Ty Bell Lindsey

Ward 5 Meridian City Councilwoman Ty Bell Lindsey on Thursday responded to what she said were misleading comments made on social media by Mayor Jimmie Smith.

The post, published on May 22 on the City of Meridian’s Facebook page and sent as a news release to local media, highlighted financial difficulties experienced by Police Chief Deborah Naylor Young and Public Works Director David Hodge after funds were transferred out of their budgets by the City Council for safe keeping.

In a letter Thursday, Lindsey said the post, “contains inaccurate and misleading statements about the actions and decisions of the City Council.”

Lindsey did not identify which statements she believed to be misleading.

“It is disheartening to witness the dissemination of misinformation that can create unnecessary confusion and erode the trust our residents have placed in their local government,” she said. “We firmly believe that open and honest communication is the foundation of a healthy democracy. Therefore, we feel compelled to set the record straight and correct any misperceptions caused by the Mayor’s misleading post.”

The council in February voted to take funds from unfilled positions from Oct. 1 to Feb. 9 and move that money to the Legislative fund for repurposing. Each position in the city is fully funded for 12 months in each year’s budget, and the council’s goal was to free up funding while leaving enough to pay employees if the positions are filled before the remainder of the year.

In public works, funding from unfilled positions is used to supplement the department’s overtime budget and allow workers to stay on top of grass cutting and other tasks throughout the city. Hodge said in the city’s post his department was two months behind on grass cutting because it can’t afford to pay workers past 8 hours.

Public works has asked the council to return $150,000 of the $200,000 taken from its budget. The transfer has not been brought up by the council for a vote.

In the Facebook post, Young said her department was also struggling with the council not approving a transfer of funds.

“Fuel for our vehicles, which run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and having enough officers to work shifts and at special events is where it hurts us the most,” Young said in the post.

Both Hodge and Young have previously brought their funding concerns directly to the council during regularly scheduled public meetings. Chief Financial Officer Brandye Latimer said on May 9 the proposed budget amendments have also been submitted several times for inclusion on the council’s agenda but have so far been left off.

Lindsey urged residents to make sure they are getting their information from trusted sources such as statements by the City Council, public meetings and the City of Meridian’s website.

“As a united City Council, we remain dedicated to working collaboratively with our residents, local organizations and community stakeholders to enhance the quality of life in Meridian,” she said. “We will continue to prioritize open dialogue, inclusivity and the pursuit of positive change for the betterment of all our citizens.”