WSB-TV News Covers East Point Budget Debate: Councilman Tremayne Mitchell Urges Senior Programs Be Added Back To The Budget Before It’s Passed

WSB-TV visited East Point Friday, looking for answers as to why the city’s current budget has not yet been finalized.

Councilman Tremayne Mitchell (Ward C) spoke to Channel 2’s Tyisha Fernandes and said the proposed budget overlooks some essential funding for the community, including a program designed to help seniors and minus those funds, he could not support the budget as submitted to council.

“There was a program that did home repairs for seniors that needs to be funded. I believe there are 40 people on the waiting list now,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell has said approving the budget is of the utmost importance but critical funding the public has expressed support for must not be excluded.

“It is an urgent matter,” said Mitchell.

East Point’s current budget debate has featured several developments including numerous public speakers appearing before council to express concern over the current budget: That includes several seniors, among them former councilmembers and a former mayor.

The concern for many in the community is what the budget, proposed by City Manager Redmond Jones, includes and does not include. Many members of the community have insisted that city services for seniors are needed and have no reason being cut.

Although East Point was awarded a $500,000 CHIP Grant by the Georgia Department Of Community Affairs, those monies might prove too difficult to access for many of the seniors who need it. The funding comes with considerable requirements and obligations, potentially creating a scenario that greatly reduces the number of qualified applicants who could benefit from the program.

Said Mitchell:

“While CHIP funding is a valuable resource, it comes with federal and state requirements that may limit eligibility and create additional documentation and program restrictions. There are circumstances that could require repayment of repairs or penalties for selling the property.

Local funding allows the City greater flexibility to assist seniors who may not qualify under CHIP and to address urgent repairs with fewer barriers.

The CHIP grant should serve as a supplemental resource not a replacement for funding this program to assist our seniors”.

Around a quarter of East Point residents are aged 60 and older.

Councilmembers Mitchell (Ward C), Andrea Caldwell (Ward D At-Large), Latonya Martin-Rogers (Ward D), and Starr Cummings (Ward C At-Large) have been steadfast in their insistence that necessary support for seniors is a priority and have welcomed input from the public regarding budget funding.

Councilmembers Japera Hemming (Ward A At-Large), Eric Friedly (Ward A), Shean Atkins (Ward B At-Large), and Carrie Ziegler (Ward B) sought to pass the budget with numerous amendments that were brought up moments before the council would be expected to vote on the budget, providing little time for the full council to review the amendments and reach consensus, let alone approve the budget.

But East Point City Council Rules require council to only approve ordinances, including budgets, that are in a final written form: “Every proposed ordinance shall be introduced in writing and in the form required for final adoption” (Council Rule 16). 

Passing the budget Monday night would have likely violated that rule.