Gordon city contractor fired on the spot

Tim Ingram, the man who’s guided the city of Gordon’s water and sewer strategy for almost two decades, was relieved of his duties following a City Council vote last Tuesday.

Ingram is the owner/operator of Ingram & Associates Consulting Engineers, based out of Macon. Ingram and his company are contracted by a number of other counties and municipalities in this area.

The city of Gordon has no “water department” or “water department director,” and it’s not immediately clear who will guide the city’s water and sewer strategy in Ingram & Associates’ stead.

During the meeting, Ingram initially gave an update on several projects. At some point, Mayor April Adside-Smith addressed Ingram directly, with the mayor telling Ingram that she was “very disappointed.” Adside-Smith asserted that Ingram was not proactive enough when applying for several grants in the past, while also voicing her concern about an upcoming application deadline.

The mayor spoke passionately.

“I’m not playing…This is our city we’re talking about. This is our city we’re talking about,” she said. “I put my city up and I do everything I can, that I know how.”

Councilman Rodney Evans then spoke up, asserting that Ingram hasn’t communicated clearly enough with City Council members about current and past projects and loan applications.

“Moving forward, I would rather just get someone else to (apply for upcoming loan application), because right now, I’m devastated. I don’t want you to touch it,” the mayor said. 

“Don’t worry. I don’t wanna touch it,” Ingram said. “We will be glad to walk away and let y’all have it.”

Evans then made a motion to “terminate Mr. Tim Ingram & Associates for the CBDG grant, and after that we’ll no longer need your services.” The vote was 4-2 along racial lines,, with council members Tony Powell, Barbara Towle, Harold Whipple and Evans voting in favor of the motion, while Pam Beck and Cliff Worthy cast “nay” votes.

Immediately after the vote, Ingram said “ya’ll have a good evening” before picking up his box of documents and leaving the council chambers. The Times Journal Post attempted to catch up with Ingram on his way out, but he did not wish to be interviewed and walked directly to his truck.

This is the second time this summer that the City Council has fired a contractor. Back in July, the council voted to oust then-City Attorney Jim Green. The vote was 4-2 and also along racial lines.

“For the money that we’re paying, we’re not getting…all we need from the city attorney. That’s all I’m saying,” Evans said at the time. The vote followed a lively conversation about whether or not Evans should’ve recused himself from voting on several prior occasions. At issue is a city credit card that Evans applied for in July 2022, one that read “RODNEY EVANS, CITY OF GORDON.” This ultimately led to disputes, confusion and an outside investigation.