MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon City Council moved through several pieces of legislation Monday night, including new boundaries for the wards based on the 2010 Census and a contract with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
An ordinance redistributing the city’s four wards was approved Monday night. The city is required to revisit the breakdown of the wards and the number of residents in each after every Census.
Council recognized the Mount Vernon High School Debate Team for taking first and second place in the Knox County Debate Contest arguing whether or not cyberbullying should be a criminal act.
Two resolutions were passed that will help keep the city’s financial records in shape for the close of the year. Items of notable interest included the transfer of funds for police department training to a fund for the purchase of new uniforms.
Council member Mike Hillier questioned that training was part of the police department’s budget and not uniforms.
“I hope it’s not ‘We have money left so let’s find a way to spend it,’” Hillier said.
City Auditor Terry Scott said the department was able to participate in online training at a less expensive cost. He added the department has been looking into acquiring new uniforms that would not require dry cleaning and made from lighter material.