Jonesboro Aldermen Table Financial Adviser Hire

The Town of Jonesboro’s Board of Aldermen voted 3-1 at yesterday’s Noon meeting to delay hiring the Town of Arcadia’s clerk to “provide assistance” with Jonesboro’s scrambled financial records.

The proposed $10 thousand/month “Consultation Services Agreement” was tabled until a counter-proposal could be made to KTB Consultants, LLC that included an hourly rate for the services provided.

KTB Consultants, LLC is Arcadia’s Town Clerk, Theresa Burris, said Jonesboro mayor Leslie Thompson. The Louisiana Secretary of State’s website lists no KTB Consultants, LLC, but does have a record for KTB Ventures, LLC, of Quitman. Burris is listed as an officer of that company.

Most of the 30 minute discussion focused on Burris’ qualifications, the proposed pay, and how many hours she would be working.

Alderman-at-Large LaStevic Cottonham questioned what the hourly rate would be based on the $10 thousand/month, three month contract.

Asked Cottonham, “If we were to do the terms based on the per hour charge, what is she charging per hour? Thirty thousand dollars is a lot of money to be shelling out.”

As Burris is Arcadia’s full-time town clerk, it was estimated during the discussion that she might work two hours a day during the week, with possible weekend work.

Cottonham also raised the question of whether or not Jonesboro’s paid office staff was competent to do their jobs.

Thompson said they were.

It was disclosed during the discussion that Reda Houston, an accountant, no longer worked for the town. She had been rehired by Fiscal Administrator Bill Ryder last summer, after being fired by Thompson earlier in the year.

In addition to the pay rate, District B’s Renee Stringer questioned whether KTB had liability insurance, and how much liability the town might be assuming in case of errors and omissions. Stringer also questioned whether Burris had run the town’s payroll two weeks ago. Thompson and Town Clerk David Dill denied that Burris had done the payroll, but did admit she had assisted on some accounting errors.

Stringer’s motion to table included language to make a counter-proposal to KTB that includes an hourly rate, the proposed hours to be worked, and travel reimbursement figures.

Cottoham seconded, and Charla Mason-Thompson (District C) voted with Stringer and Cottonham. Opposing the motion was District D’s Devin Flowers.

In other business, the board also tabled an effort to reimburse Animal Control Officer Roger Curry’s $1 thousand expenses for travel. Curry claimed that he used his personal vehicle to transport dead animals to Monroe for disposal at that city’s animal control facility.

There were questions about proper documentation for the expenses, and whether there was enough money in that department’s travel budget to pay reimbursement. Thompson said the budget would have to be amended.

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