Video of the meeting will be posted below this article as soon as it is processed.

Recorder‑Treasurer Rosalind McBride told the council auditors still have the 2024 files and are pressing for receipts the city cannot locate from a purchase made by the late Mayor Dale Booker. “I think he must have ordered online, and his receipt may be on his computer. We have it. We don't know where it is. We can't find it, and the auditor's upset about it,” McBride said.

McBride told the council the item in question had been paid for. “I'm thinking it was $424,” she said.

Mayor Ottis “Chuck” Otwell read the state legislative auditors sent the notice the city received and warned of the stakes if the audit is not resolved. He told the council the state had warned that if the matter is not cleared up by June 30th  “they're going to withhold our sales tax share money, and there's our operating money going down the hill until we get it straightened out.”

The council agreed to temporarily carry forward last year’s budget figures so the city can continue operating while staff and auditors reconcile 2024 records.

The council approved routine bank housekeeping, removing four former check signers and adding new signers for the general, street, water works, payroll and grant accounts.

Patricia Bullard, nurse and long-term care administrator, was nominated to fill a vacant council seat by Ottis Otwell when he went from being a councilman briefly to becoming mayor.  The nomination was seconded by Councilwoman Sherri Dowings, and the council approved her appointment.

Council members asked for a full breakdown of trash pickup costs, including labor, fuel, tipping fees and equipment, and directed that information be returned at the next meeting before any fee change is considered.

Representatives of the Emmet Vision Association updated the council on Farmers Market operations and fundraising. Deanna Allen reported the market account held roughly $606 last month and that the market generated about $683 last year after expenses. 

JoAnn Muldrew of EVA asked the council to approve $600 to pay for grant‑writing on the Great Strides grant and separately requested a $500 per month stipend for the Farmers Market manager. Council members split on authorizing the stipend, some asking for a revenue report to show whether the market can sustain that cost.  Finally, Councilwoman Sherri Dowings moved that the market remain strictly volunteer‑run. That motion passed.

Allen confirmed in her EVA report that a yard sale will take place on May 9th on Highway 67 as a fundraiser for the organization. The Farmers Market will open the first Thursday in May.  The council approved Emmet Vision Association’s request to use the tornado shelter at no charge for a bingo fundraiser; Maurice Grant made the motion to approve the use of the shelter Saturday, May 16th and the motion passed.

Council members discussed the Great Strides grant timeline and agreed to table the $600 payment decision for the writing of the grant application until the May meeting so the council can review finances but ensure the application can still be submitted by the June 30 deadline.

Mayor Otwell was authorized by the council members to research a plaque in recognition of the late Mayor Dale Booker who served 40 years in the office, passing away just last month.

Above photo:  Mayor "Ottis" Chuck Otwell (left) speaks at the April 16th Emmet City Council meeting as Treasurer Recorder Rosalind McBride and City Council Member Maurice Grant (at right) look on.