By John Fredericks / Staff

It might be freezing outside, but it's toasty warm for employees inside Roswell city hall.

City council members shot down an attempt by newly re-elected Roswell Mayor Jere Wood to follow through on an important campaign promise: cut operating expenses amidst falling revenues.

Wood floated the idea of a simple hiring freeze to abate any rising costs until he gets a handle on the revenue shortfall that is sure to befall the city. The mayor said he put the council action on the agenda because he failed to get specific direction from city council members after two committee meetings.

Wood said he moved for action immediately to stem costs in preparation for an impending budget calamity when new revenue figures roll in at the end of this month. This was consistent with a campaign pledge he made- to secure the endorsement of fiscal council fiscal conservatives Lori Henry and Kent Igleheart-for his December 1 run-off victory over David Tolleson.

Score one for Wood on paper

However, a majority of the city council, led by Becky Wynn, wanted to wait until the inevitable revenue catastrophe is "official." Wynn said that she was concerned that holding off on hiring could affect "city services." Wynn also complained that the council was attempting to micromanage the department heads.

But Councilman Kent Igleheart, the lone fiscal conservative on the city council, disagreed. "The biggest cost for the city is staff payroll, and once you hire for a position it tends to become permanent," he said. "We should wait until we know what we are dealing with."

Lee Fleck, who ran unsuccessfully for Roswell council against six-term incumbent Jerry Orlans in 2009, made fiscal restraint a cornerstone of his long shot bid. Fleck said the refusal to consider the mayor's recommendation was "spearheaded by Councilwoman Becky Wynn" who he says spoke to increasing the headcount in her own Transportation Department "as if that would resolve the commuting public’s problems."

Fleck said Wynn is part of problem. "I have personally witnessed her routinely refuse to reduce expenditures during previous budget sessions" Fleck claimed. "This time around our elected officials had best stop agonizing over lower revenues and instead face reality and focus on long-term fiscal solutions. At least Igleheart voted for the latter Monday night," Fleck said.

Wood has committed to a full budget review in late January.