So things are still not adding up, and I'm just as lost as ever. Let me start at the bottom of the board and work my way up.
Check 88321 - $421.30 - The amount paid to Borrer Electric Services for work performed at 215 Smith Street. The Location is owned not by the city but by Suzy Hicks. The invoice #2391 is ok'd by DH. Why is the city paying for a private citizens bill?
Reimburstment for $9185.52 to pay for moving expenses for Mr. Huseman, not in March 2008 when he moved here, but December 2010 for a move in November 2010. Now his contract said he was suppose to be here with in 1 month of the contract, so why would we be paying for any amounts in 2010? Not only does this not add up, but the fact that his ex-wife moved about that time is in the least suspicious. It still doesn't add up why he got reimbursed for a move almost 3 years after he moved here. Unethical is the least of it. But is it criminal? I have requested through Freedom of Information Act the detailed invoice from the city. This reimbursement went against city policy for reimbursement, and yet we paid it. The city needs to IMMEDIATELY submit a disputed charge. If it is not for Mr. Husemans stuff from Colorado to Gonzales, then we do not owe Mayflower. If it is, then we don't owe it. Either way we are not responsible for a 3 year old move.
$66766.50 - Mr. Husemans final paycheck breaks down as follows:
Pay increase retroactive to April 1, 2010 - $88,842.00
Current Salary - $85,000.00
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3,842.00
Retroactive Pay 4/1/10 - 1/21/11 - $3,115.70
Current Payperiod (7 days @ $42.71/hr) - $2,391.76
Termination and Severance Pay
6 Months of Salary @ $7,403.50 per month - $44,421.00
Travel Allowance for 6 Months - $ 3,000.00
Vacation Accrued from 3/31/08 to 1/31/2011
@ $42.71 (340 Hours less 16 hours used) - $13,838.04
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Gross Pay - $66,766.50
Health Benefits will be provided at City Expense under Cobre for the next 6 months.
So let's start with the easy question. Who the heck gets a pay raise after they were fired? Especially after 2 councilmen submitted a 'no step promotion' evaluation, and a 3rd didn't turn one in. So there could NOT have been a majority vote for a step promotion on the council. And honestly a pay raise two days AFTER you get fired? Mayor, it sure sounds like you're pushing your ethics just a bit don't you think? Let's jab one more time at the 3 council members that voted out your henchman? I want to hear how this good christian man (cause that's all I hear from the Mayors supporters is what a good christian man he is), could unethically if not illegally signed a check that granted a pay raise that was not authorized by the city council? A copy of this check with the Mayors signature was also asked for in the FOIA request along with any documentation that granted Mr. Cavaso the right to give that pay raise.
Then comes the travel allowance of 6 months. I understand if his contract granted Mr. Huseman 6 months pay, but 6 months travel after he's left the employment of the city? Really? $3,000 for travel that will not occur for the city? How can we in any way shape or form justify that expense?
In 3 years here Mr. Huseman missed 2 days of work? Maybe my memory is bad, but seems to me he took time to go move his family down to Gonzales. I also can't believe in 3 years he didn't take any time off. You know if anyone could put Mr. Huseman not at work for more than those 16 hours, it's falsifying government documents.
Mr. Husemans contract and termination salary is based upon his performance and actions. The mayor circumvented the taxpayers opportunity to insure we were treated fairly. I want to stress, I figured that Mr. Huseman would get his $44k, but a payraise, travel, and 340 hours of vacation? Btw, the Mayor attempted to get additional sick leave paid against city policy and Mr. Cavaso held firm, thank goodness!
We need to call in the Texas Rangers and perform a forensic audit. The Rangers are there for purposes like this. They will do one of 2 things. 1) clear the name of those in question, 2) make sure justice is done, and charges filed if there were wrong doings without local bias or pressure. The forensic audit will trace money that is in question. Moneys from the JB Wells, Money internally like the 9K+ charge, etc. will be traced. Again, either to clear up these matters or to allow us to recoup or money through criminal charges or civil suits.
We the citizens of Gonzales deserve real answers to these questions. I'm wondering how many more question are there, and we just don't know them yet.
God Bless,
Dennis Nesser
Maybe someone needs to print out that org chart on the 2010 audit report and give it to the mayor.
ReplyDeleteI strongly feel silence is speaking volumes. When questions consistently are not answered a person has no choice but to become suspicious. It is our right to have accountability, plain and simple. I have e-mailed my councilman three times with questions since Mr. Huseman's severance pay was issued and no response to date.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, did anyone else notice on the 2010 statement of net assets where several funds had current bank overdraft liabilities at March 31,2010?
As far as the city owned credit card, in addition to wanting to know the pick up and delivery locations of the Mayflower charge in November 2010, I would also like to know if there are any unathorized charges from the time of that statement to the date that hopefully the city had the account closed or had Mr. Huseman's name removed.
Also, were the financial terms regarding termination of Mr. Huseman's employment contract booked as liabilities in the year of his employment and subsequent employment years and were they budgeted for to include the severance pay, pay increases, annual accrued vacation pay, future and/or unrealized travel allowances, as well as unredeemed relocation expenses on a year-to-year basis? If they weren't then shouldn't the city council ammend the 2010 budget to reflect Mr. Huseman's severance pay package before the year end audit and adopting a new budget?
I hope his cell phone was collected from his as well.
And, I declare I had no idea that in addition to the stipend the city council and mayor receive they also receive paid health and life insurance.
I'll say reviewing the financial statement on the city website was an interesting read.
I also wanted to add that if the ex-city manager is found to have (for example) violated the terms of his employment contract involving gross misconduct he is not eligible for continuation of insurance benefits under the COBRA act.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, I have attempted numerous times since February 6, 2011, to contact my city councilman through the City of Gonzales website @ info@cityofgonzales.org as provided on the city council webpage. After waiting since the 6th with no response, I emailed 9 (NINE) other departments at the city this morning at 7:45 am(2/15/11) asking for direction on this contact email and for a reply from anyone of them to verify that indeed this email is operational. Four and a half hours later none of the nine have responded. These included: 'financedirector@cityofgonzales.org'; 'citysecretary@cityofgonzales.org'; 'citymanager@cityofgonzales.org'; 'info@cityofgonzales.org'; 'commservices@cityofgonzales.org'; 'revcol@cityofgonzales.org'; 'accounting@cityofgonzales.org'; 'municipalcourt@cityofgonzales.org'; 'parks&recreation@cityofgonzales.org'.
ReplyDeleteI guess they're all busy.
Pam guess this is an indication of how our city is being run. You would thing one of them would respond to let you know they received your message and it was forwarded. God help this city!!
ReplyDeleteThe e-mails work, or at least Husemans did. Now it took him a week or more to respond, but he did respond. Two city council members have other e-mail addresses, Ask your councilman for his business card. Maybe his contact info will be on it.
ReplyDeletePam I am glad you are searching out the facts for yourself, unlike others that just say the three council members were wrong, and share that with others. If light is ever truly shown on this issue the other two members should be ashamed of their actions against the citizens of Gonzales. There remain so many more unhanded actions that continue to happen every day and no one will be held accountable as long as such actions by the mayor continue. (calling out those that want light on his actions)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you need to run for your councilman’s seat since he is unresponsive. You have learned more in a couple weeks about Gonzales finances and policies than he will ever understand and you seem to at least care about what has been happening to those of us that can’t afford more corruption.
Rose B.