June 16, 2021 - The Timpson City Council moved for the City Secretary to take on the duties of Timpson Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD) duties during their meeting Tuesday, June 15, 2021, regarding donations to the fire department.
Many members of the fire department were present for the meeting and Tuffy Green, Timpson Volunteer Fire Chief, had mainly one question for Mayor Debra Smith and the council.
Chief Green asked, "How did this get brought up to an agenda without anybody notifying the chief, knowing this was going to be put on the city council?"
He stated if the issue had to do with deposits, some had been made late; however, he explained that is due to the TVFD Secretary, his wife, being ill. Chief Green said he, in response, returned the responsibility to Pete Andrews, the fire department Treasurer.
"He's going to be taking care of all checks, everything will be deposited into our accounts," said Chief Green.
Mayor Smith said she had spoken to Cary Bovey, City Attorney, and the outside auditor, Frank Campos.
"This is not a reflection of any wrongdoing, or anything, there's been no accusations or anything saying that we've, you know, something's been mishandled. This is simply an audit note that checks were not being deposited in the same month they were being received," said Mayor Smith. "Any irregularity handling of money will get brought by the auditor, as he stood up and said the other day that's something that they audit for is irregularities and things like that."
Mayor Smith said the outside auditors aren't criminal auditors and she's not saying there's anything criminal that's been done, and she doesn't want anyone to think the city representatives think anything wrong has been done with fire department funds.
Smith then gave a response to Chief Green's initial question about why the fire department wasn't notified of the proposed change being put before the council.
"I assumed that there was something delaying this, I did not know your wife was ill until Kenny [Walker] told me she had not been at a couple of meetings, and then I think somebody else, Misty [Burgess] or Paula [Mullins] said that they thought she had been taken to the hospital. So I pretty much assumed something was going on that was delaying it that made sense, but at the same time we have to make sure that everything's done so that the city when we get audited, we get a clean bill of our audits.
"So when Misty started looking at the reconciliations, she noticed that there were deposits from, like a February check wouldn't get deposited until April, or something like that, and the auditor said that's not supposed to happen."
Mayor Smith further stated, after meeting with Campos, it was added to the agenda to have the checks brought or mailed to the city office. She explained reports would still be provided to the fire department for their meetings.
Smith explained the city secretary is paid to make deposits, write checks and work on the city books already because that's her job.
"I would just say, as volunteers, take that off of your plate and not worry about it and let her do it, and she'll send you an email," said Mayor Smith.
Mayor Smith did ask Chief Green if he had checks from Timpson Rural Water Department from April and May, he said they should be deposited and she said they are not. He said they may be in the post office and he did not have a key.
According to Smith, checks from the Timpson Rural Water Supply for April and May were mailed to the fire department; however, they have not been deposited.
Council member Tiffany Collins asked if the checks had been cashed, and Mayor Smith said she didn't want to raise any "red flags."
"Because I did not think there was anything wrong, I did not want to cause a red flag and I did not ask Mr. Askins, and I don't think Misty asked Mr. Askins if they had been cashed . All we wanted to know was, had he mailed them," said Mayor Smith.
Chief Green clarified no one could cash the checks because they're made out to the Timpson Volunteer Fire Department.
A motion carried to allow Misty Burgess, Debra Smith, and Paula Mullins to handle both income and expense transactions for the Timpson Volunteer Fire Department.
Earlier in the meeting Marilyn Corder updated the council on plans for Frontier Days this year, including there won't be a carnival this year since the company that usually has provided the service sold out.
"We're going to have Frontier Day one day this time, and it's going to be on the 3rd of July. We will have gospel singing the 2nd of July at the First Baptist Church, Friday evening," said Corder. "We have no carnival anymore, the guy sold out, so we are looking for a carnival to replace him," said Corder.
Corder explained there will be some activities for children that will have no charge.
A band is planned to perform in the evening and the annual cake auction is also scheduled.
A motion carried to approve a donation of a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe, formerly of the Timpson Police Department, to the Shelby County Sheriff's Department and to sell a 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe, also formerly of the Timpson police Department, to the Shelby County Sheriff's Department for $37,082.17.
"Last month, or the month before we talked about doing something with the vehicles that had been utilized by the police department in the past and it was suggested that we donate the older one to the sheriff's department, which I believe is going to go to the constable, but basically they get donated to the county and distributed to their department as they see fit," said Mayor Smith. "I talked to Judge [Allison] Harbison and she said that yes the constable's office does need one."
Mayor Smith said she spoke with Judge Harbison about the 2019 model Tahoe and she noted the agenda for the upcoming commissioners' court meeting has the county paying the $37,082.17, which is $15,000 over what the city of Timpson owes for the vehicle.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1.Consent Agenda: A. Consider approval of the Minutes from the Regular Meeting held on May 18, 2021 B. Consider approval of Financial Statement for the month of May 2021 C. Consider approval of Accounts Payable for the month of May 2021 D. Bids on delinquent property taxes from Shelby County Cad and Linebarger. 2. Donate the 2013 Tahoe (VIN# 1GNLC2E00DR214715) to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and to sell the 2019 Tahoe (VIN # 1GNLCDEC6KR330097) to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department for the amount $37,082.17 ($15,000 to General budget and $22,082.17 to Austin bank to pay off to pay off the loan). Both vehicles are being sold as is, and all police markings and decals will be removed at Shelby County’s expense. 3. Rate renewal rate for the TML insurance premium for city employees. The current rate per month/per employee is $622.82 and the new rate, effective October 1, will be $568.88 This is a decrease of $23.96 (8.66%) per employee. 4. Allow Misty Burgess, Debra Smith, and Paula Mullins to handle both income and expense transactions for the Timpson Volunteer Fire Department. 5. Adjourn.
