The City of Indianola will advertise for the vacant city clerk’s position after all.
The mayor and board of aldermen met on Thursday afternoon to interview candidate Lisa Wynn and consider the current Maben town clerk for the job, but a 3-0 vote to advertise put the hire on hold, at least for now.
The clerk’s position became vacant last Friday after former city clerk Kaneilia Williams gave her letter of resignation to the city late the prior week.
This was the second time in one week that Wynn made the trip from her home in Starkville to Indianola to meet the board.
During a late Friday call meeting last week, only Mayor Ken Featherstone, Ward 3 Alderman Ruben Woods and Ward 4 Alderman Marvin Elder were in attendance, leaving the body without a quorum.
Ward 2 Alderman Darrell Simpson joined Woods and Elder this week, with Ward 1 Alderman Gary Fratesi and Ward 5 Alderman Sam Brock absent from the proceedings.
It was revealed in the meeting on Thursday that at least three current Indianola city employees had been offered a chance to interview for the clerk’s position, but all declined, according to Featherstone.
“All three are not interested in the position,” he noted during a discussion about advertising for the new clerk.
After Wynn made a brief statement to the board and answered a host of questions, Featherstone seemed ready to put it to a vote.
But Woods was hesitant.
“I don’t know if we’re ready to put it to a vote yet. I want to table it until further notice,” Woods said.
Featherstone asked for a reason.
“Actually, I’m leaning toward maybe advertising. I think we need to,” Woods said.
Simpson concurred.
“I really enjoyed listening to (Wynn) talk, but I do think we need to advertise this position, just to be fair to everyone,” Simpson said. “I understand that we’re in a crunch right now.”
Simpson suggested contracting with an accounting firm that has worked with the city before to make sure the city’s books are in order during the advertising period.
“I suggest that we hire the accounting firm from Greenville that we had before to help us with our books until we get a person in this place, whether it be Mrs. Lisa or someone else,” he said.
Elder suggested that even if the board did vote to advertise, Wynn could still be used in the meantime.
“If she can work as an interim while you’re doing the advertising, that is another option,” Elder said. “You really need somebody on a day-to-day basis to help you. We’re already behind. We’re about to be six years behind with audits coming up now.”
Woods said the deputy clerks that are currently in city hall have enough experience to serve in the interim.
During the interview with Wynn, Simpson asked her a few questions about her experience and education, and Wynn told him, as she told the informal gathering last Friday that she is a Certified Municipal Officer and is currently in the latter stages of completing her municipal clerk’s certification.
She also added that she is bonded.
Featherstone asked Wynn about what immediate impact she might have when it comes to getting the water department in order.
Wynn suggested she would do whatever it takes to make sure all departments are running smoothly.
“As a city clerk, you need to know whatever the duties are of that deputy that works in the water department,” she said. “You need to know the duties and the responsibilities of someone who works in Human Resources. It is very important. You need to know the responsibilities of someone who makes payroll. Because if something happens to that person, your operations need to continue.”
Elder asked Wynn if she was comfortable working some weekends in order to stay caught up.
“Yes, I’m flexible for working on Saturdays,” Wynn said.
The board eventually voted to advertise the position, which was followed by a motion to contract with an accounting firm to shore up some of the work at city hall. That motion was made by Simpson and also passed 3-0.
