Carter, who was home ill Monday and Tuesday, did not attend Monday's meeting. I don't get angry often. I'm angry about this. Several other council members also expressed concern about the calculation and, according to a tape recording of the meeting, they wanted to take the discussion behind closed doors at a later date. He asked Rabun to set up an closed executive session in January on the topic.
State law allows closed-door meetings for the discussion of public employee disciplinary action.
Rabun said Carter made a mistake but shouldn't be punished. However, Rabun admitted city officials should have looked more closely at the figures before giving them to the council. The city's Utility Advisory Board, which fell out of favor with the council earlier this fall, also had not looked over the rate increase proposal before the issue was taken to the council. All year, the utility board has opposed any utility rate increases. Now, Thompson questions how the council can trust any numbers it is given by the staff.