By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — The Rainsville City Council held a special called meeting last night, January 10, at 5pm in the Council Chambers.

In a unanimous roll call vote, the Council voted to go into executive session to discuss the good name and character of a City employee. The Council met with members of the Agri-Business Center and the Public Building Authority (PBA), the City board that owns the Northeast Alabama Agri-Business Center.

The Council re-convened at 5:26pm. Councilmember Derek Rosson made the motion to come out of executive session, and Councilmember Ricky Byrum made a second. Councilmember Marshall Stiefel voted no to come out of executive session.

Councilmember Bejan Taheri made a motion of no action taken. Stiefel made a motion to terminate the employment of Agri-Business Center Director Mike Sweat, who is a City employee.

“After reviewing the financial records presented by the PBA, I feel that Mr. Sweat must go,” said Stiefel. “He is one of the highest paid employees in the City of Rainsville and should be held to a higher ethical standard.”

The motion died due to the lack of a second motion by another Councilmember. The meeting adjourned immediately.

Southern Torch will continue to follow this story as it unfolds.