing that amount.
Councilman Michael Naples agreed with DiLetto.

 Nunn added that municipal court judge Charles Merritt is consistent without being predictable and treats people fairly and with respect.

“It’s a good setup; smooth,” he said. “Charles does a good job.”
Naples asked Nunn to speak with Merritt about having someone coordinate those doing community service.

Nunn spoke about water leak adjustments. He said when a “catastrophic use of water” occurs he determines the customer’s 12-month average and charges them that as well as half the cost of the leak amount.

“The city would recover its costs somewhat and the customer wouldn’t pay all that,” he said. “It’s some relief we can give and it means a lot to them.”

As to the city’s search for a police chief, Nunn said they interviewed 11 applicants out of the 50 who applied. He said that he along with Councilmen Whitey Hunt and Fred Perriman will do the next round of interviews of three to four candidates sometime next week.
In other news, during their called meeting immediately preceding the work session councilmen approved beer and wine applications for both Eckerd Corp./Rite Aid and Raceway.

The application for Raceway is a 60-day provisional license pending fingerprint results for the new store manager. If fingerprint results are favorable, at the end of the 60 days the license would become a permanent license for 2013.

Also, City Clerk Mellie Thomas reminded councilmen that their campaign contribution forms as well as their financial disclosure forms are due soon.

Printed in the January 3, 2013 edition