Two police cars,
ordered last year by the City of Alexander, have arrived at the
dealership. One has been outfitted with all the bells and whistles
required of a modern police vehicle and is ready to be picked up. The
plan was to pay cash, as the city has done with the purchase of other
vehicles in the past two years. Unfortunately revenue from a one-cent
city sales tax, a portion of which goes to the police department, has
dropped.
At the January 28
council meeting Mayor Paul Mitchell presented a proposal to council
members that would allow him to negotiate a bank loan to pay for the
vehicles now instead of making the dealer wait for sales tax revenues
to return to normal. Police Chief Robert Burnett also emphasized the
department’s need and urgency to get those vehicles to the
officers.
Interim Treasurer
JoAn Churchill explained to council members the bank needs a copy of
the meeting minutes showing the council gave the mayor permission to
negotiate the loan and approved, “A minimum (dollar) amount that
you can pay on the principal.” She added if the city had to miss a
payment it would still have to pay that month’s interest.
Councilman Jeff
Watson asked about the interest rate. Mitchell explained he wouldn’t
know that until he’s given permission to negotiate the loan.
Mitchell explained
his goal was to make the monthly payments until sales tax revenue
returns to normal and then pay off the loan. He expects to be able to
repay the loan this year.
After much haggling,
and some confusion over setting a “minimum” payment, the council
agreed to approve a five-year loan for $60,000. Five years is the
maximum length of time a municipality can legally take on a loan. The
$60,000 amount was chosen because it works out to a $1,000 monthly
payment, plus interest, and it will be enough to pay for the cars,
additional insurance and other miscellaneous expenses.
In other actions:
The council
approved amending the 2017 budget to include what’s called,
“Accounting Share.” Interim Treasurer JoAn Churchill explained
how the various departments (fire, police, streets, parks, and
Administration of Justice) have each been paying the accounting
department $300 per month to reimburse it for the cost of maintaining
those department’s finances. It was started several years ago to
help the general fund with the cost of paying for a bookkeeper and
other accounting expenses.
She said, “It’s
been going on for years,” but the meeting minutes showing when the
council at the time gave permission can’t be located. State
auditors have begun the annual audit for 2017 and want proof of
approval. She added approval was included in the 2018 and 2019
budgets.
The council
approved the, “Organization of City Council,” for 2019. The
document lays out how meetings will be conducted.
Mayor
Mitchell announced the resignation of the city’s court clerk. He
said he’s already received one resume and is expecting another. In
a Facebook post Churchill has provided information on the position.
“MUST BE EXPERIENCED - Interested parties should bring your resume
to City Hall located at 15605 Alexander Road, or mail to P O Box 610
Alexander, AR 72002. Pay scale from $25,480.00 to $29,640.00, Based
on experience.
Mayor
Mitchell announced the city has been approved to receive a $250,000
state grant for street improvements. (See article here.) He said the
next step is for the council to approve a resolution accepting the
grant. When the city received the same grant in 2015 he said the bids
went out in September and paving began in November.
Council
members approved adding the north end of the former Human Development
Center to the city park system. The property is now owned by the
city. Under a lease agreement negotiated by the Arkansas Department
of Human Services, Pathfinders, Inc. has use of and must maintain the
area south of the old hospital building. Mitchell said behind the
hospital is an area with a walking trail. He wants to make it
available to the public but it needs to be repaired before it can be
used safely.
Fire Chief
Mark Ridgeway announced another fire training session will be held in
Alexander in March. He said it will be similar to the one held in the
city last year but with more fire departments participating. As in
2018 the old hospital building at the former Human Development Center
will be used as a training site.
Councilman
Harold Timmerman announced the Alexander American Legion Post AR 28
will have a pancake breakfast this Saturday morning. The fund raiser
for the post will be at the former Alexander Town Hall, 15412 Main
Street (behind Hess) starting at 7 AM and, “Ending when we either
run out of food or run out of people,” Timmerman said. Prices are
$4 for children from ages six to twelve, $8 per adult or $15 per
couple.
The next
monthly meeting of the Alexander City Council will be held Monday,
February 25, 6 PM, in the courtroom in city hall. The public is
encouraged to attend.
