Members of the Alexander City Council will hear a report Monday night
from Mayor Paul Mitchell concerning the company Paychex. The report is expected
to include advice as to what the city needs to do to have Paychex come into
compliance with state law.
In 2013, when Michelle Hobbs was mayor, the City of Alexander hired
PayChex to handle its payroll. The Arkansas Division of Legislative Audit
(ADLA) issued a report in February stating some of the duties being performed
by the company violates state law. The annual audit was for the calendar year
2013.
The audit states, "The City’s agreement with a private company to
perform payroll services, including electronic drafting of a City bank account
for the payroll tax deposits, is in noncompliance with Ark. Code Ann. §
14-59-115."
Section (2) (B) of the law states, "The governing body of a
municipality may not assign duties relating to the receipting or disbursing of
funds to anyone other than an employee of the municipality."
The audit was discussed at the council's February 23 meeting. During
that discussion it was noted that Shannon Hills uses Paychex. Mitchell was
asked to get an explanation from ADLA explaining exactly how the services
Paychex is providing Shannon Hills differs from the services being provided to
Alexander.
The regular April meeting of the Alexander City Council will be held
Monday, April 20, 6 pm in city hall. Regular meetings are held the third Monday
of the month. The public is invited to attend.
Watching City Council Meetings these days is a study in opposites.
ReplyDeleteThat can be a healthy thing, but it can also be a destructive thing.
If you are sitting in the audience, the tables are properly situated.
You’ll find the proverbial ‘left’ on your left; the positive ‘right’ on your right.
My personal take on the arrangement is so ‘fit.’
It seems the slick talkers, mid-stream switching and undecided occupy that left table. The questioning, time consuming, unnecessary rhetoric abounds from them.
Having sat as an Alderman in a major city, (called simply ‘Council Members’) I know that conducting city business has nothing to do with the knit-picky arguing that goes on with this little panel within a panel. However it is educational – it isn’t difficult to decide who has the ability to address true city issues, moving the city forward and who is there for a grandiose grandstand.
Council is there for a purpose, it is NOT to grandstand (makes you wonder what is going on behind their council façade.) To the table on our left – we aren't impressed, we’re bored.