Executive Director of Parks Scott Miskiel and Director of the Cemetery Commission L.B. Wilson attended city council’s Monday meeting to speak on the 2020 legislative audit that raised issues with finances.
Miskiel explained that after he was appointed to his position in 2020 it became clear Parks’ books were not well maintained. He said that he had much assistance from previous commissioners Kevin Ruehle and Scott Bardin, who were on the finance committee to revise the full chart of accounts, saying they had to go as far back as 2014 to start that process. He also said they found it “unfathomable” that bank statements in the past had not been reconciled by someone other than the preparer and that policy was in place to make that no longer the case.
In explaining other issues found by the auditors, Miskiel said the issue of cash receipts and disbursements journals not being properly maintained had been resolved as state auditors require, a separate journal to track cash receipts. The final issue was that the receipt book Parks had been using did not have sequentially numbered receipts, not complying with state statute. He said each issue was an easy fix.
Wilson had similar explanations, saying each Cemetery Commission discrepancy had been resolved. He went over a list of changes the cemetery commission had made including multiple signatures for bank statement reconciliations, separating the roles of secretary and treasurer, and eliminating credit card use by staff and commissioners. He apologized that he did not know more specifics as the treasurer was unable to attend the meeting.
Bidding open for dam repair
Mayor Butch Berry told council it was time to repair Black Bass Dam, that the city had received a grant from FEMA for $300,000 and another $300,000 would be used from received Covid funds. William Hathaway of Hathaway Engineering provided engineering drawings.
The specs follow the dam’s original stairstep design, acting as a second spillway when the lake overfills and dissipating the energy of water before it hits the bottom of the dam. Stone that is fallen at the bottom of the dam will be used as fill for the bottom layer of the repairs and the dam will have a vertical limestone facing, concrete being used for horizontal surfaces.
Council agreed unanimously to open the project for bids.
Other Items
- 2325 redistricting Eureka Springs using 2020 census data approved on all readings with an emergency clause to make the change immediate. The changes to district lines were not major and no incumbent members of council are affected by the change.
- Council accepted a $35,000 sealed bid for property on N. Main St.
- Susan Harman was approved to the Planning Commission
- Bids were also open for the construction of a chemical storage building for Public Works. The ability of Public Works to purchase chemicals in bulk will reduce costs by an estimated $100,000 a year, and construction is expected to be paid off in three years.