The Walnut Grove City Council could vote as soon as its Oct. 8 meeting on hiring a city marshal to serve as the city’s code enforcement officer, to enforce municipal ordinances, and to assist the Walton County Sheriff’s Office in its activities in the city.
Money for the position is in the city’s budget for the current fiscal year, but that does not necessarily mean the council must approve the position. The budget contemplates a $50,000 salary for a city marshal, with an additional $31,800 budgeted for a marshal department — covering medical and retirement benefits, training and education, office supplies and other items — for a total budget of $81,800.
Mayor Stephanie Moncrief and the city council got a first formal look at their Sept. 24 non-voting work session at a proposed ordinance that would establish a city marshal’s office and delineate its responsibilities. The city’s code currently references a marshal but does not set any formal duties or responsibilities for the post, City Administrator Joe Morris told the council…