Audit reveals need for multiple changes in Manderson

Councilman Troy Chambers was the mayor pro-tem at the Manderson Town Council meeting on Feb. 8. Council members Julie Williams, Judy Bury and Tim Patrick also attended. Mayor Rod Patrick had an excused absence, but joined the meeting near the end. 

Councilman Tim Patrick told the council that the recent audit suggested many changes.  

One was bonding. Anyone on the signature card for the town must be bonded. Williams added that the auditors were very helpful. “Letting us know things that need to be changed ... procedural things for better tracking ... some have (already) been put in place.” 

Clerk of Court Janet Reasoner noted that the audit revealed that the money that comes in from citations needs to be put in an account separate from the town account. Deferral payments, too. As the court clerk, she is the one who should track the payments as well. 

Later in the meeting Mayor Patrick asked, “Did the auditors also say we need to start enforcing anything we’ve got on the books?” 

Bury indicated yes. She added, “We have a lot that we didn’t know, that others have not known. We have to start doing a whole lot of taking care of things that haven’t been done. We are going to be the bad guys, but we’ve got to. We learned a lot.”

MAINTENANCE 

Patrick gave the maintenance report. He and Randy Brown are currently doing the town maintenance. They will start advertising for the position in March.  

He reported on a major water line leak.  Patrick said he was thankful for all those who pitched in to get it fixed. They found out in the process that the valve that is supposed to turn the entire town’s water supply off only turns off a portion of the town. 

He suggested that in the spring the town dig it up and move it. There were additional shut off values that weren’t working. He suggests borrowing a piece of equipment from another town to vacuum the gravel and dirt. 

According to Patrick, the entire shop has now been cleaned. All the maintenance on vehicles and equipment should be done by next week.   

CHICKENS 

Councilman Patrick said he and Bury hand delivered copies of the chicken ordinances to those who have chickens in town. The council needs to decide when the town starts enforcing them. Chambers said the biggest question that needs to be answered is who is going to enforce. Bury said she believes who enforces it is in the ordinance. Chambers said this needs to be researched. 

OTHER BUSIENESS

• Resident Sharon Sanford approached the council about moving her two horses to Manderson. There is a place near her home that could be fenced in. The council tabled the matter so they could contemplate the matter. 

• Dog tags are due March 31. The price will go up April 1. 

• Chief BJ Kidgell discussed with the council new equipment for the police department. The equipment would allow the officers to do E-citations. He made a case about the equipment saving time for both the officers and the court clerk. It would cut down on errors as well.  It would cost about $20,000. The council tabled approving the request until the budget is done in May to see if there will be funds available.