The Mount Pleasant City Council meeting on November 5, 2024, highlighted significant concerns regarding transparency and accountability within the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and addressed the approval of the tax roll and levy for the upcoming year.

During the public comment section, residents raised serious allegations against Nathan Defoya, a key figure in the EDC. One speaker, who identified themselves as a former senior executive in the U.S. government, accused Defoya of withholding information related to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and misusing public funds for personal expenses. The speaker emphasized that such actions could constitute grounds for termination and called for a review of the EDC trustees' conduct, particularly regarding the appropriateness of gift card distributions.

Following the public comments, the council moved to item three on the agenda, which involved the approval of the tax roll and levy resolution 2024-16. Shirley Dickerson, the chief appraiser and tax assessor collector for Titus County, presented the tax roll, noting an overall increase of approximately 8% in taxable values compared to the previous year. The council unanimously approved the resolution, which sets the tax levy at $5,750,029.20.

The meeting also included a discussion on a pay request for Snyder Electric related to the water meter replacement project, with a payment of $477,816.52 proposed for work completed between September 21 and October 23. The council received updates on the project's progress, which has seen the replacement of nearly 5,000 meters to date.

Overall, the meeting underscored ongoing concerns about governance within the EDC and the city's financial planning, with residents calling for greater accountability from public officials. The council's approval of the tax roll reflects a commitment to maintaining fiscal responsibility as they navigate these challenges.