The Alto town council’s work session began Tuesday with a passage from the third chapter of the Book of James. Mayor Gail Armour read the lines on wisdom and humility to frame a discussion that she hoped would prepare the room for the topics at hand. She opened with a discussion of the city’s water system, the ongoing meter project, and the need to approach municipal work in the same way a business approaches its product. “Our business is water,” she said. She asked the council to consider what made the town unique and how “organization builds growth.”
The meeting did not hold that tone for long.
Halfway through her remarks, Councilman Allen Fox interjected, stating, “You’re saying a lot of words, but I need you to land the plane.” He pressed her to frame her position in the terms he believed she should use. What began as a conversation about direction, identity, and water narrowed into a struggle over who set the terms of the discussion before the 7 p.m. council meeting.
The shift accelerated before the council even reached the printed agenda items for new business: adoption of the 2026 budget, acknowledgment of the police chief’s resignation, and an executive session related to personnel. Fox pushed the group toward that executive session. Debbie Turner seconded. Councilwoman P.J. Huggins urged the mayor to move into executive session, saying it would be “to your advantage to go to executive.” Fox led the effort to set aside the open work session and move behind closed doors.
The mayor asked to stay on schedule, but Fox continued to press for a closed meeting. He pointed to other Northeast Georgia cities that follow that practice and said, “It’s perfectly standard.” He described the open work session as “a thing of our imagination” and pointed to the Sunshine Law to support his position.
Huggins and Turner also supported the shift. Reluctantly, the mayor acquiesced. The council agreed to move into a lengthy executive session in place of the public discussion.
When the meeting reopened, the council announced the resignation of Police Chief Josh Ivey of the Alto police department, an item printed on the agenda. They thanked him for his service, and he, in turn, thanked them for their support and the community. Sean Rogers will serve as interim chief beginning January 14. Furthermore, Mr. Rogers accepted a plaque recognizing the city’s first-place finish in the prestigious Governor’s Challenge award.
The City of Alto also accepted an award marking its new designation as a City of Civility by the Georgia Municipal Association. The mayor presented the recognition, which follows the council’s adoption of a civility resolution.
The evening also included a moment of recognition. Mrs. P.J. Huggins received a plaque honoring her years of service to the City of Alto. A former mayor, she was elected last year to complete the unexpired term of Carolyn McCabe, who died in September 2023. That term ends on December 31. The city canceled its November election after Huggins withdrew from the race. John Smith will assume the Post 1 seat. Mayor Gail Armour, who succeeded Huggins as mayor, praised her record and said, “We celebrate her achievements,” noting her long commitment to the city. The two shared a brief hug as Huggins accepted the plaque.
The council then turned to the remaining item listed under new business: the 2026 budget. Members decided to table its adoption until a called meeting.
