SCOTT CITY -- Scott City Councilman John Rogers put all the speculation to rest Monday night: He submitted his resignation to Mayor Jerry Cummins and accepted the public works director's position.
The move, which was made at the regular City Council meeting, comes after the finance committee set the new Public Works director's salary at the base pay of $27,000 a year, including benefits.
Whether Rogers' acceptance of the position is legal under the city's current codes remains to be seen. City ordinance 125.080 does not allow immediate family members to work under the same immediate supervisor. Rogers' sister, Carolyn Tinsley, is the secretary for the city administrator, who supervises all city employees.
The city maintains that the public works director is a department head and therefore is under the direct supervision of the mayor and city council.
The council is expected to vote at its next regular meeting on whether to do away with city ordinance 125.080.
The City Council indirectly discussed a way in which that problem could be resolved. Budget problems, namely a $128,301 deficit in the 1996-97 budget, prompted more than one board member to question the need for a city administrator.
John Saxton, Scott City's first city administrator, resigned earlier this year, leaving the job vacant.
Councilwoman Marsha Zimmerman said she had been approached by Scott City citizens who have questioned the need for the city to pay more than $30,000 to a city administrator. Councilwoman Brenda Moyers agreed, as did members of the public in attendance.
Moyers also stated that removing the city administrator would also omit the need for the administrator's secretary. This would cut two salaries from the estimated $794,792 that the city already has set aside to pay city employees this fiscal year. City expenses also would fall slightly with less money going into travel and supplies.
The City Council approved the budget as it stands, with $1,991,669 in revenue and $2,119,970 in expenses, but set a meeting for June 25 at 7 p.m. for a special council meeting to address budget cuts. The City Council unanimously expressed concern over running the city at a deficit for the second straight year. Last year's budget was $220,000 over revenue.
"I am very concerned over this committee having to run with a deficit," Councilman Fred Lange said. "I know we have to pass the budget but can't we look at it again and see where we can cut back down?"
If cuts are made to the budget it can be amended.
The city also dealt with problems in the Cloverdale subdivision. A section of sewer and streets in Cloverdale have been in need of repair for several months. The city contracted the job out and as of Monday work had not been initiated.
About a dozen Cloverdale residents voiced their complaints to the City Council, which resolved to take over the project today if the contractor did not begin work immediately. The city would then sue the contractor for the cost of the work.
Public Works Director Harold Uelsmann said he's "hoping and praying" the contractor will honor his agreement because if the city has to take over the project, "God help us all," he said. It would take at least another six months to complete the street repairs if the city had to step in now.
Cloverdale may also be getting relief from emergency concerns. Some residents of that subdivision have complained of not being able to hear the city's emergency siren. Cummins said if a strong wind is blowing from the west, the siren is not strong enough to carry out to Cloverdale.
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