The Alto Town Council delayed adoption of its 2026 budget on Tuesday, capping a tense evening marked by disagreement over a closed executive session. Council members tabled the budget until a called meeting, extending a months-long process that has yet to produce an approved spending plan for the coming year.
The council did act on one other high-profile matter Tuesday night, accepting the resignation of Alto Police Chief Josh Ivey.
Open meeting moved to executive session
Alto Mayor Gail Armour began Tuesday night’s work session by reading a passage from the Bible. She 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,” the mayor said. Armour 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.
From open meeting to executive session
Fox pushed the group toward an executive session. Councilwoman Debbie Turner seconded as fellow council member, 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 seemly.” Fox 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 move. Reluctantly, Mayor Armour agreed.
The council moved into what turned out to be a lengthy executive session in place of public discussion.
When the meeting reconvened, Armour announced the council had accepted Chief Ivey’s resignation. Council members thanked him for his service, and he, in turn, thanked them for their support and the community. The council appointed Sean Rogers to serve as interim chief beginning January 14. Rogers and Ivey jointly accepted an award recognizing the Alto Police Department’s first-place finish in the Governor’s Challenge award.
Other recognitions
The meeting also included recognition of Alto’s designation as a City of Civility. The Georgia Municipal Association awarded the town that distinction after the council adopted a civility resolution.
The evening also included a moment of recognition for Huggins, who received a plaque honoring her years of service to Alto. A former mayor, Huggins was elected last year to complete the unexpired term of Carolyn McCabe, who died in September 2023. That term ends on December 31. Huggins withdrew from the race for reelection this fall, and Alto canceled its November municipal election. John Smith was declared the winner in the uncontested race. He will assume the Post 1 council seat in January.
Armour, who succeeded Huggins as mayor, praised Huggins’ record and said, “We celebrate her achievements,” noting her long commitment to the town. The two shared a brief hug as Huggins accepted a plaque recognizing her years of public service.
