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Mona City Council approves business license for a small gunsmithing operation, clears finances and hears sheriff candidate
Summary
The council approved a business license inquiry for Skyler Thomas to operate low-volume gunsmithing by appointment at a residence, approved the regular finance packet (items over $5,000 highlighted), and heard public comment from Drake Underwood, a candidate for Joe County Sheriff; Sheriff Doug Anderson addressed staffing concerns.
At its April 28 meeting, the Mona City Council approved several routine items and heard public comment from a sheriff candidate.
Business license: The council considered a business license inquiry from Skyler Thomas to obtain a federal firearms license (FFL) for low-volume gunsmithing and scope installation at a residence. Thomas told the council the operation would be “by appointment only,” with minimal on-site ammunition and no signage: “A lot of people that I would be trying to sell to don't have a lot of time to get their guns ready and make sure that everything's zeroed… It'll be by appointment only, low foot traffic, no billboard,” he said. Planning/recorder staff reported they could not find a local zoning prohibition; the sheriff noted that the ATF and application procedures govern restricted firearm transfers and that the sheriff’s declaration is part of the federal application process. The council moved to approve the business license and recorded aye votes.
Finances: Finance officer Linda presented the regular finance packet and said she had highlighted everything over $5,000, calling out the fireworks deposit and water/plumbing supply purchases. “I've highlighted everything that's over $5,000,” she told the council. The council moved and voted to approve the finances as presented.
Public comment and public safety exchanges: During the public comment period, Drake Underwood introduced himself and said he is running for Joe County Sheriff and outlined priorities including deputy retention, facilities, and public engagement: “My vision as your sheriff is straightforward, professionalism, transparency, and accountability,” Underwood said. Council members and Sheriff Doug Anderson discussed staffing levels. Anderson said the office has been understaffed for years, pointed to pay as a retention issue and said the department had raised base pay; he stated that service calls have increased “about 400%,” rising from roughly 2,000 to almost 9,500 calls per year over the past decade.
Other items: Recorder/staff updates included praise for a new employee (Carson), requests for a stop sign location, and discussion about tumbling equipment moved to a storage building that needs rodent remediation; a resident offered a historical poster and the council asked staff to research appraisal or disposition options.
The council closed the meeting after the public comment period; no further formal personnel action regarding the sheriff’s office was taken at the meeting.
