Prior to Monday evening’s regular meeting, Eureka Springs City Council held a budget workshop where Mayor Butch Berry said even though tax revenue is not what had been expected, the city is above water because of the spending freeze imposed in the spring.
Alderman David Mitchell asked if there had been progress regarding uncompensated care by the Fire Department. He said there was “a lot of money we did not collect on.”
Berry said some of the debt was four or five years old and has been written off.
Mitchell responded the city needs a better collection agency. “Here we are now a long ways away, and nothing has happened.”
Finance Director Lonnie Clark said the process of finding billing and collection agencies is in process.
“It is revenue for the city,” Mitchell observed, “and I can’t say anything nice about what has happened, so I won’t say anything.”
Alderman Terry McClung asked about the status of the ESFD Ambulance Service contract with the Western Carroll County Ambulance District. Berry reported the contract would go out for bids, and at least two other services are interested. ESFD is looking into options for what to do if they lose the contract.
Berry mentioned that some cities, Berryville for one, put their city attorney on salary. Eureka Springs pays City Attorney Tim Weaver $150 per meeting plus for time he spends on ESPD and other city issues.
Alderman James DeVito mentioned there had been times when past councils saved money by not having the city attorney at meetings, but response around the table was the cost was worth it because of the problems council encountered without an attorney in attendance.
Alderman Kristi Kendrick noticed it was worth exploring alternative ways of paying the city attorney.
Clark said he asked all department heads for a “flat or less” 2017 budget, and has received all but two department budgets in preparation for the city’s 2017 budget. Berry advised council there would not be much change from this year’s budget.