Skidmore aldermen consider finance changes

SCREENSHOT
Skidmore Alderman Sandy Wright is shown during last week’s Skidmore Board of Aldermen meeting held online using Zoom. While at least three city employees were in one location, the board all joined from their homes where they’ve been sheltering in place.

SKIDMORE, Mo. — The Skidmore Board of Aldermen discussed nuisance properties and finance reporting last week while using the Zoom platform in an attempt to stay sheltered in place during the COVID-19 health crisis.

Board members joined from their homes, while Mayor Tracy Shewey, city employee Marvin Sumy and city clerk Meagan Morrow hosted the meeting from yet another location.

The city has been working to improve its financial reports for the last couple of months. Now that the city is using the QuickBooks program, it’s running into readability issues. Last month the board hired Donald Erickson, a QuickBooks accounting software specialist who works with other governmental bodies to set up financial software.

During that meeting, Erickson made several suggestions to reorganize the city’s finances and provide board members with clearer reports. Then the new coronavirus arrived in the U.S. and Morrow said being cautious, he’s not been to the office yet to help.

In the meantime, Shewey and Morrow have gone through the funds and subcategories and on April 9, made suggestions to the board that would combine funds.

No decision was made, as Shewey suggested it might be good to run it by a CPA to make sure the funds can be combined.

Nuisance properties

A sign that the health crisis has caused stress for all, board members had a tense moment discussing the city’s nuisance properties.

Shewey told the board, that the letters it approved at the last meeting had not yet been sent out because she has been limiting her time at City Hall and Morrow had specific questions regarding the letters.

Alderman Sandy Wright asked if the city has a standard letter that’s been sent out before.

Shewey explained that they do have the letters that have been previously sent in files, but that Morrow also has to go out and take photos of the nuisances.

Alderman Tim Slagle asked what instruction Morrow needed. Shewey said she just needed to know where to find the letters.

“There’s nothing new about these letters or the process in which we do this,” said Wright. “I’m just frustrated because we’re trying to get things done and then it doesn’t get done. … Why are we having meetings if we’re not doing what the council votes to have done? Why are we even doing this?”

Shewey then responded quickly and loudly offering to allow Wright to take over as mayor. Since municipal elections have been moved to June 2, board members and Shewey are still serving in their current positions. Wright is the only candidate listed on the ballot for the mayor’s seat.

“Well you know what Sandy, you can take it over if you want to now,” Shewey said. “I’m doing the best I can to help her and give Meagan (Morrow) the instructions. She’s got a lot of stuff that she needs to do and a lot of stuff includes the financial stuff and I think that takes a little bit of a priority. Yes, I live in this town, just like everybody else does and I want stuff straightened up too. God only knows. But we only have so much time in the day and this is where it’s been. I will try really hard this next month to make sure that Meagan gets those out.

“But if you don’t like it, I can resign right now. I’m tired of this crap. We’re doing the best that we can do, so just say the word.”

Wright said she just asks that the job gets done, that the board votes to be done.

Alderman Rana Killingsworth spoke ending a long pause in the conversation, saying that it sounds like letters will get sent out and that there are even more nuisances to add to the list.

“At the risk of ticking everybody off, why add more on?” asked Slagle. “Because we’re not getting anything done with the ones that we do list.”

Wright said it has to be fair and across the board, no two people can be singled out and that it still should be documented in the minutes of city meetings that the properties were noted to be out of compliance.

Shewey reminded them, that the city’s current ordinance doesn’t allow the city to fine people who are out of compliance. She explained that after seven days if the nuisance is not cleared by the landowner, the city is then able to abate it at its own cost.

Slagle said he believes it should be taken care of, even if the city has to do it.

Regarding nuisance properties, Shewey said later in the meeting that city resident Rick Stanton has been granted an extension to file a brief, in his appeal of a November summary judgment for the city and against him.

One of the arguments Stanton made in his case against the city was that he was being selectively prosecuted with regard to his properties.

Other news

• Sumy has flagged for DigRite to mark where new signposts can be placed. The city has worked for around two years to get new signs and posts placed throughout town. Only in December did the city receive new signs, some of which had to be replaced for corrected directions on them.
• The citywide garage sale has been postponed. The board is considering holding it the same weekend as the Punkin Show. Wright said that might be an issue for volunteers who want to hold their own garage sales. No rescheduled date was decided.
• Aldermen who receive pay every six months, will receive their checks this month, which would have been the end of some of their terms. However, since municipal elections were moved to June 2, they’ll also receive another check at the end of that time period.
• All plaques at the park have been replaced with stones, said Killingsworth. She explained the trees that need removed, will need tractors and loaders and she was unclear how to proceed. Board members also agreed that if the ball season is canceled, the city will not charge rent.
• At the cemetery, flagpole lighting has been purchased and Clinton L Allen is scheduled to do some stone repairs after May 31.
• The city received a $250 donation for use at the museum. The board discussed fencing options. No decisions were made.