Accounting firm stops providing services for the city

by Kelly Costa

The accounting firm of Kerber, Eck and Braeckel informed the city of Staunton that they will cease their services as the city's accountants in a letter entered into the public record at the city council meeting on Monday night.

They will wrap up their accounting tenure upon completion of the city's 2021 audit. The letter from the accounting firm stated that they don't feel they can continue to provide the level of services that the city requires. During the transition, Kerber, Eck and Braeckel said they will cooperate with a new accounting firm when the city employs one.

In other business, a grievance resolution agreement was reached between the city and Laborers' International Union of North America Local 338, and Brandon Lesemann. In the agreement the city agrees to pay Lesemann the sum of $3,851.41, minus the applicable payroll deductions, in settlement of the grievance filed on his behalf between the parties effective May 1, 2017, through April 30, 2022.

The city council received a letter from Zion Lutheran Church requesting to use Fireman’s Park on Sunday, July 31, for their annual church picnic and to have the park rental fee waived. The council approved the request.

The council also received a request from Robin Stranimeier representing the Staunton Lions Club to use the Fireman’s Park on Saturday, April 16, for their annual Easter egg hunt. They would be using the park from approximately 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and would like to have the park rental fee waived. The request was approved.

In Utilities and Water, the council approved payment of an invoice from John H. Crawford & Associates for a land application permit for sludge from the water treatment plant for $2,860.

The collector's report included the following:

Utility tax - MJM Electric Cooperative $718.87; Ameren Illinois $30,954.37;

Staunton Police Department - Reports $35; Ordinance violations $200.

Claims included expenditures of $27,839.22; payroll of $59,037.90; and manual checks of $1,045.43.

A business license was issued to Dawg House Creamery. Raffle licenses were issued to Staunton Band Boosters and to Macoupin County Patriots Friends of NRA.

Those present for the meeting were Mayor Craig Neuhaus, City Clerk Dennis Stiegemeier, Treasurer Cindy Pirok, Public Works Director Mike Kuethe, Police Chief Jeff Doerr, aldermen Jeff Scanzoni, Rick Johnson, Chad Plenske, Ryan Machota, John Moore, David Manning, and David Dias. Alderman Randy Hanks and City Attorney Phil Lading attended electronically. The next city council meeting will be on Monday, March 14, at 7 p.m.