— A request for a copy of Athens’ audit report irked City Council President Jimmy Gill at Monday’s meeting.

Jerry Hill, who is running for mayor in the Aug. 28 municipal elections, has requested a copy of the report at the last several meetings, and was again told Monday the report isn’t ready. Gill said the council would approve the audit at its Aug. 27 meeting.

“That’s what I was afraid of,” said Hill before asking what the council has to hide.

“Why do you think we have something to hide?” Gill asked Hill before asking each council member if they had anything to hide.

After councilwoman Dr. Milly Caudle asked Hill what he was looking for specifically, he said, “I’d like a copy of the audit report.” Caudle informed Hill she did not have a copy with her.

“(The audit) was finalized when it came from the auditor,” Hill said. “I don’t know what you’re doing to it. If you wait until after the election is over, that’s fine. That looks like the motive for (waiting to release the audit).”

The council will hold a special meeting at 4 p.m. today to discuss and consider the 2011 audit report. The meeting will be held in the mayor’s conference room at City Hall, located at 1806 Wilkinson St.

Elsewhere in the meeting, the council approved borrowing $2.45 million to install new transmission lines that will supply natural gas to Carpenter Technology Corporation’s new facility in southern Limestone County. The funds will also be used to help pay for a proposed compressed natural gas station in the city.

The interest rate on the borrowed funds is 2 percent.

In other CTC-related news, the council approved four resolutions related to the building of a new substation that will provide power to the plant. The construction cost is estimated at $2.1 million, though the council also approved more than $846,000 in related equipment costs.

Gary Scroggins, general manager of Athens Utilities, told the council that CTC would reimburse the city for all related expenses with the exception of $750,000.

The city also hired Dunnavant Engineering as civil engineer for the new library project, located in the former Kroger building on South Jefferson Street. Under the terms of agreement, the firm will be paid an hourly rate up to a cap of $35,000.

Councilmen Harold Wales and Jim Hickman both questioned why a civil engineer was necessary for the project. Public Works Superintendent James Rich said because changes will be made to the library’s parking lot to meet Americans With Disabilities Act requirements, a site plan and drainage study will be necessary, thereby requiring the services of a civil engineer.

Funds for the engineering service will come from a library expense account overseen by the city. Mayor Ronnie Marks said there is about $2.4 million in the account. The estimated cost of the library is $6 million.

“No money (for the library) is coming out of administrative funds in the city of Athens,” Marks said, adding that council members may have received phone calls from concerned citizens over how the project is being funded. “We have a breakdown of every penny for the library. We have an open door and the public (can see the books).”

In other business, the council:

• Continued public hearings to declare public nuisances at 600 First Street and 1301-1304 Henry Drive;

• Approved travel expenses for the Electric Department;

• Approved a resolution to accept streets and easements in phase one of Fieldstone Subdivision;

• Approved the purchase of two police car camera systems ($8,590), four window tint meters ($303.80) and five breathalyzer units ($1,975) for the police department. The funds for the equipment were previously approved capital expenditures;

• Approved the removal and replacement of a storm drain under Washington Street between Shaw and Thomas streets at a cost not to exceed $20,000. Funds for the project were approved at a meeting last month; and

• Agreed to purchase two pet carriers ($162), eight cat traps ($456) and three dog traps ($610) for animal control. Funds for the equipment will be drawn from the Whitt Trust for animal control.

The council will hold its next regularly scheduled meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 27.