The Rhome City Council passed a resolution censuring Mayor Patricia Mitchell at its meeting Thursday.
Mayor Pro-Tem Michelle Tye said that after three weeks of investigation and a lengthy discussion in executive session on Thursday, the council chose to censure Mitchell. Tye read the resolution aloud at the meeting.
“This resolution is put forth due to rude, discourteous and unprofessional conduct of Mayor Patricia Mitchell, which is beneath the dignity of the office of mayor, the City of Rhome, and in violation of the city’s code of ethics,” Tye read. “…A written complaint against Mayor Mitchell was submitted by a city employee, alleging that the mayor engages in bullying, intimidating, rude and unprofessional conduct towards city employees on a regular basis and providing specific examples … the council found that the mayor has, on several occasions, engaged with city employees in a rude, discourteous and unprofessional matter
“The city council further finds that Mayor Mitchell has failed to perform routine mayoral duties by regularly refusing to sign city documents without explanation and by declining to communicate and cooperate with key members of city staff.”
Mitchell was not in attendance at the meeting. The full resolution can be viewed on the City of Rhome website.
The police department also swore in a new officer, Danny Hanson.
“You’ve heard me say this before, that this is one of the best things I get to do as a chief — to bring incredible people to the city of Rhome,” Rhome Police Chief Eric Debus said. “When we have an opening, we are very selective when we decide who we’re going to add to the team here that we have started to assemble … [Hanson] is an impressive law enforcement officer.”
On April 17, the city held a town hall discussion regarding the upcoming elections and presented information on public infrastructure including water and wastewater systems to residents and business owners in the community.
Rhome is looking to improve infrastructure with a $17.5 million bond proposal.
The current bond debt rate for Rhome is 12.29 cents per $100 of home valuation for all outstanding debt. If all three projects are approved, the projected bond debt tax rate would be 42.38 cents in FY 2026/2027.
The bond is split into three propositions and includes drilling, constructing and improving water wells, improving and extending the West Wastewater Treatment Plant, and improving the sanitary sewer system.
During the town hall, Peter Pincoffs, founder of PMB Capital Investments, the developer behind the large housing subdivisions on the former Rolling V Ranch, was among speakers who spoke in support of the bond’s passage after a presentation on the proposed improvements. He said the current state of infrastructure could hold Rhome back from attracting businesses.
“I spent the afternoon finalizing a contract with a very large grocery company, one that I think would be very well received, that would go into Rolling V and serve our development and surrounding areas,” Pincoffs said. “They will not come if Rhome cannot take care of itself. If Rhome can’t take care of its city services, if Rhome cannot clean up its own sewer, if Rhome can’t provide water, the businesses are not going to come.”
“I have been involved out here for five years. I have been intentional in avoiding local politics. I have no choice but to speak up,” he added. “The disfunction in this town is widely known. Businesses avoid coming here because of the very loud voices of a relatively small number of people.”
Election day is May 4, and early voting will take place at Rhome Fire Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 22-26 and April 29 and 30.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.