Bland aldermen had a nine minute discussion on a non-agenda item June 10 about how many times a week the clerk goes to the bank in Belle, but do not want to pay out the monthly $24-$28 in mileage for the trips.

The board expressed displeasure at both the amount City Clerk Rachel Anderson visits the bank in Belle — eight to 12 times a month — and the amount she doesn’t go. 

“While I am supposed to make a deposit every day, I do good to get one in every other day,” Anderson explained. “Any time you collect over $100 you are supposed to make a deposit. That would be daily, but I don’t have that time.”

Alderman Sherry Spradling said that brings her to her next question.

“We need some rules on that because I have had two complaints that ‘I have my statement back, but my water bill isn’t on there.’”

Anderson explained with the bank being out of town, it makes it harder to get there.

“You go once a week to the bank?” Spradling asked. Anderson said she goes more than once a week. “On your way home?” Spradling asked.

Anderson confirmed that she visits the bank on her way home and does the night drop.

“Then can’t we just give you the mileage from the bank to your home?” Spradling asked.

“Why would you pay me to go home?” Anderson countered.

“Because you are going home anyway,” Spradling said.

Alderman Josh Jarvis interrupted and said it would be from the place of business to where the business was completed. Spradling said when former clerk Jane Dolan did the work, she didn’t charge for going to the bank. Anderson said the bank was still in town, so no; and Anderson didn’t charge when the bank was in town. However Dolan, who lived in Owensville, would charge the city for her milage when she dropped off information at the city’s accountant who was located in Owensville. That is no different from Anderson, who lives in Belle, charging mileage to drop off the bank deposit.

“I don’t ever charge if I am staying in town,” Anderson said. “But I go three or four times a week, and that is 30 to 40 miles on my vehicle.”

Alderman Tommy Thompson said he has asked before, and the city does not have to pay out the rate per mileage that they are currently paying, at 58 cents a mile — the federal rate.

“This mileage has went up every year, but the board has not approved the raise the state has given at 58 cents a mile,” Thompson said.

Anderson said the previous board adopted the state’s policy, and Thompson argued that the city does not have to pay it. She said every Jan. 1, the board would need to check the rates to determine if they wanted to change them. Anderson told the board that they would need to change the policy.

“Well which board adopted this? It was a past board that voted on it?” Thompson asked.

Anderson confirmed it was.

“Well how long ago was that?” Spradling persisted. Anderson said she didn’t know. “Was Ron — I mean Mr. Shafferkoetter, on the board at that time?”

Jarvis asked Spradling for clarification about what she wanted.

“Do you think she should only go once a week to the bank?” he asked. “Or more often?”

“Well, no,” Spradling said. “I don’t think we need to go three or four times.”

Mayor Lee Medlock said she can store money in the safe. He asked which statute requires her to go to the bank so often.

“It’s state and it is also part of our proper accounting procedure,” Anderson said. “This was an issue under interim mayor Rodney Lexa too, because he was wanting me to do deposits only on Fridays.”

Spradling said it needs to be more than Fridays, but currently it’s too much and she is trying to find ways to cut down on some of the stuff. Medlock said suggested to cut the trips down once or twice a week. The board asked Anderson to consider dropping the deposit off on her way home and on Friday, she could go to the bank late and get the bag back.

“You are going to pay me more in overtime than you are in mileage,” Anderson said.

“What are you saying,” Spradling said.

“I keep the office open until four and then have to go to the bank and stay late to get the deposit bag back.” Anderson said.

Spradling asked what time Anderson closed the office, and she said 4 p.m. “Then you go to the bank,” Spradling said.

“Then I’m on overtime,” Anderson countered. “It takes 20 to 30 minutes to wait in line at the bank to get the bag back.”

Medlock questioned if the city is paying her overtime to go to the bank and drop of the deposit. She said no, she is only throwing it in the drop box. But if the board expects her to wait while the bank processes the bag, she is working over time. She also can’t drop the deposit off at night and pick it up before she goes to work in the morning, because the bank isn’t open yet.

Thompson interrupted the discussion.

“One, it is about time to go home,” Thompson said. “Two, if she makes three round-trips to Belle, we are paying her, what? $16 in mileage?”

Anderson confirmed she receives $12 to $14 on her paycheck. Thompson said he understands it is that much, but they would be paying her more in overtime if she stays at the bank.

“I have to follow the guidelines,” Anderson said. “I am following it as close as I can now, but not like I should.”

Spradling relented and said they would keep it the same.