More on Jonesboro Council Meeting

The first half of yesterday’s meeting of Jonesboro’s Board of Alderman was taken up by a report by J. Walker & Company’s Jonald Walker III, and his failed attempts to audit the town’s books. The meeting was delayed about 20 minutes from the scheduled Noon time, due to lack of a quorum. Finally, District C’s Charla Mason-Melton joined Alderman-at-large LaStevic Cottonham and District D’s Devin Flower, to allow the meeting to begin.

Walker explained that as an independent auditor, he could only offer an opinion on the town’s finances as presented to him, and could not act as the town’s accountant. He noted that the FY 2011-2012 time period he was examined was rife with inaccurate journal entries, and that many questions he had of the staff as to how a number was arrived at could not be answered.

Walker said that in order to have an accurate opinion, you have to have accurate numbers.

Said Walker, “If you’re not even willing to make your opening balances right, how do we get to the ending numbers to render an opinion.”

However, Walker did say that the personnel now employed by the town may have a better grasp of their duties than those formerly employed.

In other business, the board introduced the FY 2013-2014 proposed General Fund and Enterprise Fund (water, sewer) budgets. As we noted in our news story yesterday, a public hearing is set for 6/25/13, 5:30 PM.

The board also approved an amendment for the original 2012-2013 Enterprise Fund, but not without a bit of discussion.

As has been the case for nearly every Jonesboro meeting that we have covered for the past three years, none of the council had seen the budgetary documents prior to the meeting. Nor had the Enterprise Fund Amendment been reviewed at a public hearing, as is required by the Louisiana Local Government Budget Act (LLGBA).

But, as we learned last week, the town’s controversial mayor Leslie Thompson says he can pick which laws to obey.

This must be one of those unnecessary laws.

Mason-Melton noted that she had not seen the amendment, and that some of the department heads also had no input for the changes.

Asked Mason-Melton, “Why wasn’t this included in our packet that we had delivered, so we could look over it?”

Mayor Thompson replied that they had just completed the amendment earlier in the day.

“Mayor, if Shaky (Water Department Head “Shaky” Green) hasn’t had the opportunity to look at it, what is the need to do it now?” Mason-Melton also asked. “We only got it today,” she added.

Finally, after more discussion, Flowers made the motion, with Mason-Melton seconding. It passed unanimously.

During the discussion mayor Thompson said it may be necessary to raise water rates to cover possible budget shortfalls.

$1,200/Yr Council Raise in Jonesboro Budget Next Year

A pay raise of $1,200/year for each of the five Town of Jonesboro Board of Aldermen is included in the Fiscal Year 2013-2014 General Fund Budget introduced earlier this afternoon at a special called meeting of the board.

Last year’s FY 2012-2013 budget allocated $30 thousand total for council salaries, while the new budget calls for $36 thousand. That amounts to a total $1,200 yearly raise for each alderman, or from $500/month to $600/month.

A separate ordinance must be introduced and passed by the board to enact the raise.

Also included in the budget for next year is $180 thousand for the Jonesboro Police Department, which will only fund perhaps two personnel in addition to Chief Wesley Horton. Two years ago, the department’s yearly budget was near $800 thousand.

A public hearing on the proposed budget is set for Tuesday, June 25, 5:30 PM, W. Richard Zuber City Hall, 128 Allen Avenue.

We will have a complete report tomorrow on today’s meeting.

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Special Meeting Tomorrow – Jonesboro Town Council

A special called meeting of the Town of Jonesboro’s Board of Alderman will be held at Noon tomorrow (5/22), W. Richard Zuber City Hall, 128 Allen Avenue.

Here is the agenda.

Willie Joseph Convicted of Battery in Jonesboro – Witnesses May Have Perjured Themselves

A Quitman, LA man was found guilty of simple battery in a bench trial that was held two weeks ago in Second Judicial (Bienville, Claiborne, Jackson Parishes) District Court in Jonesboro. Division B Judge Jimmy Teat presided.

Willie Joseph was arrested last August after an incident that occurred at a Board of Aldermen meeting at W. Richard Zuber City Hall in Jonesboro.

Wrote Teat in his Reasons for Judgement:

It is this Court’s opinion that when you take into consideration the totality of the testimony, defense exhibit D-1, and State exhibit S-1, it is clear that the State of Louisiana has carried its burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and therefore the Defendant is found guilty of simple battery.

Also notable is the implication that two of the defense witnesses may have testified falsely for the defense.

Again, if you concentrate on the video (DVD) that the defendant introduced into evidence it clearly shows that Mrs. (Janice) Simmons could not have seen or heard anything that happened because she was not where she’s testified she was because she was still either in her chair in the meeting room or still in the meeting room, this Court has already referred to, at least six minutes after the incident occurred.

As to the testimony of Franciscus Jackson he also testified under oath that he immediately after the meeting walked out into the hallway by the water fountain and testified that at that time he saw Willie Joseph in the hallway next to the water fountain right in his proximity. (See lines four through ten). He also continued in his testimony to indicate that if anything would have happened next to the water fountain as alleged he would’ve saw it and as a matter of fact testified under oath that he never saw it. If you again clearly look at the video (DVD) that was introduced by the defendant at approximately 1:46:31 of the video (DVD) it shows Franciscus Jackson appear from the bottom right corner of the video (DVD) which clearly indicates he had not ever left the meeting room after the meeting was over which is totally contrary to his testimony under oath.

If you review the testimony of Janice Simmons and Franciscus Jackson it is clear that nothing they testified to is corroborated by either the video (DVD) and/or the CD.

The video was introduced into evidence by the defense, while the audio was introduced by the prosecution.

See here the document.

Prosecuting the case was Assistant District Attorney Benjamin Durrett. Monroe attorney Louis Scott defended.

Homer, LA Update – 5/17/13

(Homer, LA) Guardian-Journal – 5/2/13

Police budget hearing May 16
Chief Mills confronts Homer mayor about budget, hiring issues

(Homer, LA) Guardian-Journal – 5/9/13

Councilwoman, Homer police chief hit standoff regarding records request
Questions arise regarding town’s healthcare coverage
Public records requests for water bill adjustments received

Jonesboro Council Approves Gate City Agreement

Two other significant actions took place at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Town of Jonesboro’s Board of Aldermen: approval of the long-delayed Gate City sewerage project, and approval to engage J. Walker & Company for review of the town’s finances for fiscal year 2012-2013. Quite a bit of debate preceded 4-1 the votes, however.

District B’s Renee Stringer renewed her objections to contracting with Walker & Co. until he fulfilled his contract for last year’s review. Stringer said part of the contract required him to appear before the council and answer questions, which he has not done. Stringer noted that the council previously voted unanimously to require Walker to appear, and that no future contract with him be agreed to until he fulfilled his part of the prior agreement.

The council tabled the item, but then realized that if they did not engage an auditor, then the Gate City agreement they were about to discuss could not be approved. One of the requirements of that agreement was that an auditor sign off on the project from time to time.

With that, the council reversed itself and approved hiring Walker, with the provision that Walker report to the council on last year’s report. Stringer voted no.

The Gate City Sewer District Chair Christina Hodnett and Jackson Parish Police Juror Lynn Treadway (Ward 7) were on hand for the discussion on the sewer project and answered several questions about the project.

Stringer again pointed out that in her view the grant to fund the project would not be legal, since the town was on the Legislative Auditor’s non-compliance list, and that she could not vote for it.

Then came a slip of the tongue from town attorney Doug Stokes that may have revealed how the law was skirted. It was in response to a question to him about how he thought the agreement.

Said Stokes, “Instead of the town getting the (grant) money (to fund the project), the bank gets the money. Now, that may be the fig – and I don’t use the word fig leaf – that may be the thing that gets it out of the town being on the noncompliance list. It basically puts the bank in the position of handling the money.”

After a bit more discussion, the council voted to approve the agreement, with Stringer voting no.

In other business during the regular meeting, the council approved the budget ordinance (#714) that was re-amended at the last minute. The vote was 3-1-1, with Stringer voting no and District A’s Sam Lamkin abstaining.

There was also a good bit of discussion about potentially vicious dogs. A resident in Lamkin’s district suggested that some pit bulls that were kept on chains should actually be inside a penned enclosure, due to their aggressive behavior toward passers-by.

The council agreed to further discuss the issue in future meetings.

Gibsland Update – 5/16/13

Bienville sheriff: Missing money at heart of Gibsland Town Hall raid

Sheriff John Ballance says its investigation was prompted by the findings by state auditors that records were missing. The warrant came after the town allegedly failed to turn over the requested records. “We decided the best way to get all the records we needed was to get a search warrant on city hall this morning,” said Ballance.

Ballance says that thousands of dollars are missing from the town’s coffers, and that the town owes the IRS $80,000.00 in payroll and other taxes. Ballance says money was taken out of employee paychecks but never made it to their destination.

Mayor Pro Tem and Alderman Marketris Jones claims the financial problems began when Odell Key took office again in 2011. “Mayor Key to me doesn’t have any respect for the law, one thing he likes to say it’s his way or no way,” said Jones and adds around 2011, the alderman began noticing unexplainable large cash transfers from the town account.

Jones notified authorities, leading to several investigations. “Yes I do think there is a mis-use of public funds,” said Jones. But with no paper trail, investigators say it’s difficult to find where the missing money went. But Sheriff Ballance is determined to find answers. “We’ve got people on one side saying, and people on the other side saying another thing. somewhere in the middle we hope we are going to get the truth.”

Bienville deputies raid Gibsland Town Hall

GIBSLAND — Mayor Odell Key threatened in a recent letter to state officials to close the doors to Town Hall. Wednesday, he got his wish. But it wasn’t at his direction.

Complaints against the town’s operations are numerous, with alleged violations outlined by the state Legislative Auditor’s office in a report issued in February. Also concerning to Ballance are recent federal tax liens totaling more than $80,000.

“If the money was taken out of the employees’ checks, where did it go?” he asked. “You’ve got to give it to the proper agencies, and they don’t have it.”

The town also has more than $55,000 on the books from unpaid utility bills. Aldermen last year established a policy to stop cash payments of bills. However, it has continued.

Jonesboro Financial Report: Town Financial Personnel Not Knowledgeable

According to the cover letter for a financial report for the Town of Jonesboro’s 2011-2012 fiscal year, the town’s financial and accounting personnel “did not possess sufficient knowledge” to handle the town’s books. Other issues were also cited.

Because of inadequacies in the Town’s accounting records, we were unable to form an opinion regarding the amounts recorded as opening balances. The Town’s accounting personnel did not possess sufficient knowledge and skills in financial reporting resulting in numerous misstatements in the Town’s computerized accounting system. We were unable to confirm or verify by alternative means accounts payable and other payables of the Town. As of the date of our audit report, management was still in the process of rectifying issues with its financial reporting and correcting the misstatements. As a result of these matters, we were unable to determine whether any adjustments might have been found necessary in respect of recorded or unrecorded receivables, payables and other liabilities, and the elements making up the statements of revenues, expenditures and changes in fund balances.

See here the document.

More on 5/14/13 Jonesboro Council Meeting

Public Hearing on Proposed Ordinances

Last night’s meeting of the Town of Jonesboro’s Board of Aldermen was preceded by an hour-long public hearing on three proposed ordinances:

712 – Mayor’s Pay
713 – Use of Public Vehicles
714 – 2012/2013 Budget Amendment

Perhaps 2/3 of the meeting was taken up by the town’s controversial mayor Leslie Thompson’s speechifying.

Thompson began by declaring (like former President Richard Nixon) that he was not a crook, and that the pay raise he received over two years ago was completely legal. This, despite courts all the way up to the Louisiana State Supreme Court ruling otherwise.

Said Thompson, “I actually had the clerk to reduce my salary. To reduce it – not because we’d done anything wrong – because that matter will still go to court.” He added, “And when it gets to court, what they’ll be discussing – we’ll be discussing at that point is whether or not the town actually followed the rules and regs, and we did everything by law that you have to do to introduce an ordinance. The town – and I’m speaking from my perspective now – feels that we did everything by the law, and there will be no need for that to be overturned.”

The first citizen to speak was Bob Rubens, who asked Thompson why he was qualified such a raise in pay.

Thompson replied by citing former President Bill Clinton. Thompson said that Clinton had remarked recently that in order to be a good speaker, first you must be a good listener. Thompson went on, “A lot of the problems that we’ve had in this town, I think, has a lot to do with folks not being willing to listen.”

Rubens retorted that what he recalled about Clinton was that he “did not have sex with that woman.”

Said Rubens, “That’s the only thing I know him for, he lies through his teeth. If you want to associate with him, that’s up to you.”

On #713, the discussion mostly was about paying for personal use, mileage logs, and whether or not the mayor is “on call” 24 hours a day. Again, Thompson monopolized most of the time.

During the regular council meeting, #713 was tabled.

Discussion on ordinance #714, the budget amendment, held a surprise to the citizens and council.

Thompson presented an amendment to the amendment that had not been seen by the council, nor had it been published for public review. The new amendment had funding for one police officer and also matching money for a federal grant to seal-coat the airport.

Also to be funded was reinstatement of the City Court.

Last-minute budget amendments that had not been properly vetted was a losing issue for the mayor in the protracted court battle of Essmeier v Jonesboro.

More reporting later.

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Gibsland Town Hall Searched by Bienville Deputies

Bienville deputies raid Gibsland Town Hall

GIBSLAND — Business has resumed at Gibsland Town Hall following an early morning raid by the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Doors were locked shortly after 8 a.m. and remained so through 1 p.m. to allow deputies to carry out a search of the premises in connection with an ongoing investigation into possible misuse of public funds.

Sheriff John Ballance said his office obtained a search warrant based on the absence of records previously sought through court subpoenas. Deputies brought boxes to cart away documents listed in the warrant, including the official town ordinances, bank records, meeting minutes, tax information and a laundry list of other paperwork.

They also were authorized to download information from the hard drives of the office computers.

“We did not receive all of the information we asked for through subpoenas,” Ballance said. “It took us six weeks before when we subpoenaed records from the town and the bank. But we were at a point we needed all of this information before we could move into interviewing people in Town Hall.”

The town has been in financial disarray for more than two years, coinciding with Mayor Odell Key’s return to office in January 2011. Auditors during that time have been unable to issue complete reports because of the absence of records. The state Legislative Auditor’s office several months ago also indicated a lack of record-keeping when it came in to do an investigative audit.