Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Rosston Council Debates Over Hiring Bookkeeping Service

Rosston's recorder/treasurer tendered her resignation Thursday, Nov. 6, during the regular monthly meeting of the Rosston City Council.

The letter of resignation, turned in by Cindy Taylor, stated she was not willing to devote the time needed to do the job the way it needs to be done and was spending more time on city business than with her family.

She suggested the council consider hiring a certified public accountant or an accounting firm to handle the city's books.

"I feel the proper records weren't maintained," she said.

Lewis Jackson, Rosston's mayor, said he had received a letter from the city's accountant, Carl Dalrymple, stating an audit is being sought on the water department's books.

This opened a lengthy discussion on how the books were kept and what should be done about them.

Debate ranged over getting a CPA or accounting firm to handle the city's bookkeeping requirements.

Taylor recommended hiring Chuck Matthews to look at the books.

Jackson, though, said the books need to be audited, with the CPA telling whoever the new recorder/treasurer is how to do it right. He told those on hand the city would need to talk with several accountants before making a final decision on one.

From there, the council had to take care of some old business concerning the move of city hall.

In a recent meeting, the council voted to move city hall to the community center and have it renovated.

But, at a public hearing in October, the city's residents said they wanted city hall to stay where it is.

Because of this, the council had to rescind its vote to move city hall and have it renovated to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

In other business, Jackson said Rosston is on the list for buying a generator for the water department, but couldn't get a price because the company doesn't know what size generator it will get in next.

Jackson also discussed the sale of the community center and the old dump with city attorney Glenn Vassar.

The community center has asbestos siding, which could pose problems in selling it.

Vassar is to talk with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to see if the city is liable for the asbestos or not.

The barrister asked Jackson if the city wanted an appraisal on the land in question for both items to be let for bid. However, Jackson pointed out an appraisal would cost the city more money and may not be worth the effort.

The bid will be worded to give the city the right to reject any or all bids turned in.

Whoever purchased the land where the dump was, however, will have to honor the agreement with the cable television provider as the cable lines run underground on the property.

From there, talk turned to water bills and rates. J.D. Luck, water superintendent, said arrangements have been made with most of those with overdue bills to get them paid. But, he said, three customers have been shut off.

Former councilman Rick Butler said all customers must be treated the same on how the overdue bills are handled or the city could be in for a lawsuit. He said there is a city ordinance on the issue and it must be followed to the letter.

Part of the problem, Luck said, is some of the bills have been paid, but the payments were not recorded on the computer. Because of this, they showed as not being paid and the customer was billed as being late.

Jackson said the city needs to have Luck trained on the computer so he can record the data on bills being paid.

Other business discussed included the need for having the city's water tank sand blasted and repainted on the inside.

The tank was recently inspected by members of the Arkansas Rural Water Association, who said this work needs to be done.

Jackson said he will look into getting a grant or the city may have to take out a loan to have the tank relined, but it won't be done this winter.

He also said the water rates are too low and need to be increased.

Councilman Randy Goodeau suggested the water rate increase become effective Jan. 1, 1998.

Jackson said the city needs annual water rate increases until it gets up to Farmer's Home Association regulations. He said Rosston's rates are the cheapest in the area, with surrounding communities charging a base amount of about $14 per month.

The issue of how much to raise the water rates will be discussed at the December council meeting.

December will be a busy month for the council, as bids for the two properties will be opened and the hiring of a new recorder/treasurer may be done, if any applicants are found.