Accountability in Government

There is a saying you get the government you deserve.  Well this just may be the case in the City of Boonville.  I take pride in being fiscally responsible with the taxpayer money, notice I did not say the Counties money.  The leaders of the City of Boonville probably cannot say the same.

Let me give you a little information about current events.  The Cooper County Clerk was refusing to extend the taxes to the County Collector unless the City of Boonville provided extra compensation for her (she already makes over $60,000 of taxpayer money).  State statutes support the idea the extension of these books is a function required of the County Clerk.  The Clerk said she did not have a contract with the City to extend the books and therefore would not.  It is well known the County Commission must approve all contracts with Cooper County.  It became apparent the Commission was probably not going to approve this contract citing state statutes.  The City of Boonville had a contract in the past with the Clerk and Collector to perform certain duties for the City with additional compensation.  This contract was assumed to have been cancelled in 2018 when the then Mayor, City Administrator and City Attorney entered negotiations to renegotiate their contract.  Those negotiations were between the Mayor, City Administrator, City Attorney, County Collector and County Commissioners.  The County Clerk at the time did not see the need for a contract thereby saving the City money.  The time line for the current events apparently all began the first part of October with a Statutory deadline for the extension of October 31.

The City of Boonville called a special council meeting to approve entering into a contract with the County Clerk, only one council person (Vanessa Dorman) voting no.  A meeting was set up with the County Commission for 9:00 am on October 31 between the City of Boonville and Clerk.  The County Clerk had not made the proper posting and any business regarding a contract could not and was not conducted. The individuals present were apparently provided copies of the statutes requiring the Clerk to extend the books and possible penalties if the function was not performed.    The meeting was rescheduled for Monday, November 4th at 3:00 pm.  This has since been removed. Late in the afternoon of the 31st the City Administrator sent an email to the Clerk and others saying they could not find information where the contract was voided and for the Clerk to proceed and would be compensated under the old contract.

Questions for discussion:

1.  Why would the Clerk approach the City regarding a new contract if a contract currently existed?

2.  Why would the City call a Special Council meeting to approve a new contract if a contract already existed?

3.  Why did the City enter contract negotiations early in 2018 if they did not intend for this to be the new contract?

4.  Why did the Clerk extend the tax books to the Collector and then remove the City of Boonville before deciding she wanted additional compensation?

In the following Statutes you will see the word SHALL used regarding duties of the Clerk.  You use your own best judgement as to whether or not the Clerk is required to perform those duties.