The Leslie City Council met on October 21. New municipal court judge Gregory Williams was sworn in. Benji Johnson announced the Sugar Cane Festival for November 2.

The Environmental Protection Division had previously sent a letter to the Mayor of Leslie dated August 28, stating that; “A review of the Division’s files revealed that the referenced water system is in violation of Section 391-3-5-23 of the Rules for Safe Drinking Water for failing to collect the required number of routine drinking water samples for microbiological analysis during the monthly compliance periods of June 2024 and July 2024.”

During citizens comments, Richard Vickers brought concerns about the water system. “I’m really curious on how it happened. Was it mechanical failure, human error, or just human neglect?”

Mayor Mathew Daniel replied. “The person that was responsible for doing it didn’t do it.”

Vickers asked how it was discovered. Daniel replied. “I was notified by the EPD through email.”

Vickers further questioned Daniel. “Up to that point you had no idea?”

Daniel replied. “No sir.”

Vickers asked how the situation was being rectified.

Daniel replied. “We contracted with somebody else, which we already approved that in the August meeting, which we’d already discussed about doing separation of duties before.”

Vickers asked if there were any fines associated with the lapse in testing. Daniel replied that the fine was $975.

Vickers responded. “Can I get a copy of those tests every month until I get a little bit of trust going on with the system?”

The assistant clerk commented. “The gentleman that’s doing the water sampling now, it’s a third party, so he does those monthly.” She stated where people can find the results after he submitted them to EPD. “It will be posted on their website.”

Vickers mentioned a past meeting that talked about 10 water meters that were previously missing. “Two things that nobody knew of until somebody brought it to their attention. I believe there ought to be an independent outside audit done on this office here, to find out of anything else that might be going on that we don’t know about.”

He further clarified his request. “Nobody knew of the ten meters until it was brought up, by the ex-city clerk. Nobody knew of the three water samples for three months that was not done by the ex-city clerk. What else might be going on?”

Daniel responded. “I don’t know what you’re referring to.”

Vickers continued to press Daniel. Daniel replied. “What I’m saying is, I don’t know who we would call, or what the options are there.”

For the companion piece covering the Leslie City Council, see Leslie City Council hears complaints about auction yard.