RINGGOLD, Ga. — The Catoosa County Commission this week rejected the local library’s proposal to control its own finances.
With no discussion, the five commissioners voted Tuesday against a proposed in October by library board Chairwoman Darlene Cutler and Library Director Darla Chambliss. The vote means county administrators will continue to control the library’s money and personnel decisions.
None of the elected officials publicly explained their rationale. But a letter from County Manager Mike Helton describes a fractured relationship between county administrators and library leaders. Helton accuses Cutler of harming these relationships on purpose in an effort to get more power.
Among the specific accusations from Helton’s letter, dated Nov. 17:The library made 12 purchases from The Print Shop, where Cutler worked as a sales representative.
The library board hired the son of County Attorney Skip Patty to design a new website.