Council OKS Splitting Clerk, Treasurer Positions

Yard Sale Policy Changed From 2 To 3 Days

PRAIRIE GROVE — The City Council on Monday finally adopted an ordinance to separate the city clerk and treasurer positions but now the city is looking for qualified persons who are interested in taking on the responsibilities.

Carol Pair has served as the elected city clerk/treasurer since January 1979. She announced her retirement earlier this year and will resign from the elected position mid-term on July 31.

In deciding how to handle Pair's resignation, the council opted to separate the two positions. The ordinance abolishes the combined office and spells out duties for each position separately. The city clerk will be a four-year elected office and the treasurer will be a fouryear appointed position.

The ordinance states that the city clerk's responsibilities will be to take minutes for city council meetings and to have custody of all city laws and city ordinances.

The city treasurer will be required to submit a detailed statement of the financial condition of the city to the council on a quar- terly basis and also will be responsible for maintaining records of income, expenses, assets and liabilities for all city funds.

The city clerk will receive $100 per month and the treasurer's position will receive $50 per month.

State law allows the city council to appoint someone to fill the city clerk's position for the remainder of Pair's term through December 2014.

City officials have said one person could be appointed to fill both positions or two different persons could be appointed to the jobs. However, both positions require residency within the Prairie Grove city limits.

Larry Oelrich, director of administrative services and public works, said no one has expressed an interest yet in the positions. Anyone who is interested can contact Mayor Sonny Hudson at 846-3038.

In other action Monday, the council placed an ordinance on second reading to refer a question to the voters that would allow the alderman positions to go from two-term terms to four-year terms. If the council approves the ordinance, the question would be on

the November general election ballot.

Oelrich gave a summary of purchases for parks and recreation using $101,000 left over from its aquatic center bond issue. The bond issue has been retired but the remaining balance had to be used for parks and recreation expenses.

The purchases included the following: almost $11,000 for a John Deere Gator, $9,337 for bleachers, $10,262 for pool furniture, $18,973 for two new pool slides, $10,000 for miscellaneous improvements at the baseball fields, $ 10,945 for a new mower and $9,000 for 20-foot solar lights for the walking trail at Rieff Park.

In all, the city has spent $ 88,871 , according to Oelrich. The council gave its verbal approval Monday for Oelrich to purchase a small playground for Rieff Park. Oelrich estimated the playground would cost about $12,000.

The council also approved an ordinance to amend its yard sale policy.

Residents now will be able to hold yard sales for three consecutive days, instead of two. Citizens are allowed a total of four yard sales per year.