Spending a Century dispute

At the Century council meeting Jan. 13, Councilwoman Ann Brooks questioned Century Mayor Henry Hawkins about invoices totaling close to $2,000 for airline tickets he submitted for payment by the town after a group of California business men were flown in to discuss economic development in Century, allegedly approved by Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry, prior to the visitor's arrival.

“Mayor, I would like to ask you about the men that you paid their airfare and you paid their expenses while they were here that you said that Steven Barry authorized that, and that Mr. Barry has said that that is not correct,” said Brooks. “Because that is over $200, you did not have the authority to do that.”

“And again, I spoke with Mr. Barry, and he told me it was good,” said Hawkins.

“Did you read where he said that it was not?” said Brooks.

“I read what he said,” said Hawkins.

“And Mr. Barry told you, before you did it, that he approved that?” said Brooks.

“Yes, that's why I did it,” said Hawkins.

“So you're saying that Mr. Barry's not telling the truth?” said Brooks.

“That's why he called me a liar, I'll call him a liar,” replied Hawkins.

Brooks requested that the mayor, in the future, she thought, it would be better if he would bring expenditures to the council, because the council needs to vote on it because they need to approve it.

The monies in question were part of the $55,000 allotted by the county for the town of Century in 2016-2017 and $50,000 for 2017-2018 to be used for economic development. Of that $105,000, the county approved a contract with the University West Florida HAAS Center in the amount of $24,500 to conduct a market analysis of some vacant parcels in the town of Century. Potential economic development projects or ideas have to be submitted to the town council first, and if approved, are then presented to the county commissioners for approval, as outlined by the county's policy.

According to the Century Charter under Section 4.05: Powers and Duties of the Mayor: 'The mayor may authorize expenditures up to $200 and, in an emergency, authorize expenditures up to $500; however, when an expenditure of $200 or more but less than $500 is authorized, the president of the council must be notified immediately, and the president of the council shall take such action as deemed appropriate. An expenditure of $500 or more may not be authorized by the mayor under any circumstances.'

Hawkins thanked Brooks and the council meeting was adjourned due to no other business or public speaker requests.

Attempts to reach Commissioner Barry for comment were unsuccessful.