Joely Mixon of the Mike Mixon CPA firm in Clarkesville will serve as the interim treasurer for the city of Demorest. The Demorest City Council unanimously approved Mixon’s hiring after emerging from executive session during a work session on Monday.
During an impromptu press conference following the meeting Demorest Mayor Rick Austin called Mixon “A great fit.” He said Mixon has been working as Demorest’s bookkeeper for the last three months and her knowledge of the system is beneficial. “We’re not going to have to reinvent the wheel by finding someone else to fill that city treasurer position as we look for a city manager.”
Mayor addresses calls for former City Manager to be fired
In addition to addressing Mixon’s hiring, Austin fielded other questions from local media including the city’s decision to retain Juanita Crumley as City Clerk despite a recent managerial investigative report that pointed to numerous questionable practices at City Hall while Crumley was City Manager (she was demoted to City Clerk on the heels of that report). “The management report was the management report,” Austin said. “It outlined the day to day operating procedures that were ongoing inside the city office. It was not part of the criminal investigation it was just, basically, lining up what kind of practices were in place that would, perhaps, allow that type of money to be missing.”
Nearly $600,000 is missing from the Demorest City Water Fund. The missing funds date back to 2009.
Austin skirted a direct answer on whether he supports Crumley in her new position by saying, “The City Council has spoken and they want to see her stay and remain as City Clerk for the time being.”
Some city residents question the wisdom of keeping Crumley on staff in any capacity given that more than half-a-million dollars was stolen from city cofers while she was City Manager. Others defend Crumley saying she has served the city for many years and does not deserve to be fired.
Demorest filing insurance claims to recoup some of missing money
The Demorest City Council was updated by its attorney on his efforts to file insurance claims to recoup some of the missing money. Attorney Joseph Homans of Fox, Chandler Homans, Hicks & McKinnon, LLP of Dawsonville informed the council time is of the essence. He said he’s received letters from the insurance carrier questioning why claims are being filed back as late as 2009.
According to the recently released investigative report money was stolen from unguarded stacks of cash kept at City Hall on at least 450 occasions. Insurance will cover up to $10,000 per occurrence on accepted claims. Austin told local media he is hopeful some of the money that was stolen can be recouped.
