The Monticello City Council met in regular session Monday evening. By a 4-1 vote the council struck down an ordinance that would have ended the 3% restaurant tax, with Alan Vaughn the lone no vote. The council agreed to proceed with the natural gas franchise following a presentation by State Representative, Ken Upchurch. The approximately 20-million-dollar project would benefit Wayne County and Monticello along with a portion of Pulaski and Clinton Counties. The ABC report showed over$450,000 in alcohol sales for the month of June and over $22,000 in fees collected. The restaurant tax netted just over $54,000 in June. Also, during the meeting, the council approved the hire of Sydney Denney Parmley as the new city clerk treasurer at a salary of around $62,000 annually.