The City of Crockett Council Meeting on May 16, 2023, was marked by a passionate call for accountability and reform from community members, particularly regarding the Crockett Economic and Industrial Development Corporation (CEIDC). Virginia Lewis, a resident, urged the council to take immediate action in light of ongoing concerns about financial oversight and transparency within the CEIDC, which is currently under criminal investigation.

Lewis highlighted the need for preventative measures to address what she described as violations in expenditures and a lack of corrective action following audits. She emphasized the importance of a forensic audit to uncover the facts behind the financial issues, stating, "We all know what the facts reveal." Her comments reflected a growing frustration among citizens regarding the handling of CEIDC's operations and the perceived inaction from the council.

In her remarks, Lewis proposed several concrete steps for improvement, including relocating CEIDC staff to City Hall to optimize resources and revising the city’s charter for better oversight. She urged the council to act swiftly, saying, "Not 6 months from now, but now. Get on it."

The meeting, which drew a full house, also included an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, setting a tone of community engagement and civic responsibility. As the council navigates these pressing issues, the call for transparency and accountability remains a central theme among residents, signaling a demand for change in how local governance is conducted.