By Jason C. Mattox

Batesville aldermen met with CPA Bill Crawford of Will Polk and Associates Tuesday afternoon to discuss financial questions pertaining to overtime, the city’s pay schedule and use of city-owned vehicles.

Overtime pay for salaried employees was the first topic discussed during the work session.

“We have some salaried employees who are salaried that punch a clock,” Crawford said. “You can still pay a salaried person overtime.

“You always have the option to pay overtime unless an employee meets an exception that says you don’t have to pay overtime,” he continued.

Crawford explained that if an employee has the responsibility of overseeing a department and can make recommendations of hiring and firing they can be considered executives and that would mean the city is not required to pay overtime in addition to the annual salary.

“In the past, you have paid overtime to your superintendents,” he said. “You don’t have to, but there is nothing that says you can’t do it.”

Mayor Jerry Autrey asked about salaried employees who are intentionally working overtime, or “riding the clock.”

“If you catch the situation and correct it, you are not required to pay the overtime, but if you allow it, you owe it,” Crawford said.

Crawford then explained that the city’s pay schedule could be putting more work on payroll clerks than needed.

“Right now, you have some employees paid weekly, some twice-monthly and some monthly,” he said. “That means you are handling payroll every week.”

Crawford suggested going to twice-monthly payroll for all employees and added that the city could require direct deposit.

“The only problem when we wanted to do this before is the employees that are getting weekly checks,” City Clerk Laura Herron said.

“You have some people who are living paycheck to paycheck, and you need to be able to give them notice before you proceed,” Crawford said.

Mayor Jerry Autrey suggested requiring all new hires to be paid twice-monthly and be direct deposit.

The final topic of the work session was the personal use of city property.

“You have employees who are always on call, and incidental use is expected,” Crawford said.

Crawford explained incidental use as stopping by the grocery store on the way home.

“It doesn’t mean it would be OK for employees to use a city backhoe if they fill it up with diesel,” he said.

“You are not a small town anymore,” Crawford said. “You are one of the largest businesses around, and it needs to run that way.”

No action was taken during the work session.