A Florida town of only 477 residents is celebrating on Friday after the state's lawmakers decided not to strip the town of its city status, CNN reported.
The town of Hampton, whose mayor is currently in jail, has been fighting to keep its status ever since an audit released last month found the city was vice-ridden and deep in corruption.
"Why is this even a city?" said state Representative Charles Van Zant, one of two lawmakers behind stripping Hampton of its status, CNN reported.
The audit found 31 violations of local, state and federal regulations. The city was also accused of nepotism and personal use of city-owned property. Comedians even joked that the city was "too Florida, even for Florida" as news of the notorious city spread, CNN reported.
For example, the police constantly ticketed travelers on the town's stretch of highway U.S. 301, with city officials allegedly pocketing the revenue. On top of that, former Hampton Mayor Barry Layne Moor is currently facing charges of selling oxycodone shortly after his election, CNN reported.
The audit prompted state legislators in February to consider taking away Hampton's city charter, meaning the city would not be able to govern itself.
But the city's residents managed to change the state's mind. Several of the city's officials, including the mayor, were replaced. The police force was nixed, and the section of U.S. 301 is no longer a part of the city. Hampton is expected to hold elections for a brand new City Council in September.
In a month's time, Hampton, which is 89-years-old with an average income of under $30,000, convinced the state to let it stay a city.
"What you've seen here in the past month is the rebirth of your town," Van Zant said during a meeting with residents on Friday, CNN reported.
"I want to encourage everybody who has never served on the City Council to run for office...We want some new blood. We want to see a new genesis in Hampton. Make this thing work for you," Van Zant said.
