BELLE — A Belle alderman on June 13 questioned the mayor on his reasons for purchasing plane tickets on the city’s credit card for himself and a city police officer to travel to Chicago and pick up a new squad car. The board previously discussed a city representative driving to pick up the vehicle.

“When we went to get the car, why did we make the decision to fly instead of drive to get it?” Struemph asked.

Mayor Daryl White Jr. said it was more cost-effective to fly.

“It was about $400 cheaper,” White said. “If we pay 65 cents a mile, it is about 800 miles round trip. The plane tickets were $223 with taxes and everything a piece. But if you take the 65 cents by 800 miles it was $559.37. The fuel and the time, it was a 45 minute flight versus a six hour drive.”

City Treasurer Charro Reasor said that it also saved on Morgan’s salary.

“How many hours did we pay Morgan?” Struemph asked.

Reasor said Morgan hasn’t turned in his time yet.

Morgan isn’t the only employee who’s pay has been questioned while on assignment. During the May 9 meeting, the board approved a member of the Belle Police Department to attend an Active Shooter Training. Marshal Jerry Coborn attended the training and received 100 percent of his street commissioner pay at $25 an hour during the event in Kansas event.

White approved Morgan’s attendance on the trip.

“It was an asset that we take him with him (SIC) because we didn’t know anything about cages and when we got there the vehicle that we purchased was missing parts of the cages and while we was there we was able to get that we wouldn’t have known about,” White said.

White said it was $446 total to fly added that the dealership picked them up at the airport for free.

“We figured we was saving a few hundred bucks and a lot of time,” White said. “Anywhere we can save $200 a day we are crazy not to save $200 a day.”

Reasor said the tickets were $195 plus taxes and fees apiece.

“I don’t think none of us were aware and then we hear this (plane tickets) and I’m like ‘what?’ thinking going to Florida right now is $800,” Struemph said.

White said when they looked the first time the tickets were around $95, but there was a 19-hour layover.

White said his consideration was that it would save time/labor in paying Morgan, and mileage.

“I drove to the airport, I didn’t charge mileage or nothing on my stuff or my time, but I missed a day’s work myself, I mean, we have to save where we can save,” White said before calling on Clay Ridenhour, new public works director.

Neither Struemph nor the three other aldermen commented further to say they were not informed in advance that the mayor and officer would be flying instead of driving, nor did they ask to be informed in the future before a purchase is made.

According to the city of Belle’s Purchase and Bidding Policies Ord. No. 423,2-12-2008 (B), “The mayor or city administrator shall have the authority to make purchases and contract services up to and not exceed five hundred dollars.”

The ordinance does not state what types of purchases or if the board needs to be informed of the purchase.

The city’s new patrol vehicle should be in operation by the time this story is printed. On June 13, Morgan said the car was being outfitted in Jefferson City.

“It is getting the light bar, siren and such in it,” Morgan said. “When we bought it, it just had the K9 kennel. The radio and antenna has to be installed. We are hoping to have it back (June 16).”