Admin and finance committee recommends procedural changes, addresses disputed animal citation and comp time

The Hot Springs administrative and finance committee met Aug. 11 and forwarded several recommendations and informational items to the full council, including a proposed change to the council meeting time, a proposed retitling of an assistant finance position, a recommended partial waiver of a disputed animal-control fine and discussion of comp time policies.

The committee recommended changing the regular council meeting start time to 5:30 p.m. and forwarding that change for full-council review and an ordinance revision if adopted. The committee also discussed retitling the assistant finance officer position to deputy finance officer and media and digital communications coordinator effective Jan. 1, 2026, and clarified the proposal includes a $5-per-hour increase in the wage scale for that position.

On a contested animal-control citation at 2428 Lincoln Avenue, the committee recommended waiving 50% of the fine — reducing the assessed amount from $191.00 to $95.50 — if paid within 30 days, otherwise reverting to the full amount and referral to collections. The committee asked the city administrator to draft letters to Battle Mountain Humane Society and the dog owner.

Members debated comp time policies. The mayor said he supports adding comp time options and shared examples; the finance officer, Misty Summers Walton, said that employees who work overtime should be paid overtime and cited FLSA requirements. The committee agreed department heads should manage overtime and planned further discussion at a department-head meeting.

The committee also noted a recommended $1,500 contingency for finance travel and that final 2026 budgets were distributed to departments and council. The committee adjourned at 2:40 p.m.; its next meeting was scheduled for Sept. 8, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at the Mueller Civic Center.