DECATUR — Mayor Bill Montgomery announced his plans to run for reelection in November, at Monday’s city council meeting.

Montgomery, who has been the mayor of Decatur for more than 15 years, said he originally planned to serve as mayor until the wastewater treatment plant was complete but isnow ready to face the challenge of bringing Gravette’s wastewater into Decatur for processing.

Longtime councilwoman Linda Martin said that she does not plan to run for another term in office.

The filing period for mayor and city council positions is in August. Information packets, filing requirements and forms are available at the Benton County Clerk’s Office.

In other business, Montgomery opened seven sealed bids for the police department’s 1997 Jeep Cherokee. Roger Huddleston of Fayetteville submitted the winning bid of $2,602. The other bids ranged in price from $360 to $2,020.

The council also passed and signed a resolution amending the city of Decatur’s employee retirement plan. The resolution is something the IRS requires to reinstate the retirement plan, but it will not change any of the city’s policies, city administrative assistant Kim Wilkins explained.

“All this is, is bringing this retirement account that has set since 2002 up to standards for the IRS,” Montgomery said.

News, Pages 2 on 03/10/2010