Reynolds council halts public-works pay raise, approves property sales and mandates city attorney attendance

The Reynolds City Council voted on Jan. 26 to halt a planned pay raise for the public works department, approved sales of multiple city properties and adopted new policies about city attorney attendance and hiring procedures.

Mayor Fred Waller opened the regular meeting at the Train Depot at 6:31 p.m. and the council moved quickly through routine business, including unanimous adoption of an amended agenda that added items on generators and personnel. Fire Chief Sam McCrary reported that "the fire banquet was a great success" and said the department had three calls for the month.

The council recorded a split vote to stop the scheduled public-works pay raise, which George Stokes moved and Blake Stalnaker seconded. The council recorded three 'no' votes (Hannah Sloan, Brandon Hunter and Tommy Beeland) and three 'yes' votes (George Stokes, Bill Mims and Blake Stalnaker); Mayor Waller cast a vote in favor and the motion carried. After the vote, Councilmember Brandon Hunter moved to postpone further discussion of pay and personnel matters to a special called meeting set for Feb. 9, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.; that motion passed unanimously.

Council business also produced two property-sale actions after an executive session on property and personnel. Brandon Hunter moved to advertise Elm Street property for at least 15 days with a minimum sealed-bid opening at $20,000 and with the buyer required to provide a survey; that motion passed. Hunter also moved to sell a parcel described as RR and Liberty Street for $1,900 with Erie Barker to provide survey costs; Hannah Sloan seconded and the motion passed.

On procedural matters the council voted unanimously to remove a previous stipulation that had limited the city attorney's attendance at meetings and to instruct that the city attorney attend all regular meetings unless excused by the mayor or the city clerk. The council also approved a new hiring practice requiring a committee member and the city clerk to attend all hire and exit interviews for every department.

On public works the council authorized repairs to sinkholes on Horry Street and N. Collins Street that used a 24" metal pipe; Hannah Sloan moved to fund the repairs from Tsplost funds, Blake Stalnaker seconded and the motion passed. The repair cost was reported as $10,492.00. Staff also announced a CDBG-funded stormwater project at the Depot scheduled to go to bid on Feb. 15.

Other motions added to the special called meeting included a Beautification Committee item requested by Dawn Kinsey Ogburn (who said beautification funds would come from grants only), review of Fire Department heating/air quotations after three bids are received, and discussion of generators for Police Department and City Hall.

The council adjourned into executive session at 7:47 p.m. for property and personnel matters and returned at 8:32 p.m.; formal actions on property sales followed the executive session. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:36 p.m.

Votes at a glance: adoption of the amended agenda — unanimous; approval of minutes for three prior meetings — unanimous; sinkhole repair funded from Tsplost — unanimous; stop public-works pay raise — motion carried (Yes: George Stokes, Bill Mims, Blake Stalnaker, Mayor Fred Waller; No: Hannah Sloan, Brandon Hunter, Tommy Beeland); postpone personnel discussion to special called meeting — unanimous; advertise Elm Street for sealed bids, min. $20,000 — unanimous; sell RR & Liberty parcel for $1,900 (Erie Barker to provide survey costs) — unanimous.

Next steps: the council scheduled a special called meeting for Feb. 9, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. to address postponed personnel and equipment items; the CDBG stormwater project is set to go to bid on Feb. 15.