By Tammy Sue Struble
Charles Proctor took his seat on the Zephyrhills City Council this week, replacing incumbent Manny Funes.
At a special council meeting on Monday, April 18, City Clerk Linda Boan, administered the oath of office to newly elected Proctor, along with incumbents Kenneth Compton and Lance Smith, who ran unopposed for their seats.
Only 376 registered city voters cast their choice in the Funes-Proctor race on April 12.
Proctor received 214 votes to Funes’ 162 votes.
Also at the Monday meeting, the council elected Jodi Wilkeson as president while Compton earned another term as vice president.
Proctor arrived early for the meeting dressed neatly and greeting everyone with a smile and handshake. The owner/operator of a car detailing business and coin buying and selling trade, Charlie’s Auto Detail and Charlie’s Coins, was ready to get started in his new council position.
“I have my own ideas; but, I know we need to work together,” Proctor described. “We need to get with the city manager and mayor and get their input. We also need input from all department heads,” he explained of the impending budget crisis faced by the City of Zephyrhills.
With a shortfall of around a million dollars going into next year, Proctor was concerned.
“We will be looking at trying to balance the budget. It’s really important we work with a balanced budget. I have ideas.”
