Selma might have to start looking for a new General Services director after Monday night. That issue, though, will be a matter for the City Council to decide.

The Selma City Council declined to reappoint General Services Director Marcus Hopkins by a 7 to 0 vote Monday night after an hour-long executive session. Councilman B.L. Tucker and Councilwoman Bennie Ruth Crenshaw weren’t present for the vote.

Hopkins will remain director of General Services until Dec. 1.

Hopkins was placed on administrative leave without pay in mid-September due to an alleged financial transaction involving a number of General Services employees and an individual resident. He was re-appointed to his position by a 7 to 2 vote of the council on Oct. 13. Council members Rita Sims Franklin and Glenn Sexton opposed.

On Oct. 15 Hopkins was placed on administrative leave with pay pending an internal investigation.

According to City Attorney Jimmy Nunn, Monday’s executive session occurred to discuss an investigation of the General Services Department by the Selma Police Department. Lt. Susan Smith, detective Sgt. Jimmy Martin and Assistant Chief Robert Jacobs were present for the executive session.

A resolution stating the council’s decision reads, &uot;That Marcus Hopkins, General Services director of the City of Selma, is hereby not re-appointed to the position of General Services director for the month of December 2003 and each month thereafter.&uot;

Nunn added that he didn’t know if any criminal charges would be forthcoming.

When asked if he was pleased with the council’s decision, Mayor James Perkins Jr. replied, &uot;Nothing about this situation pleases me. All city employees and city officials must understand that we cannot, we must not, allow public resources to be used for personal gain. That’s what this entire investigation is about. If it’s happening, it must stop now.&uot;

Selma’s code enforcement officer, Henry Hicks, is currently serving as the city’s General Services director. Perkins said he thought Hicks had done an excellent job as director under difficult circumstances.

The council has the responsibility of appointing department heads.