Alexander Council tables decision on Paychex

Planning commission chairman says it's time to clean-up Alexander

The Alexander City Council has once again delayed a decision as-to whether the city will continue to use the check-writing company known as Paychex. The issue has been tabled because some of the services being provided to the city that were illegal will be legal beginning July 1 and the city's accounting software isn't fully operational.

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 this year stating some of the duties being performed by the company violate state law. The annual audit was for the 2013 calendar year.

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."

Essentially, it is illegal for Paychex to transfer funds from one account to another, even if it's to set aside payroll taxes for future use. Alderwoman Andrea Bearden says according to ADLA legislation was passed during the last session making that function legal beginning July 1.

Alderman Dan Church asked why the city should pay for Paychex and pay annual fees for use of the Center Point accounting software. He suggested doing everything "in-house."

City Treasurer Ken Miller says the software is still being updated and "fine-tuned" after years of misuse and neglect.

The "Center Point system is a work in progress," suggesting the council, "Keep things the way they are ... until we have everything under control."

In a voice-vote council members agreed to table the issue until later in the year. The only member absent was Alderman Jeff Watson.

Also absent was Mayor Paul Mitchell. Mitchell was required to attend a hearing in Mississippi earlier in the day and couldn't return in time for the meeting. The hearing involved the city's repossessed fire truck.

City Recorder Sharon Bankhead served as acting mayor during the council meeting. Alderwoman Andrea Bearden served as acting recorder.

Council hears report from new Planning Commission Chairman

Bob McKeon reported on the first meeting of the new City of Alexander Planning Commission. Commission members met for the first time May 12. McKeon said he was elected chairman by the other commission members. Alderwoman and commission member Andrea Bearden was elected vice-chairman and commission member Deanna Reeves was elected secretary.

Prior to holding its first meeting McKeon and Bearden attended a seminar held by the Arkansas Municipal League (AML). One of the topics of discussion at the seminar, according to McKeon, was the enforcement of ordinances pertaining to property cleanliness, junk yards and fire codes.

"It is the mayor's responsibility to see that all codes and ordinances are enforced," he said.

McKeon added the AML advises that planning commissions monitor and push for the enforcement of zoning ordinances.

"Any city of our size needs to diligently enforce all ordinances in order to improve new developments coming in," McKeon said. "If a new developer comes in and sees ordinances are not being enforced then they tend to create slum areas."

McKeon said Mayor Mitchell will be asked to attend the next planning commission meeting to report on actions being taken to enforce city ordinances. The next commission meeting is today, June 9, 5 PM in the city hall courtroom.

McKeon said he discussed with planning commission members a conversation he had with the owner of the Clayton Mobile Home dealership. McKeon said the owner contacted him and expressed an interest in returning to the dealer's former location in Alexander, next to the Citgo station at the I-30 interchange. In response to the dealer's questions about rebuilding in the city McKeon said the property is still zoned properly for the type of business so he told the dealer he only needs to apply for the proper permits, inspections and business license. He also asked the dealer to submit some type of proposal in writing and submit it to the city council.

McKeon also reported commission members decided that he should contact owners of the Forest Hills Cemetery, located along Highway 5, about their plans to annex into the city. Deanna Reeves will contact the state about the future of the Human Development Center along Highway 111.

In other business;

Three aldermen volunteered to get bids for needed repairs to the Community Center. Andy Mullins, Melissa Ratliff and Dan Church are to find two businesses each that will submit bids to repair or replace the heating and cooling systems and make repairs to the outside of the building.

The next regular meeting of the Alexander City Council will be held Monday, June 15, 6 pm in the courtroom at city hall. Regular meetings are held the third Monday of the month. The public is invited to attend.