Empire President Sue Palmer addressed two key topics at Thursday’s regular meeting: the vacant treasurer and clerk positions, along with the ongoing short-term rental debate.
Palmer elected Alacia Acton as treasurer but did not reappoint current Clerk Derith Smith to her position, leaving that for President-elect Dan Davis.
Palmer and Smith have a long history of back-and-forth at various meetings during their tenure. Smith has been the clerk for nearly six years.
Empire resident and former council member Theresa Howes submitted a formal petition with 139 signatures, emphasizing village taxpayers’ desire for appointed clerk and treasurer positions to be filled by candidates with appropriate skills, experience, and integrity.
“It’s only been six years since the council had removed the clerk for gross deficiencies and performance and it cost the village a lot of time and money to remedy the problems. Derith and Alacia have served the village council and residents with excellence in their roles as clerk and treasurer, respectively,” Howes said. “No deficiencies in their performance of their duties, statutory or otherwise, have been noted. The cost of bringing someone else up to speed would be enormous,” Howes said.
In October, Palmer decided to open up the process and make both Acton and Smith reapply for their positions. With no additional applicants, Empire does not technically have a clerk. But Smith will still be working so village workers and bills can get paid.
“Derith Smith and Alacia Acton as clerk and treasurer have consistently provided the village with exemplary service, fully complying with all of their statutory duties,” Bacon said.
The heavily debated STR was listed on the agenda which brought a fiery crowd with it.
After not much talk and confusion of why STR was on the agenda, the decision was ultimately made to table it for the December regular meeting.
