JAMES MADISON QUOTE - 1822

"A popular government without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives."

SCOTTSBORO WEATHER - SUN & MOON RISE

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Jackson County Commission Meeting - Jackson County Park Manager Issue

Jackson County Courthouse south side. (photo by G. Morgan) There are plans to open the south entrance on or about August 1, 2012.
Jackson County Park back in the news.


Agenda of the Jackson County Commission, click on image for an expanded view. Link to the Jackson County Commission's Thursday work session where the commission issues were discussed. http://arklite.blogspot.com/2012/07/jackson-county-commission-work-session_20.html



Agenda Item K, Park Manager or Department Head?
The open meeting discussion concerning item K was stopped when the issue concerning hiring the current Park Manager, Carl Barnes, entered into a dispute as to how to hire Barnes - Park Manager vs Department Head. After the meeting I asked of the Commission Chair Pro Tem, Jack Allen, if item K warranted an Executive Session. I was told it did warrant an executive session as the good name and character of an individual was going to be discussed. The County Attorney certified the Executive Session was necessary, stating the good name and character exception.

At last Thursday's Work Session Commissioner Jack Smith suggested the Park Manager be hired as a Department Head and paid a salary of $40,000. There was no mention in the work session as to Barnes housing benefit or the fact Barnes was receiving a questionable "overtime payment" not in his contract. (Last Thursday's work session notes http://arklite.blogspot.com/2012/07/jackson-county-commission-work-session_20.html )
Jackson County Park Manager Carl Barnes. (photo by G.Morgan)

Executive Session Deceit?
Information has been been received that the reason for the Executive Session was to discuss the contract violation involving an "unauthorized overtime payment" to the Park Manager authorized solely by the County Commission Chairperson. According to reliable sources at the County Commission, the contracted-salaried park manager has been paid the "unauthorized overtime payment" for an extended period of time. Reports indicate the contract authorizes a salary for the Park Manager of $28,500. As a result of the inappropriate overtime payment the manager is currently receiving approximately $38,000 per annum, near $10,000 more than the contract allows. The Park Manager also receives a house to live in at the park as it is a requirement the manager reside at the park. A $500 per month housing cost estimate is worth an estimated $6000 per annum in compensation. There is no record of an authorized increase in the Park Manager's contract involving overtime payments since the Park Manager position is a salaried position.

A salaried employee hired under the terms of the Park Manager's contract is not authorized to received overtime payments.

If citizens will remember an overpayment situation was alleged to exist by the Commission Chair and County Administrator involving the Probate Judge. The excess salary payment was collected from the Probate Judge after an extensive investigation. Now a similar situation exists created by the current commission chair involving the Jackson County Park Manager.


Was the Executive Session's "good name and character" justification an excuse utilized to justify secrecy relating to public fund misuse in this case?

Citizens at the Jackson County Park have questioned whether the manager actually lives at the park as required in the park managers contract.

The Jackson County Chairperson, Sadie Bias, was not present during yesterdays meeting. The Park Manager left when the County Commission went into an Executive Session and did not return.

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