The only candidate to qualify for Baldwin’s upcoming Post 1 city council election may start work earlier than expected. The city council is considering appointing Erik Keith to the post following Larry Lewallen’s unexpected resignation.
Lewallen, who served on the city council for ten years, resigned on September 25. He was not seeking reelection. Keith was the only qualifier for that post. Acting Mayor Alice Ventor stated last week they were checking with legal counsel to determine if they can appoint Keith to the council before he officially takes office in January.
If the council appoints him, Keith will fill the remainder of Lewallen’s term through the end of this year. He will then be sworn in for a full four-year term in January.
Baldwin council members will discuss Keith’s appointment during their monthly work session on Tuesday, October 3. The city council will also discuss Baldwin’s 2023 millage rate.
Millage rate talks
During budget hearings in June, there was very little discussion about whether the city council would roll back or raise the millage rate. The council set the current FY 2024 budget, anticipating keeping the millage rate static at 9.342 mills.
At last week’s regular council meeting, Baldwin Councilmember and mayoral candidate Stephanie Almagno indicated that she may be in favor of a partial rollback. Councilmember Maarten Venter stated he, too, might support a partial rollback, although he was more inclined to live up to the promise he made last year for a full rollback.
Before he resigned, Lewallen went on record saying he favored a full rollback. Now that he’s no longer on the council, it will be left to Almagno, Venter, and Councilmember Theron Ayers to decide.
Baldwin’s Acting Mayor, Alice Venter, said she does not favor a rollback.
Other items on Tuesday’s work session agenda include the purchase of a new police department vehicle and economic development.
The meeting is open to the public. It is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Baldwin Municipal Courtroom at 155 Willingham Avenue in Baldwin.
