Organizational Meeting Summary
This past Monday night, the Margaret City Council held its Organizational Meeting to officially begin the new administration. For many of us in the room, it marked not just a new term, but a new standard for how the City of Margaret conducts its business.
I want to thank everyone who took the time to attend and witness the beginning of what I believe will be a more transparent, accountable, and structured era for our city government. The work has already begun — quietly, methodically, and with a clear sense of purpose.
Doing the Work
Unfortunately, the previous administration did not provide the resources typically available to facilitate a smooth transition between administrations. This has led to the transition being slower than I would like, and I am now doing everything I can to review the systems in place in our city so that we can work for you, our fellow citizens. In the future, the standards for how this city operates will be higher. The way City Hall prepares, communicates, and manages the public’s business will change — not for the sake of appearances, but to ensure the people of Margaret always know that their government is functioning correctly and responsibly.
Since being sworn in, my time has been consumed by an unglamorous but essential task: digging through years of records. The truth is that many of the foundational responsibilities of the Mayor’s office have been mishandled for far too long — from basic administrative oversight to compliance.
Restoring integrity to these systems is not a quick fix. It’s a process of building — file by file, policy by policy, department by department. That is where my focus has been and will remain.
I take these responsibilities seriously. My time belongs to the work — not to online arguments, social media gossip, or distractions. I value public input and invite questions from citizens who genuinely seek to understand how our municipal government operates and how I will serve the citizens of Margaret over the next four years. Anyone who reaches out will see, as all of our fellow citizens will come to see in time, that facts, not noise, guide this administration.
One Voice, One Vision
Let me make something very clear: we are building Margaret for everyone.
Every decision that comes out of this office will be made in the interest of the entire city – not any one individual, group, or faction. No one person speaks for the City of Margaret as a whole except the Mayor elected by its citizens. That’s not ego; it’s structure. It’s how representative government works under Alabama law.
For the next four years, this administration’s focus will be on transparency, collaboration, accountability, and how we can best serve you, the citizens of our great city. We work for you, and I will strive to demonstrate that commitment to service every single day I have the privilege to serve as your Mayor.
I have already collected the priorities of several council members and look forward to hearing from the remaining council members about their priorities before the next council meeting.
Highlights from the Organizational Meeting
The Council’s Agenda included several foundational actions to ensure the city’s operations continue smoothly and lawfully:
✅ Regular Council Meetings will now be held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month at 6:00 PM, beginning Monday, November 17th.
✅ Decorum and order will be preserved in every city meeting. This council will conduct its business with respect and professionalism.
✅ The Council passed resolutions regarding check signing authority and related financial procedures, ensuring proper authorization and accountability in all city expenditures.
✅ No appointments were made at this meeting. A proposal to continue the prior administration’s appointments until new ones could be considered received no motion from Council.
Below is the entire Resolution that was in front of every member of council and I read word for word.
Resolution 2025-11-03-03 for consideration that remaining administrative officers and city -council appointed employees of the City of Margaret shall continue temporarily in their respective duties and at their current salaries until such time all applicable appointments/assignments are made permanent or the City Council takes other action.
A Word of Gratitude
I want to extend my sincere thanks to the City employees who have chosen to put their trust in this new administration. Many of you have worked through difficult circumstances and unclear leadership, yet you continue to show up with integrity and a commitment to serve the people of Margaret. You deserve clear direction and professional support, and that’s exactly what you will have going forward.
To the residents who placed their confidence in me through their votes — thank you for your trust. I do not take it lightly. Every decision made under this administration will be weighed by one standard: what is right for the people of Margaret in the long run.
And finally, to my family — thank you for your patience, for your faith, and for allowing me to invest the time and my PTO to give the time this office requires. Public service is not easy on families, but it is essential work, and your support makes it possible.
Looking Ahead
This is a new day for Margaret — one built on standards, service, and structure.
The coming months will not be about politics or personalities. They will be about restoring confidence in City Hall, modernizing operations, and making sure every department functions with clarity and purpose.
I look forward to working with every member of the city council to achieve the goals we have for our city and do what’s best for Margaret. We are a team, and when we work together, I know that the City of Margaret can continue to grow and prosper.
Progress begins with order. Trust begins with transparency. And leadership begins with accountability.
That’s the standard we’re building from — and that’s the standard we’ll be held to.
– Mayor Matt Tortorice
City of Margaret, Alabama
#BuildingMargaret #TransparencyInAction #CityLeadership #MayorMattTortorice
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