Alexander Council approves 2015 budget, City should adopt subdivision rules, & meets new police chief

In a unanimous vote, the Alexander City Council approved the budget for fiscal year 2015 amidst some confusion. Two budgets had been presented to council members; one by Mayor Paul Mitchell and one by Alderwoman Andrea Bearden.

Mitchell thought he was using a copy of the 2014 budget and relabeling it for 2015 as a temporary measure to meet the mandatory January 31 deadline the state requires for municipalities and counties to establish a budget. The fiscal year runs from January 1 to December 31.

Bearden told council members a budget committee had been adjusting the 2014 budget throughout the year. That's the budget she gave the council during the emergency meeting on January 6.

"The one I handed out on the sixth (January) is the same exact budget (for 2014) minus the health employee insurance and the raises that have not been handed out," she said.

Bearden also explained the budget Mitchell had was based on a report found in the accounting program that had revenue for the police department $50,000 more than it actually received. That error is corrected in her budget.

Another point made by Bearden was the State of Arkansas is expected to send cities and counties four-percent less in revenue for the general fund and street fund. While attending the annual summer seminar conducted by the Arkansas Municipal League she learned the state is expecting a drop in sales and fuel tax revenue. Arkansas shares its sales tax and fuel tax with cities and counties.

The budget approved by all eight of the aldermen, at their regular meeting held January 26, projects a total revenue for 2015 of $946,129.16. Mitchell reminded the council the budget can be amended throughout the year.

In other business;

City needs to adopt subdivision rules

The council heard a report from Bob McKeon on the Meadow Edge Subdivision. As a member of the Saline County Water Works Board, McKeon has been in discussions with the developers in preparation for providing the subdivision with water and sewer services.

Since the city has yet to establish a new planning commission McKeon told council members the developers will design and construct the subdivision based on the requirements established in the Saline County Subdivision Rules and Regulations. He said the document covers everything and recommended the city adopt the county's subdivision requirements as its own.

This would normally be handled by the planning commission but a new commission is still in the process of being established. A planning commission ordinance was approved near the end of 2014 but commission members have yet to be appointed.

McKeon said the streets will be turned over to the city one year after completion of each subdivision section. He expects the streets won't need maintenance for about ten years.

The subdivision is being built on a former cattle farm along Highway 111, which was recently sold by its owners Steve and Pam Scroggins. The approximate 200-acre farm is divided by the highway with the largest portion on the west side. The initial plan is to build 200 homes on the largest portion first, with another 100 homes to possibly be added later. The development plan also includes keeping most of the wooded area, the pond and providing a walking trail.

Free coupons no longer free

McKeon also represents Alexander on the Saline County Solid Waste District Board (SCSWD). In his report about recent developments he said the SCSWD has a program which provides each Saline County resident two coupons per year to be used at the landfill. The landfill operator, Republic Services, is now charging the district sales tax for the coupons.

McKeon said the district will, "Provide coupons for each residential household and the cost is $2.50 a coupon, that's to cover tax."

Each resident is limited to two coupons per calendar year and the coupons must be used during that year. Each coupon will be registered to the person who picks up the coupon and that same person must present the coupon at the landfill when delivering their load. An ID must be provided when picking up the coupons and when using them at the landfill.

Starting in 2016 you will, "have to prove you have household trash pick-up," McKeon added.

Coupons may be obtained at the SCSWD office, 114 West Sevier Street, in Benton. The landfill is located at 18511 West Sardis Road in Bauxite.

McKeon also reported the black recycling boxes have been removed due to cost and misuse. Saline County residents can still take recyclable items to the landfill for free. When unloading your vehicle the various items will have to be placed in the proper containers provided at the landfill.

Meeting the new police chief

Alexander aldermen were introduced to the new Police Chief, John Fenton. Fenton took-over as chief January 15 replacing former Police Chief Derrick Jackson. Jackson was appointed chief in November by former Mayor Michelle Hobbs after serving nearly a year as interim chief.

In his first report to the council Fenton said he is amending the policy and procedures manual. It will be given to both the city attorney and council members for review and changes will be made if necessary. He expects to present the final version for approval at the next meeting.

Mayor Mitchell added that he doesn't believe the current manual was ever presented to a council. As best he can tell it was written by a previous chief and adopted without council approval.

One question raised was whether Fenton is full-time or part-time. He said he's part-time for now but that is only a difference of one hour. He also added remaining the police chief is contingent on whether everyone is satisfied with his performance.

Organization of City Council approved

Another annual task was performed by the aldermen with the approval of the, "Organization of City Council 2015" manual. Required under state law the manual establishes not only how public meetings will be conducted but also includes how, "The Mayor, City Council, and Committees, Sub-Committees, boards, commissions, and any appointed official or employee," will perform their duties.

Alderwoman Bearden presented the 2015 version to the council at the January 6, emergency meeting allowing aldermen time to review the document. At the January 26, regular meeting she pointed out the only change made from the 2014 version is to allow anyone who asks to be on the agenda to speak to the council before discussing the minutes. She said this will keep them from having to wait.

The next regular meeting of the Alexander City Council will be held Monday, February 23, 6 pm in city hall. Regular meetings are normally held the third Monday of the month but due to the holiday the meeting was moved to the following Monday. The public is invited to attend.

Alexander City Council to hold first Regular Meeting of 2015

After holding one Emergency Meeting and one Special Meeting this month the Alexander City Council will have its first Regular meeting of 2015 on Monday, January 26. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 pm and will be held in City Hall. The public is invited to attend.

On the agenda for this meeting is the annual approval of the Organization of City Council manual, the 2015 Budget and a discussion on how to number ordinances and resolutions.

Also on the agenda is Bob McKeon. He is expected to discuss the Landfill Coupons that use to be provided for free by the Saline County Solid Waste District and the Meadow Edge Subdivision planned to be built at the former cattle farm along Highway 111.

Attempt to veto Alexander mayor's choice for police chief fails

Three members of the Alexander City Council called a Special Meeting in an attempt to veto Mayor Paul Mitchell's choice for police chief. During his first week as mayor Mitchell informed Police Chief Derrick Jackson he would no longer be employed by the city starting January 15 as chief of police.

Jackson has been replaced by former Police Chief of Pangburn, Arkansas John Fenton. He was sworn-in to office by Mitchell late on the evening of January 14 and began his duties as the new police chief the next day.

The attempted veto was started by Alderman Andy Mullins. Joining him were aldermen Lonny Chapman and Andrea Bearden. Under state law three aldermen can decide to call a special meeting without approval from the mayor. The special meeting was held Monday evening January 12, at City Hall.

Mullins and Chapman were silent during the discussion. Bearden, however, did express her concerns that someone with a family was losing his job and he wasn't promised a position as an officer.

Mitchell told council members he didn't promise Jackson a job as an officer, leaving that decision, and the hiring of future officers, to Chief Fenton.  He did, however, ask Jackson if he would have any problems serving under Fenton after being replaced. According to Mitchell Jackson said he wouldn't have a problem with that.

The move to reverse Mitchell's choice for police chief failed in a four to four vote. State law requires a two-thirds vote to reverse a mayor's decision to hire or fire a department head. In this case six votes were needed.

Bearden made the motion to rescind the appointment and Mullins seconded. Voting for the motion were Bearden, Mullins, Chapman, and Alderman Louis E. Hobbs. Voting against the motion were aldermen Jeffery S. Watson, Stephanie Beck, Dan Church, and Melissa Ratliff.

Prior to the discussion and vote on the appointment Bearden asked about the pay rate for police chief. Mitchell said the chief will be paid $15 per hour. According to Bearden the budget only allows $13 per hour. That may be what's in the budget but it's not what Jackson was being paid.

In 2013 former Police Chief Horace Walters submitted his resignation effective November 20. Jackson, who was assistant chief at the time, was appointed interim police chief by then Mayor Michelle Hobbs. Nearly one year later Hobbs appointed Jackson as chief.

According to Alexander financial statements Jackson was paid $1,500.00 every two weeks during November and December, 2014 and part of January 2015. Records indicate as interim chief he was working 85 hours every two weeks at $12.50 per hour, not including overtime. If he maintained the 85 hours after being appointed chief, the $1,500.00 is equal to approximately $17.65 per hour.

Fenton grew up in the area formerly known as Woodland Hills, which is now part of the City of Alexander. His mother still lives in Alexander.

Check signing resolution revisited

Also on the agenda for the Special Meeting was the resolution approved during an Emergency Meeting held Tuesday evening January 6. The purpose of the resolution was to establish who will be signing checks for the city. The motion passed by the council listed Mayor Paul Mitchell, aldermen Andrea Bearden and Jeffery Watson and, in an emergency, Bookkeeper Jo An Churchill.

The resolution also authorizes the city treasurer to sign checks. However, because that position is vacant it only mentions the position of "Treasurer" without naming an individual.

The resolution was typed by Alderwoman Bearden who left five blank lines so the names of those who would be allowed to sign checks can be handwritten on those lines. The night of the January 6 meeting Recorder Sharon Bankhead wrote the names on four of the five lines, handed the resolution to Mitchell, then everyone left.

According to Churchill the next day Mitchell tossed the resolution on her desk and that's when she noticed Bankhead wrote Alderman Andy Mullins's name on one of the lines instead of hers. Rather than trying to change it by hand she retyped the resolution to make that correction along with two other errors; one spelling and one grammar.

Because the resolution was retyped and the format was different than the original, Bearden asked if the council needed to vote on the resolution again. City Attorney Kevin Lemley said you shouldn't retype anything once it's been voted on but because the correction was made to match the motion he didn't see any reason to take a second vote.

The next regular meeting of the Alexander City Council will be held Monday, January 26. The meeting will be held at 6 pm in City Hall. The public is invited to attend.

Alexander council moves January, February meeting dates; decides who will sign checks

In a quick "Emergency Meeting" the Alexander City Council voted to change the dates of the next two "Regular" council meetings. Regular meetings are normally held the third Monday of the month. The dates were changed because the regular dates for January and February are Federal and State holidays; Martin Luther King Day and Presidents Day respectively.

The next two meetings will be held January 26 and February 23. The time and location remains the same; 6 pm at City Hall. As always, the public is invited to attend.

At the "Emergency" meeting held Tuesday evening January 6, council members also decided who will be signing checks for the city. Approved for this task were Mayor Paul Mitchell, aldermen Andrea Bearden and Jeffery Watson and, in an emergency, newly hired bookkeeper JoAn Churchill.

Churchill was hired by Mitchell after the resignation of former bookkeeper Ruby Whittaker. Whittaker submitted her resignation in late 2014 and made it effective upon the hiring of a new bookkeeper. Former Mayor Michelle Hobbs failed to find a replacement.

Churchill held the position in 2011 and 2012. She was appointed bookkeeper at $9 per hour working a 40 hour week; averaging $1,560 per month.

She was elected treasurer in the November 2012 election. The outgoing council in December declared the treasurer's position part-time and set a monthly salary of $500. Seven of the eight aldermen on that council either lost re-election or didn't run. Nothing was done about the bookkeeper position.

In a 4 to 3 vote the new council (in February, 2013) approved hiring PayChex to handle payroll accounting and the printing of payroll checks. But, at the time, there was no decision as to who will perform the other accounting duties.

On Monday, March 18, 2013 she resigned. In her resignation to Mayor Michelle Hobbs she stated, "Because of the situation in the City of Alexander, the extreme ‘brokenness’ of the governing body, because there is no ordinance describing my duties and finally no apparent common ground to pass such an instrument, I hereby tender my resignation effective 2:00 PM, 3/18/2013."

Hobbs was appointed mayor in December 2012 at the same meeting the outgoing council declared the treasurer's position part-time. In mid-November Mitchell resigned after losing a recall election, prompting the appointment of Hobbs.

Attending the Emergency Meeting were former Mayor Michelle Hobbs, members of her family and former Alderman Juanita Wilson.

Last two aldermen sworn-in

Before Tuesday the last two aldermen elected to the Alexander City Council in November were sworn-in by Mayor Paul Mitchell. Melissa Ratliff took the oath on Saturday, January 3 and Dan Church was sworn-in on Monday, January 5. All eight of the council members attended the Tuesday meeting.

City of Alexander mayor schedules "Emergency" meeting for tonight (Tuesday) with short agenda

Mayor Paul Mitchell has scheduled a "Emergency" meeting of the Alexander City Council for Tuesday, January 6, 6 pm. at city hall. The public is invited to attend.

The agenda will be limited to two items; deciding who will be allowed to sign city checks and scheduling the regular meetings for January and February. Normally the monthly meetings are held the third Monday of the month. But, since those two days in January and February are Federal Holidays councils in the past have moved those two meetings to another day. This is also the first opportunity for Mitchell and the aldermen to meet since most of them were sworn-in last week.

Five from Alexander take oath New Year's Day

[Updates at end of article.]

There's a New Year's Day tradition in Arkansas. Every two years anyone who was elected the previous November shows up at their local county courthouse to take the oath of office.

Judge Gary Arnold (Left) administers
oath of office to Paul Mitchell.

And, that's what was happening at the Saline County Courthouse Thursday. Five of the nine newly elected City of Alexander residents took the oath of office. Paul Mitchell was sworn-in as mayor followed by Stephanie Beck, Andy Mullins, Andrea Bearden, and Lonny Chapman who took the oath for alderman. The oaths were administered by Judge Gary Arnold.

Absent were Louis E. Hobbs, Jeffery S. Watson, Dan Church, and Melissa Ratliff. Under Arkansas law they have ten days to be sworn-in.

Mayor Mitchell says Church is the only one who has made arrangements with him to take the oath at a later time.

UPDATE:

1/2/15-Louis E. Hobbs took the oath of office January 2.

1/3/15-According to a Facebook post Jeffery S. Watson was sworn-in by Saline County Clerk Doug Curtis January 1, shortly after 10:30 am.