Alto council wants to scrutinize budget before hiring employees
Annie Walker elected mayor pro-tem
BY LELAND ACKER

In a special meeting May 22, the new Alto City Council made moves toward organization and debated the hiring of a new employee to the city's utilities department.

Councilmen Bob Pearman and Michael James Sanders were sworn in, as was Mayor Carey Palmer.

"I hope to work well with the council and bring the city to the 21st century," Mayor Palmer said.

"This is all new to me, but I'll do the best I can," Councilman Sanders said.

"I'm a life-long resident of Alto. My dad was a 35-year veteran of the council. I'd like for us to work as a team and achieve a lot of good things here," Councilman Pearman said.

The council voted 4-0 to re-appoint R. E. Christiansen as the city's municipal judge. Councilwoman Annie Walker was elected mayor pro-tem by a 3-0 vote. Mrs. Walker was nominated by Councilman Pearman. Councilman Monty Collins voted for Councilwoman Walker even though he had nominated Earl Clark, who was not present, to the post.

Mayor Palmer informed the council they needed to begin holding budget workshops.

"We need to do more serious work this year than they put together last year," he said. The council decided to hold a budget workshop at 6 p.m., Monday, June 18 at city hall.

The council voted to require the use of purchase orders for the city's departments so that the money can be tracked in the budget.

Mayor Palmer then discussed the duties of the mayor, which include supervising city employees and department heads should report to him.

Utilities Director Charlie Luse spoke to Mayor Palmer's discussion.

"It is my understanding that when the council votes, not one single council member or mayor can change whatever decision is made," Mr. Luse said. "If you have a problem with someone in my department, you go to the department head first. You can't go on the job site to one of our crew members and (give orders)."

Councilman Collins replied, "There have been times I have had an idea."

Mr. Luse said, "That's okay. We like it when you give us feedback. It's not like you were saying, 'quit digging this ditch and go dig that one.'"

The meeting then turned to the discussion of a vacancy in the utilities department. Mr. Luse said when he was hired, the department became a fiveperson department. There has been a vacancy in his department for a couple of months, and he needs to be able to fill the position so his department can handle the increased work load through the summer months, he said.

Mayor Palmer objected to the hiring of a new utilities employee, saying he had concerns over the state of Alto's finances.

"The figures on Ashley (Judd's) projected budget are $1 million low. Are we in the hole? Are we in dire straits? Hopefully not. We're looking at a million dollar deficit. I do not suggest we hire an extra person," Mayor Palmer said.

Councilwoman Walker asked Mr. Luse how much of a strain this would put on his department, to which he replied they could work harder.

"This person would free our guys up to fix documented gas leaks," Mr. Luse said.

Mr. Luse said he took issue with the low budget figures, saying that the income from gas is likely under-represented at $386,583.

"Contract service gas purchased is showing a purchase amount of $320,300. There is no way those two figures should be that close to each other," he said. "Book keeping needs to be taken care of. When you hurt the city first…"

"I am not hurting the city," Mayor Palmer said.

"Yes sir, you are," Mr. Luse replied. "We will get fined for these gas things we have to do. We have to take care of these gas leaks before the Railroad Commission (inspects us) in "We have to take care of these gas leaks before the Railroad Commission (inspects us) in July."

-Charlie Luse, utility director

July."

Mayor Palmer replied, "You've known about these gas leaks since October. Most members of this council can remember when only two people did your job."

"In October, it was cold. People needed their gas on for heat. We had a water leak on State Highway 21, there were other things to get done. I am not a gas guy. We are 50 percent under budget," Mr. Luse replied.

Councilman Pearman asked Mr. Luse if there would be much impact if the council took 30 days to get up to speed on the financial facts.

"I would be more prudent if I knew the facts," Councilman Pearman said.

"You can take as much time as needed," Mr. Luse said. "I don't think we'll get fined. We can blame the council. Many times if you show them that you haven't been given proper funding, they'll say 'okay.' I really want to get on this infiltration. We need smoke testing. I can get by without a new employee. It just makes my guys work harder."

Councilman Collins said, "With four in the utilities department, you cannot keep up. It takes five to catch up. If we go back to four, how do we catch up?"

Mr. Luse noted since he joined the city, the utilities department has undertaken additional responsibilities, including animal control, street repair, building inspection and code enforcement.

Councilman Pearman made a motion to table the hiring of a new utilities employee until the council can get more information. Councilman Sanders seconded the motion and it carried by a 4-0 vote.

Absent from the meeting was Councilman Earl Clark.

The council's next regular meeting is at 6 p.m. Monday, June 11, at city hall. The council will have a budget workshop at 6 p.m. Monday, June 18, at city hall.