Bland alderman resigns Monday, two employees also leaving

Roxie Murphy, Staff Writer
Posted 8/14/19

Resignations came in threes at the Bland city meeting Monday night following a 7:46 p.m. closed session for personnel, as Rachel Anderson, city and court clerk, Deborah Sherman, treasurer, and …

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Bland alderman resigns Monday, two employees also leaving

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Resignations came in threes at the Bland city meeting Monday night following a 7:46 p.m. closed session for personnel, as Rachel Anderson, city and court clerk, Deborah Sherman, treasurer, and Alderman Josh Jarvis asked the board to approve their notices.

Mayor Lee Medlock said the resignations “struck him by surprise.”

“It started me asking questions, and lining things out with the clerk,” Medlock said. “We have quite a few applications and more coming in (for the clerks position).”

Both the clerk and treasurer submitted their official resignations and two-week notices on Aug. 7 to Medlock. The board chose not to convene prior to the scheduled Aug. 12 meeting to declare the positions vacant.

“We voted in closed session to have Alderman Diana Mayfield do the treasure’s position — deposits and payroll — for now,” Medlock said. “Sue Cole will be collecting water bills in the interim time until a clerk is hired.”

Medlock added that both Mayfield and Cole would be coming into the John L. Baxter Administration Building on Thursday, Aug. 15, and just Mayfield again on Friday, Aug. 16, to train with the clerk. The city will be advertising Anderson’s position, but not Sherman’s.

Anderson, who has been with the city for seven years, has served as the city clerk, court clerk and treasurer — sometimes all at once. She has accepted a city clerk’s position in Holts Summit.

“I believe this opportunity is a forward step in reaching my career goals,” Anderson said. “I do appreciate your attention and understanding at this time.”

Anderson told the board that she would inform the city’s professional contacts of her resignation as well, in hopes of making the transition smoother for the city.

“I will miss working with the council and the constituents of the city and hope that you all have much future success,” Anderson wrote.

Sherman addressed the mayor and board in her letter, “As you are aware, I have verbally given my two week notice of resignation from my position as city treasure for the city of Bland to the mayor as of Monday, Aug. 5.”

Sherman, who has been employed as city treasurer for about a month, said she has accepted a position in Jefferson City. 

“Thank you so much for the opportunity that you have given me to work for the city of Bland,” Sherman wrote.

Anderson said her official last day would be Aug. 21. Sherman noted that her verbal notice was given Aug. 5, so her last day would be Aug. 19. Following the board’s approval of the resignations with a 4-0 vote, Jarvis spoke.

“It’s my turn now,” Jarvis said. “We’ve been trying to sell our house for sometime, and it is now under contract.”

Jarvis’ wife, Mindy, has been ill with kidney failure and is on multiple lists to receive a transplant. However, Jarvis said his wife has struggled with the multiple stairs in their home. With the house under contract, they are planning to move outside of the Bland city limits.

“We are getting stuff worked out to rent in Belle, which means I have to step down because I am going to be living outside the city limits,” Jarvis explained. “It couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Jarvis said he did not type a letter, as he was unsure how to explain the situation or how the process would work, but he would submit one as soon as possible. Anderson asked what his effective date would be.

“Immediately?” Jarvis questioned. “I’m not going to be attending next month’s meeting, as it falls on my wife’s birthday.”

Anderson explained that because the clerk and treasurer both need to be taken off the checking account, and special meetings will need to be held to declare vacancies, it would be better if Jarvis’ effective date was Sept. 1.

“Sept. 1 then,” Jarvis said.

“When he submits an effective date, declare a vacancy on the board of aldermen,” Anderson told the board. “It needs to be done in a meeting and advertised at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.”

The board made a motion to remove Anderson and former treasurer Lyndsay Gray from the checking account and add Alderman Sherry Spradling.

Sherman had not been with the city long enough to be added to the checking account.

“As soon as you have a special meeting to approve the minutes of this meeting, you may take them to the bank and make the changes,” Anderson said. “Someone will need to create your draft minutes and regular minutes for you.”

The board voted 4-0 to post a notice and hold a special meeting Tuesday, Aug. 20 at the administration building, and approved Jarvis’ resignation. 

“We don’t have anyone in mind for the alderman seat,” Medlock said. “As for the clerk’s position, we hope to get someone qualified to do the work.”

Anyone interested in applying for the clerk’s position or filling the alderman’s seat should contact city hall.