The retirement of a city official after more than a quartercentury was among many issues taken up Tuesday by the MonticelloBoard of Aldermen.

City Clerk Ruth Spicer announced her resignation, effective Nov.1, after more than 27 years. Spicer’s announcement came as nosurprise to city elected officials because she had been planningher retirement for the past several months.

A public reception for Spicer will be held from 2 until 4 p.m.Oct. 30 at City Hall.

In her letter of resignation, Spicer said she was proud to haveserved the city and to see it grow. She commended the current boardfor its efforts and said she was certain Monticello would continueto progress under its leadership.

Monticello Mayor David Nichols said he would miss Spicer in theoffice and praised her “passion” for the town.

In other matters, the board fired Police Officer Bill Thompsonfollowing a brief executive session that included Monticello PoliceChief David Stanley. No reason was given for the termination.

The board also granted a second five-year tax exemption to AtlasManufacturing.

In bringing the matter before the board, Nichols said ownerLarry Crowell “has done everything he said he was going to do. Infact, he financed an expansion.”

The expansion itself was eligible for a 10-year exemption,Nichols said, but Crowell did not ask for that.

Local governments are allowed under law to provide up to 10years of tax exemption to encourage industrial growth and promotetheir location to prospective industries.

Industrial development also played in a role in a discussion ofthe boulevard project. Nichols said the development area alongHighway 84 bypass and the projected boulevard route is currentlyserved by a 6-inch water line. That line is adequate for the newMississippi Army National Guard armory but would be inadequate asthe area is developed.

The board approved his request to seek additional funding toupgrade the existing line to 10- or 12-inch pipes to prepare thearea for future development. If additional funding is not found,the board will add the cost of the upgrade to a future bond issueto finance the boulevard.