Osbourn officially hired as town manager

WEST SILOAM SPRINGS, Okla.-- Board of trustees voted to officially hire Kathy Osbourn as the West Siloam Springs town manager at their regular meeting on Monday.

The board of trustees also voted to allow Mayor Elaine Carr, Vice Mayor Larry Williams and City Attorney Jot Hartley to negotiate Osbourn's salary and benefits. The salary and benefit package will be approved by the board of trustees at their next meeting on Aug. 10.

The board of trustees previously voted to offer Osbourn the job and allow the mayor and city attorney to negotiate her salary at a special meeting on Thursday. A total of nine candidates applied for the job and seven were interviewed during an executive session at a special meeting on July 6.

On Monday, Hartley said that Osbourn will continue to be able to serve as town clerk, an elected position, and as town manager. Hartley explained that Osbourn can hold both positions under Oklahoma law because the town clerk does not have a vote on the board of trustees and the town manager position is appointed and not elected. If the duties of the two positions overlap, the town clerk position will take precedence.

Carr explained that West Siloam Springs is growing and has lots of potential for future growth. A town manager is needed to oversee the growth and the increasing responsibilities that come with it.

The town manager's job responsibilities include managing governmental affairs of the numerous departments, board, authorities and commissions; reporting the town's financial condition to the board of trustees each month; and general supervision of department heads.

Osbourn said she plans to begin work as town manager around Sept. 1.

In other business, the board of trustees discussed hiring a certified public accountant for the city's annual audit. Osbourn and Williams said that in previous years, the CPA hired for the job was late completing their work, causing the city to have to wait several months to receive their tax receipts. They asked if the CPA could be penalized for returning their audit work in late.

Carr explained there are only a few CPAs in the state that handle the type of work the city needs done.

Hartley suggested adding a penalty clause to the contract, charging the CPA 5 percent of their fee if the audit is turned after Dec. 31, 2017.

Other actions taken at the board of trustees meeting included:

• Approved occupational licenses for Garmen Trucking LLC and Cup of Morning Joe.

• Approved the yearly evaluation of officer Skyler Sellers.

• Approved a variance allowing two dwellings on an eight-acre lot owned by Clyde McClelland with the stipulation that both dwellings must be owner occupied.

• Amended city code section 16.6 in the personnel handbook to include stepmother and stepfather.

• Approved the renewal of the town's contract with Kris Kirk, certified public accountant.

• Approved the construction of 230 linear feet of six-inch water line.

• Approved a purchase order in the amount of $83,693.

• Approved moving town board of trustees meetings to 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month, starting on Aug. 10.

After the board of trustees meeting, a municipal authority meeting was held. The municipal authority is a public trust that governs the water and sewer services, Hartley said. The board of trustees reaffirmed many of the decisions made in their regular meeting, including the hiring of Osbourn, the renewal of Kirk's contract and the approval of the construction of 230 linear feet of water line. Municipal authority meetings will also be moved to the second Thursday of the month, starting on Aug. 10.

Other actions taken at the municipal authority meeting included:

• Voted to approve providing water service to the Rodney Poteet residence as long as the owners agree to their property being annexed into the city of West Siloam Springs.

• Voted to approve a purchase order in the amount of $74,230.

General News on 07/19/2017