Alexander will pay to repair Saline County Tornado Siren

(Edited: The first paragraph has been amended to reflect new information.)
Anyone who has lived here long enough knows South Alexander has a tornado siren at the Central Firehouse. The current siren has been at the firehouse on South Alexander Road for several years.

The siren hasn’t worked for many years and, according to Fire Chief Ryan McCormick, Saline County has no intention of having it repaired. Instead, the county wants everyone to install the emergency warning app Code Red on their smart phones.

McCormick said, “So sirens, the tornado sirens, ... it's becoming too expensive to continue to keep those sirens repaired or fix. ... (A)nd so they're going to (start using) ... Code Red, goes on your phone.”

McCormick also said residents can register their home phone numbers (landline) with the county. He said the Code Red system will be triggered to provide natural emergency alerts based on the portions of the county under threat.

Mayor Crystal Herrmann said one app won’t provide a warning for everyone. “We do have a lot of vulnerable citizens that don't know about the Code (Red) that, that live in this community. They're not connected socially and some of them don't even have a smartphone.”

One excuse used by Saline County for not needing the siren repaired is the fact that South Alexander is between two other sirens; one at Shannon Hills and the other at the Alcoa 40 Ball Park along Shobe Road. Unfortunately, those two sirens are more easily heard by residents who live higher up and not in the valley.

Council members approved spending up to $8,000.00 to repair the firehouse siren. The funding will come from the general fund.

Other news from the November 17 meeting:

Planning and Zoning

Ample Storage to annex one more lot

For the past several years, Ample Storage owners have been preparing for the widening of Arkansas Hwy. 5. They have been buying vacant lots, adjacent to the existing property, and having them annexed into Alexander. Those lots have already seen construction of new storage units to make up for the ones that will be lost to the widening project.

Mayor Crystal Herrmann announced plans, by Ample Storage, to expand its footprint one more time. The Mayor advised council members they will be asked to approve annexing the new addition, sometime in the next few months. With the elimination of the planning commission, the city council will be performing all of those duties.

Parks Department

Crooked Creek project complete; Culverts; Christmas lights

Mayor Herrmann announced the completion of the project to protect Crooked Creek from the ongoing erosion it has been known for. The creek runs along the northern edge of City Park and was eating its way towards the Gazebo.

“They're wrapping up, they have wrapped up the bank erosion project and they have also installed a new culvert that cuts across the parking lot that empties out into Crooked Creek,” she said. “We came well under our budget with the hazardous mitigation grant.”

“I'm working with Mark Brown and Ms. Lee Poole,” Herrmann said. “We're seeing if we can get our request approved to extend that grant funding to utilize the difference towards some more culverts that we need around the city. So fingers crossed, hopefully they'll let us use that the difference on the funding to replace some of the culverts around the city, including the firehouse culverts.”

Herrmann said the park’s Christmas decorations will be going up once the rain stops.

Police Department

Monthly report; Critical response

Police Chief Timothy Preator gave council members a review of the department’s actions for October.

“The PD responded to 165 calls for service,” Chief Preator began. “It took 44 reports out of those 165 calls.”

Preator continued, “Four Hundred Ninety-Four traffic stops in the city last month. Two Hundred Twenty-six of those were written citations and 268,” … were warnings.

There were nine drug arrests and 14 misdemeanor arrests.

Council Member Juanita Wilson attempted to get a question answered. She attempted to ask this question at the October meeting but Chief Preator was on vacation. Mayor Herrmann told her to call Preator after he returns but that obviously didn’t work out.

Wilson said, “I have some questions.”

“I know you would,” Preator responded.

“I have a problem with the way police are driving in our city,” Wilson said.

Wilson began to explain, “I've seen personally, (police cars) hit that railroad track (on Hwy.111 in front of city hall) out there and you can hear metal hit metal.”

While speaking Wilson was pointing towards the railroad tracks but Preator took it personally.

“Excuse me. Excuse me,” Preator said. “Don't point your finger at me.”

“Ms. Wilson,” Preator continued. “I'll explain something. Here, (in) just a few minutes, you're going to open up that packet. I mean, you're going to see that you have far greater issues that you need to worry about other than how my guys respond to emergency calls (Apparently referring to the 2023 Legislative Audit report found here). I have seen every person in the city council and (at) every community event support this community. The only thing I've ever seen you do is bitch and complain. And I've had enough of it.”

“Well, that's too bad,” Wilson said.

Preator responded, “Have a good day.”

Fire Department

Dirt moved to beef-up creek bank; Leveling firehouse next step

During the November meeting, Fire Chief Ryan McCormick reported Josh Penn Excavating of Benton had completed moving dirt from the two lots north of the firehouse to rebuild the creek bank that supports the firehouse. McCormick was given permission, at the October council meeting, to accept the low bid of $19,975.00 submitted by Josh Penn Excavating.

“I've had three construction workers, construction departments, come to check about the foundation,” McCormick said. “One has come already and said we've dropped over an inch and one part of the building and it's sloped down still. We're going to check if we can get three different bids and three different construction companies out there between now and the end of December, middle and middle part of December.”

McCormick also reported, “We did about 350 hours of training this past month and we'd have a couple folks involved with the specialized training with the USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) and also their officer development program.”

Code Enforcement/Animal Control

“Nuisance Properties;” Burn permits

Code Enforcement/Animal Control Officer Joshua Dodson says he has developed a list of 12 “Nuisance Properties.” This was also a heads-up to council members due to the requirement, under city ordinance, that the final ruling as to whether a property can be labeled a “Nuisance Properties” requires a vote of the council.

“I've got my list of nuisance properties finished up,” Dodson began. “I say there's 12 of them.”

Dodson said he won’t be notifying all of them at the same time to avoid a rush. The worst of thee worst come first.

“It's a lot to handle at once,” Dodson continued. “So (I’ll) prioritize the worst ones. Go from there.

Dodson described the properties as mostly abandoned and the homes damaged.

“A lot of them are abandoned. They (have) neglected holes in the roofs, opened windows, there's two doors. There's one I believe on Charles that half the house are (sic) gone. So … (they are) obviously public safety issues.”

Dodson also noted it’s leaf burning season. He is reminding everyone burning leaves requires a Burn Permit. Residential permits are $5.00. Commercial permits are higher depending on the type of burning.

Financial update

Monthly fund balances report

Treasurer Jennifer Hill provided council members with a report on the fund balances for the month of October.

“Your general fund. You're reconciled at $1,948,141.26,” she began. “Your police fund reconciled between $4,892.76. Your fire has reconciled at $319,262.69. Your park has reconciled at $262,200.69. Your streets reconciled at $286,650.50. Payroll was $60,482.75, and with the addition from fall fest, the event (fund) is up to $89.66. Your SUTs (city Sales Use Taxes) for the month, one and two were both $72,114.20 with the SUT three being $72,114.21. For a total for the month of September for $216,342.60 dollars.”

Mayor’s report

Christmas in the Park

Mayor Crystal Herrmann announced the upcoming event, Christmas in the Park.

“We have Christmas in the Park coming up,” Herrmann said. “It's the first Saturday in December. We'll have cookies and cocoa and the horse and buggy will be out. We'll have the train out for the kids and I'm hoping that everybody can come out and enjoy a decent time. Cross our fingers (for the) weather.”

Christmas in the Park will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, December 15, at 6:00 pm in the courtroom of the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). Meetings are open to the public.

Alexander council reviews 2023 Legislative Audit Report

The Alexander City Council received the annual Legislative Audit report for the calendar year 2023. The audit is conducted annually by the State. The audit for 2023 was performed in 2024.

As stated in the report, the purpose of the annual audit, “(I)s to assist local government officials by promoting sound financial management and accountability of government resources. The Legislative Auditor reports on the fiscal affairs of local governments, as well as compliance with relevant state laws and observance of good business practices to provide accountability for tax dollars expended to support government operations.”

The audit does not involve a financial reconciliation of the budget.

City officials listed in the report for 2023 is Mayor Crystal Herrmann, Recorder Sharon Bankhead, Treasurer JoAn Churchill, District Court Clerk Janet Guess, and Police Chief Robert Burnett. This was Herrmann’s first year as mayor.

The report states, “During our evaluation, noncompliance with state law and accepted accounting practices was noted in the offices of the Treasurer and District Court Clerk.”

Under District Court Clerk the report noted what seems to be an on-going issue. It states, “Balances remaining in the bank were not identified with receipts issued for cases not yet adjudicated and payments made on all unpaid individual time accounts, as required by Ark. Code Ann. § 16-10-209. A similar finding was noted in the previous three reports.”

It was the section concerning the Treasurer that had the most noncompliance findings. The list included:

• Prenumbered receipts were not issued for all funds received.

• Cash receipts journals were not properly posted and reconciled with bank deposits.

• Monthly bank reconciliations were prepared but were not accurate.

• A detailed fixed asset listing was not maintained to include additions, deletions, and a control total.

The audit also stated, “A similar finding was noted in the previous report.”

But, it was the issue of a credit card that garnered the most attention of council members.

In the 2023 Legislative Audit Report it states, “The City did not have adequate internal controls relating to the use of credit cards and other expenditures. Our examination of disbursements revealed the following:

• A Council member, who is not an employee of the City, obtained a city credit card in their name. According to the Council member, this card was given to the Police Chief for purchases. From May 2023, when the card was activated, to November 2023, when the card was closed, the City paid $8,018 for purchases made using the card. Of $5,521 in payments we examined, $5,057 did not have proper documentation to support a business purpose.

• Other disbursements examined, totaling $4,014, did not have adequate supporting documentation; therefore, the validity of these transactions could not be determined.”

The council member referenced in the report is Juanita Wilson. This was not news to those council members present in 2023, after it was discovered and dealt with during the September council meeting. At the time the two cards were relinquished and both Wilson’s and Treasurer JoAn Churchill’s names were removed from the accounts.

During the November 2025 council meeting Wilson said the credit card wasn’t for herself. It was for then-Police Chief Robert Burnett.

“It was actually a mistake that the bank made and it was given to Miss JoAn (Churchill) and she gave it to the police chief,” Wilson said. “So they can do their daily (Purchases)”.

According to Wilson, Burnett was telling her the Mayor wasn’t allowing him access to the city credit card for necessary purchases. Herrmann denied the allegation.

Wilson has always denied she ever used the card for herself.

As is their practice, the Arkansas Division of Legislative Audit has sent the audit report to the Arkansas Attorney General for review to determine if any prosecutions are warranted.

During the discussion of the report, Office Manager Jennifer Hill explained the Mayor had to provide the auditors a written plan to resolve each of the issues found during the audit. Hill said as the various problems were uncovered a plan would be developed in real time to be provided when the audit was completed.

Not wanting to wait for an investigation, during the Public Comment portion of the meeting two residents spoke wanting action now. Whether it be Wilson’s resignation or removal by the council.

Council Member Joy Gray explained that the council does not have the legal authority to remove a council member. Only a judge can do that.

“A judge has to find a person on the council guilty of malfeasance and then remove them,” Gray said. “So, just in case anybody's wondering, why don't you do anything, legally we got nothing up here.”

Gray said if a council member moves “out of the city” the council can act. She also explained because a council member’s term is two years, recall elections aren’t an option under state law.

Other news from the November 17 council meeting

Council saves approval of proposed 2026 budget for December

Council members were presented with the proposed 2026 budget. They agreed to use the next 30 days to review the budget.

Below is a summary of the 2025 Budget and the proposed 2026 Budget. Actual totals for 2025 should be available by February, 2026.

General Fund Budget

2025

Revenue - $1,154,261.00

Expense - $913,795.00

2026

Revenue - $1,447,401.00

Expense - $1,310,950.00

Parks Department Budget

2025

Revenue - $297,800.00

Expense - $292,000.00

2026

Revenue - $297,800.00

Expense - $292,000.00

Street Department Budget

2025

Revenue - $350,400.00

Expense - $323,200.00

2026

Revenue - $407,300.00

Expense - $405,100.00

Police Department Budget

2025

Revenue - $1,061,730.00

Expense - $1,050,972.00

2026

Revenue - $1,054,400.00

Expense - $1,052,600.00

Fire Department Budget

2025

Revenue - $1,171,400.00

Expense - $1,165,900.43

2026

Revenue - $1,207,650.00

Expense - $1,170,791.00

Payroll Fund Budget

2025

Revenue - $2,195,497.00

Expense - $2,195,497.00

2026

Revenue - $2,063,645.00

Expense - $1,955,645.00

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, December 15, at 6:00 pm in the courtroom of the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). Meetings are open to the public.

Former Alexander employee pleads guilty to “Theft of Property”

Melissa Anthony
Booking Photo

Former City of Alexander bookkeeper Melissa Ann Anthony (AKA Melissa Ratliff) has plead guilty to the charge of Theft of Property exceeding $25,000. Under Arkansas law, a Class B felony is punishable by 5 to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $15,000.

According to court documents the “Negotiated” plea deal was submitted to Judge Karen Whatley - 16^th Division, 6^th Circuit Court on November 6, 2025. The case is still listed as “Open” with the last entry date of November 7. The plea deal includes:

• Seven years probation;
• $1,000.00 fines and court costs;
• Restitution in the amount of $39,817.86 payable at (a) rate of $475 per month beginning December 9. 2025;
• 90 days jail credit to fines and court costs; and
• Probation fees waived until restitution paid in full.

At the November 17, 2025 council meeting, Mayor Crystal Herrmann provided council members an overview of the results and plea deal. She also explained the next steps in being compensated for the remaining funds not covered by the amount of the restitution.

“So we do have a guilty plea,” Herrmann said. “So I will be moving forward and working with (Arkansas Municipal League) risk management as far as compensation on some of the stolen funds.”

Time Line and Circumstances

The theft was only discovered after Anthony was fired by then-Mayor Paul Mitchell. Mitchell had scheduled a drug test for Anthony and another female employee to be taken Monday, October 10, 2022. When Anthony arrived at city hall she was told to wait in her car because she and the other employee would be taking a drug test that morning. Before the other employee could finish what she was doing, Anthony drove off and never returned. She was subsequently fired on Tuesday, October 11 for "Job Abandonment."

Anthony wore many hats at city hall. She was the bookkeeper, human resources director and office manager overseeing city hall staff and operations.

City Treasurer, JoAn Churchill, stepped-in and began going through the books to determine the condition of the city’s finances. Once Churchill realized there were problems with Anthony’s time and pay the state auditor, who was still working on the 2021 audit, was notified and asked to add this to the audit. The following statements are taken from the annual state Audit Report for 2021.

“During the period January 1, 2021 through August 25, 2022, the Bookkeeper received salary overpayments totaling $20,088 and undocumented mileage reimbursements totaling $641."

“In addition, review of payroll records for the Bookkeeper, who was responsible for preparing disbursements and maintaining payroll records, revealed the following:"

• "Wages received in 2021 ($74,913) exceeded budget ($40,040) by $34,873."

• "The Bookkeeper reported working an excessive number of hours on her timesheets."

• "1,602 overtime hours, including as much as 18 hours in a single day and as much as 181 hours during a two-week pay period."

• "945 weekend hours, including as much as 16 hours in a single weekend day and as much as 30 hours during a two-day weekend."

• "The Bookkeeper reported working hours while out of the office."

• "115 hours on eight weekdays while, according to time clock cards, the Bookkeeper was on sick leave."

• "29 hours for attending a three-day conference for which, according to conference officials, the Bookkeeper was not registered and there was no evidence she attended."

• "Hours reportedly worked while the Bookkeeper was traveling on three vacations, according to social media posts."

• "'Time In' and 'Time Out' reflected on timesheets did not always agree with stamped time clock cards."

• "Timesheets were not always signed by the Bookkeeper or approved by her supervisor."

• "As of August 20, 2022, the Bookkeeper had negative sick (-3) and vacation (-26) leave balances. In addition, 51 sick leave hours and 160 vacation leave hours used during the review period were not deducted from her leave balances."

How was this accomplished? It was later discovered Anthony had used Mitchell’s signature stamp without approval.

Anthony was on-the-run five months longer than the time it took to conduct the legal proceedings. About one year and nine months after Anthony was fired, she was arrested by the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office on a felony warrant Thursday, July 25, 2024. She plead not guilty the next day in Pulaski County District Court. The date of the theft was listed as October 7, 2022, four days before she was officially fired by Mayor Mitchell.

I am not a liar

After the November 17 council meeting adjourned, Mayor Herrmann approached this reporter with the giddy grin of a school girl. She asked if I was going to write an article about her not, “Being a liar.” She claimed during the 2022 election I called her a liar about Anthony embezzling city funds. A review of articles posted at the time only proved Mayor Herrmann has a case of Disjointed History Recall.

The discovery of Anthony’s embezzlement scheme couldn’t have come at a worse time. City elections were held one month after the discovery. With four candidates on the ballot, and no legal winner, a runoff election was held in December.

Prior to the runoff election between Herrmann and Mayor Mitchell, an Op-Ed was posted in The Alexandrian. The commentary was a fact-check of comments she had written on the social media site Nextdoor.

I can only assume this is her point of reference, despite not finding the word “Liar” anywhere in the Op-Ed. The section concerning the October Surprise of the firing and subsequent discovery of missing funds is posted below.

Portion of an Op-Ed entitled, “Opinions disguised as facts, with a side order of mud” originally posted November 27, 2022.

When the news leaked out about Anthony being fired, Herrmann started filing more FOIA requests. Based on the information she received Herrmann declared on Nextdoor Anthony had “Embezzled” around $90,000.00 and Mayor Mitchell “Allowed” it to happen.

Herrmann’s comment, “[I]f they would have performed a background check on her she would not have been hired to handle money,” implies Anthony had a criminal record. Where’s the proof? Does Herrmann know more than city officials about Anthony’s past?

A search for Melissa Ratliff on the website Arkansas Judiciary shows legal cases involving divorce related issues and a lawsuit with a heating and cooling company. No criminal cases were listed.

Where does she get “Liar” out of this?

The entire Op-Ed can be found here.