SOUTHAVEN, MS (abc24.com) - It's a new year, but they're still dealing with last year's mess at Southaven City Hall.
The city is still waiting on the outcome of civil and criminal investigations into how Mayor Greg Davis spent $170,000 in tax payer money.
Aldermen plan to start the first board meeting of 2012 with an apology.
They're apologizing to all Southaven residents who wanted to speak out about the Davis investigation and were ignored at the last meeting.
"They should have listened to them," says resident Lenora Lawson.
On December 20th, Mayor Davis and aldermen skipped over time set aside for public comment, even though plenty of Southaven residents were in attendance and wanted to voice their opinions.
"If the public wants to put their opinion in they should be able to do so," says Dusty Knight.
The board's also looking into adding more checks and balances over the mayor's office in 2012.
That includes giving Davis a city car.
He used one when he first took office, but has since started driving his personal car and being reimbursed for mileage.
Part of the investigation into the mayor includes questionable reimbursements. The board is considering giving Davis a city car to keep better records of that mileage.
For voters, it could be too little too late.
"You were aware of what you were doing before you stopped," says Najja Proby. "He was doing it and knew it was incorrect. To leave $1,000 tips? Come on. You should step down. Do the right thing and step down."
"I don't know when the election is, but it's going to be tough down here," says Knight.
"I know he has done a lot for Southaven and a lot of people speak highly of him, but as far as everything that's going on, I guess we'll wait and see," says Lawson.
Neither the mayor nor Alderman at Large Greg Guy will be attending the January 3rd meeting.
The mayor is on vacation. Guy recused himself because of his ties to a separate business decision the city is making at the meeting.
