During the past month Alexander City Attorney Chris Madison has been reviewing financial documents in an effort to determine if three council members and the mayor were underpaid in 2023. He was "directed" by council members at the May 20 council meeting to review financial documents and report on his findings at the June 17 council meeting.
At the June meeting Madison said he looked at payments to council members going back to 2018. What he found was an inconsistency in when monthly payments are received.
"[I]n 2024 some of those (council members) received payments at the first of January, which looks like it is the 12th payment (from December) that should have been due in the 2023 (Fiscal year)," Madison said. "I did (notice) however that (Council Member) Ms. (Angela) Griffin did not receive the early payment in January so she received 11 payments in 2023 did not receive the extra payment beginning of 2024 like some of these others did."
Council Member Harold Timmerman said his payments have always been one month behind. Since the council's two-year term begins on January 1, after a November General Election, the first payment for a newly elected council member isn't received until February.
"When you're [sic] first come on to the city council your first year you only get $1,100.00 because you get paid the following month to the previous month," Timmerman said. "So you don't get paid for January until February, February until March and when you get to December you don't get a December pay until," the next year.
"Okay well I've seen some that got paid at the beginning of January some that got paid at the end of January," Madison said. "And actually if you'll read the very last paragraph of my letter what I'm asking for is that we hold this for another month. Let me finish doing and figure out what I do recognize is that there are some discrepancies."
Madison explained, "[W]hat brought this about was legislative audit, while auditing the 2023 books, noted that several council members were underpaid in the 2023," calendar year.
According to the proposed resolution Mayor Crystal Herrmann was paid $37,456.04 in 2023 instead of $42,160.00; a difference of $4,703.96. Council members Tony Staton, Angela Griffin and Gina Thomas-Littlejohn are listed as being paid $1,100.00 in 2023 instead of the annual $1,200.00; a difference of $100.00. Council members are paid $100.00 per month no matter how many meetings are held.
"One of the things I am going to propose to you to consider for your consideration is that as an elected official you're entitled to your pay per month," Madison said. "And rather than waiting to the end of the month and having the issue of it carrying over into the next fiscal year, It's potentially we just pay it the first of the month for that month. That'll also be the decision for you to decide."
Being paid ahead of the monthly council meeting started a discussion concerning whether council members should be paid before performing their monthly duty. Timmerman said being paid ahead of time is "predicated" on the assumption council members will attend the meeting. Council Member Joy Gray noted that Council Member Tony Staton hasn't attended a meeting for several months and is still being paid.
Council members voted to table the resolution until the July meeting.
Madison needs more time on two other agenda items
Madison was to write two ordinances. One concerning the proposed animal control regulations introduced at the May council meeting. The second ordinance will convert the city treasurer position from being elected by voters to appointed by the city council. Both ordinances remain tabled until the July meeting.
Council members did give Mayor Herrmann permission to advertise a Request For Qualifications to determine the choices they will have to fill the vacant position. The treasurer position has been vacant since City Treasurer JoAn Churchill resigned in December, 2023.
Amending Zoning Regulations sent to Planning Commission
The addition to the definition of "Recreational Vehicle" is to make clear that RVs can't be used as permanent housing in residential areas of the city. Removing duplexes as a "Permitted Use" from the R-2 Zone designation will also require grandfathering two parcels by changing their zoning designation to Single-Family/Duplex Residential District (R-1.SFD).
Now, the planning commission is being asked to decide how to negotiate these changes using the ordinance process. Planning Commission Chairman Michael Huck told council members it can be done with one long ordinance or breaking it up into two or three ordinances.
The next meeting of the Alexander Planning Commission is Tuesday, July 9, 6:30pm in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). The meeting is open to the public.
No comments:
Post a Comment