Resident asks Bull Shoals council to review City Treasurer after alleged late payments

A resident at the March 26 Bull Shoals City Council meeting formally asked the council to review and possibly replace the City Treasurer, alleging late payments, incorrect withholding and a lack of timely financial reporting that the resident said poses a financial risk to the city. The request was made during the public-comment portion of the meeting and recorded by the council.

The office manager told the council that the current administration discovered more than $30,000 in unpaid water bills dating to a previous administration; those accounts were later set up for payment and liens were placed on properties, the office manager said. The minutes record the amount as "over 30 thousand dollars," which the council treated as an approximate figure.

Council members did not record a formal vote on removing or disciplining the treasurer during the meeting. Council discussion of the allegation emphasized the need for financial accountability and accurate reporting; Councilman Meinking and Councilman Bolen had earlier moved and seconded acceptance of the treasurer's report with Grede recorded as the lone dissenting vote on that acceptance.

Next steps were not specified in the minutes. The council did not record a motion at the meeting to open a formal personnel review or compel an external audit; minutes indicate the matter was raised in public comment for the council's consideration.

The City Treasurer was referenced by role only in the minutes; no individual name was provided in the transcript for the person in that office.