By Samantha Sinclair
The Demorest City Council had a lot on its agenda Tuesday night, including the first public hearing on potential millage rates, but most of the time and discussion came to one topic during public comment: City Manager Mark Musselwhite.
In fact, Councilman Jimmy Davis stepped down from the dais to speak at the podium for about 25 minutes, despite efforts from Mayor Jerry Harkness and Councilman Donnie Bennett informing him his time was up. He was encouraged to continue speaking by resident Sherri McCullough, who attempted to control the meeting from her position as a member of the audience.
In total, public comment lasted about 40 minutes.
Musselwhite’s alleged actions and behavior toward city staff and business owners were addressed by speakers, with Davis ultimately returning to the dais and asking when he could make a motion. When it was the appropriate time, that motion was to remove Musselwhite from his position as city manager and reinstate Casey Chastain as the city’s police chief. The motion failed due to the lack of a second supporting it.
For the millage rate to determine 2026 property taxes, the city is considering three options. The first is maintaining the rate at 6.593 mills. The second option increases the rate to 7.255 mills, while the third increases the rate to 7.60 mills. Musselwhite explained following the city’s work session that the balance between the three is how much money needs to be transferred from the Water Fund in order to balance the the $2.944 million budget. Transfers range from $1.364 million to $1.441 million.
There will be two more public hearings on the millage rate. The next hearing will be at 5 p.m. on Oct. 20, and the last will be at 6 p.m. on Oct. 27.