BAY MINETTE — The mayor’s contingency fund has become the latest source of political tension between current Mayor Sonny Dobbins and Mayor-elect Jamie Tillery.

The $20,000 discretionary fund appropriated to the mayor for distribute to charities and community organizations was decreased 50 percent beginning with the 2008-2009 budget.

The contingency funds reserved for the five council districts will remain at $8,000.

Dobbins said the mayor’s contingency fund was cut partially because of a need to cut funding for next year’s budget and partially because of the mayor-elect’s perceived attitude toward the current administration

“We are expecting a drop in income, and we had to cut the funds somewhere,” Dobbins said. “She [Tillery] threatened the council. If they’re going to cut somewhere, where do you think they are going to cut?

“She told us to be responsible with the money. We were going to cut all the contingency funds, but I trust those guys [councilmembers] with their money more than I trust her.”

Dobbins was referencing Tillery’s post-election statement of Aug. 26, in which Tillery called upon the outgoing mayor and council  to “withhold making new city or Utility Board appointments, forgo new city employee hirings, and to forebear from city firings, except for the most serious causes.”

In that same speech, Tillery urged city officials to withhold approval of any new projects and not commit the financial resources of the city in new ways before the new administration was sworn in.

Since her statement, Dobbins and the council have purchased a 22-acre arena, purchased property adjoining Halliday Park, made two board appointments and approved the appointment of the fire chief.

Phil Bryars, who has been serving as interim fire chief, will have to be reappointed by mayor-elect Tillery after she is sworn in. She has already blessed his appointment.

“The incoming mayor is getting Bay Minette in the best financial shape it has ever been in in its history,” Dobbins said. “She’s [Tillery] been out there spreading a bunch of lies. You heard the [audit] report. this city has gotten stronger every year that I’ve been mayor.”

Dobbins declined further comment.

Tillery said Dobbins comments were undeserving of a response.

The audit report is for the 2007 fiscal year. A 2008 audit has not been done at this time.