Alto adopts plan to track city employees' time
BY LELAND ACKER

Building a foundation for future organization was the theme at the Alto City Council meeting held Nov. 13 at Alto City Hall. The council approved a plan to track the work hours of utilities department personnel for budgetary research and evaluated ways to expand the Alto Police Department.

"We have no idea of our financial situation," Mayor Carey Palmer said, explaining why the council declined to give raises to Alto's police officers and hire an additional officer. "I won't ask the council to put the city in debt."

Mayor Palmer said the hiring of an additional officer and pay raises for the current police officers are something the city is working toward.

"When we get our audit back, it will be re-discussed," Mayor Palmer said.

The figures for the audit will be sent to the auditor in December.

Police coverage has been an issue for the City of Alto since an elderly Alto resident was assaulted in her home in the early morning hours of Sept. 9. Subsequently, several Alto citizens met with the council on Sept. 10 to discuss ways to improve overnight police protection and neighborhood watch programs.

"Chief Charles Barron rearranged his office schedule," Mayor Palmer said explaining how Alto has increased its overnight police protection. "Sheriff (James) Campbell said he instructed his deputies to patrol Alto when they are in this area."

The council approved a measure that requires the utilities department to log where employees spend their hours on the job.

City Administrator Debbie Dannelly said the measure, known as the "Weekly Work Plan," is to track what areas of the utilities department are requiring the most manpower and financial resources. She said data collected will be used to build a more precise budget in the coming year.

In other business, the council tabled action on long-term plans for the old city hall building, voted for Judge R.E. Christiansen for the Cherokee County Appraisal District board, declined to change Brandon Tyer's title from foreman in the utilities department to assistant supervisor and clarified municipal court hours by posting them on the door. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the council will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10 at Alto City Hall.