DECATUR — City council members voted to make Jay Williams the interim city attorney at Monday’s meeting.
Current Decatur city attorney Tom Smith was recently elected Benton County Circuit Court Division Three Judge. He has already told the council that he will no longer be able to serve as city attorney after he takes office in January.
Mayor Charles Linamsaid Smith has been difficult to reach over the past few months and said the city has several issues that need the advice of an attorney. Smith has agreed to resign before Jan. 1, but Linam said he has not yet received an official resignation.
Williams told the council that he served as Decatur’s city attorney for about five years during the 1990s. Williams has also served as the Gentry city attorney for 20 years and has a private practice in Gentry.
Will Trenthom also submitted a resume for the position of Decatur city attorney but was not present on Monday night. Linam recommended choosing Williams for the position because of his experience.
Williams recommended against appointing him the official city attorney before Smith had resigned. The council passed a motion to give the mayor permission to use Williams’ services as they are needed until a more permanent solution is found.
Sports, Pages 9 on 09/12/2012